Bio



My love for the sounds of the classical guitar grew from the artistry of Julian Bream. The impressive tonal range and emotional force he conveys inspired me to pick up the classical guitar soon after finishing high school in the USA. I began by working my way through Fredrick Noad’s Solo Guitar Playing and have been a dedicated player ever since.

I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, and been captivated with sound, through both music and languages. Thus building my own guitar seemed a natural idea. So in 2005, in the French village of Villemagne-l’Argentière I apprenticed with Thomas Knatt and discovered the art of lutherie. With Thomas’s help, I became aware of the guitar’s apparent simplicity: in essence a box built around a hole with strings stretched across it. However, at the same time I saw the tenacious attention to “details, details, details” necessary to craft a truly fine instrument.

Fascinated yet somewhat intimidated, I carefully researched handcrafting guitars during the next couple years. In 2007 I built another guitar with my father, an accomplished furniture and cabinet maker. Holding that completed guitar in my hands, I knew I had found a passion and a path.

I am now based in Valencia, Spain –  a city with a strong community of musical instrument builders. It has been a pleasure to learn more about wood from those who manage and process it, and to share insights with other luthiers. Extensive consultations with Jeffrey Elliott and Cyndy Burton have been a great source of inspiration, motivation, and knowledge. Talking with these experienced luthiers about wood selection, building techniques and French polishing has been fundamental in my pursuit of this vast, ever-evolving craft.