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Having spent time in my fathers workshop I began making musical instruments at the age of fifteen. I went on to study with Arthur Robb (lutes) for two years whilst studying music at Bath Spa University College and have since been working in Wiltshire specialising in early bowed strings. My grandfather was also a violin maker and repairer and left me all his tools, notes and books. I have 15 years of experience in building a variety stringed instruments and as well as my advertised models, I am always happy to take on any serious challenge!
Where possible I like to work with local materials and my stock often icludes sycamore, pear, plum, laburnum, holly and boxwood. I also use local timber suppliers for hardwoods although my spruce for soundboards comes from specialist suppliers.

Among others both in the UK and abroad my instruments are played by:

Giles Lewin, Susanna Pell & William Lyons (The Dufay Collective) Hazel Brooks (Trobairitz, Concanentes, The Boston Camerata) Rebecca Austen-Brown (Mediva, Tintagel) Nancy Hadden (Circa 1500) Al Cofrin (Istanpitta) José Manuel Hernandez (Trio Baryton de Madrid)

Recordings
{short description of image} Baryton Trio de Madrid
Divertimentos for baryton, viola & cello
JF Haydn
Arsis
Dufay Collective - Music for Alfonso the Wise

 The Dufay Collective (featuring cantiga and waisted vielles)
Music for Alfonso the Wise
Harmonia Mundi (HMU907390) 2005
Dufay Collective - Cancinoero

 The Dufay Collective (featuring a waisted vielle)
Cancionero
Dufay Collective Label (Avie Catalogue Number: AV0005) 2002
Boston Camerata - A Mediterranean Christmas The Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen
A Mediterranean Christmas
Songs of celebration from Spain, Provence, Italy & the Middle East, 1200 - 1900
Warner Classics (ASIN: B000AV3R5E) 2005

Bardos Band - Dreamsongs
Bardos Band (featuring a waisted vielle)
Dreamsongs
Trobaritz (Hazel brooks, vielle & Faye Newton, voice)
The language of Love


My instruments have also been heard on a number of radio broadcasts including BBC Radio 3's 'The early Music Show' and have been seen on Terry Jones' BBC television documentary about medieval lives. Two of my renaissance hurdy gurdys are often seen and heard at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.