When I'm not in the workshop, you can often find me walking the beaches of Cape Cod with Cosi, the best workshop guard-dog anyone could ask for!
I grew up in Munich, Germany, where I spent much of my childhood playing cello and losing myself in recordings by Rostropovich, Jaqueline du Pré, and Pierre Fournier. In my early teens, I became fascinated with my instrument -- an old Mittenwald 7/8 size cello -- and began reading about the history and art of violinmaking. I was hooked, and several years later left home to attend the Mittenwald School of Violinmaking.
After graduation, my journeyman years saw me spending time in Bavaria and Holland, where I focused on building new baroque instruments. After several years and in search of more focused restoration experience, I crossed the Atlantic and settled in New York City. I spent the next couple decades working for renowned shops on the metropolitan east coast, making and restoring fine instruments for an international clientele.
In 2016, I relocated to Cape Cod to live a life close to nature and the outdoors. Here, I can draw inspiration from the beauty of the New England coast and work with undistracted concentration and dedication. When not on the Cape, I spend my time teaching restoration courses and participating in repair workshops around the world.
