About the Violin Maker
Growing up in a musical family – my mother played the piano, my father the violin – I learned to play the piano and began composing at an early age, followed later by percussion and finally violin lessons.
In addition to my musical interests, I showed special talents in natural sciences. At the age of nine I started computer programming. At the age of fifteen I was able to distribute my first commercial music software through a Berlin software house.
My personal connection of music and natural sciences lead to sound & music recording, participating in approx. 100 musicproductions in different settings over the years.
For several years I worked in research and IT departments developing software for acoustic and electromagnetic measurement purposes. At the same time, I was a tutorium lecturer in technical drawing and mechanical construction at the University of Duisburg-Essen for several years.
The idea of the ‘perfect’ violin sound, which had existed since my youth, fascinats me and never let me go. Several years ago I decided to apply the knowledge I had acquired and initially devoted myself to traditional violin making, which I studied in Duisburg (Master Kruppa), Nettetal (Master Zanders) and at the renowned state violin making school in Mittenwald, Bavaria in Germany.
Historical violin making – according to the Cremonese Amati method – is still the strong foundation of my work today. Based on this, I test and develop methods to specifically influence the resonance characteristics of my instruments.
In spring 2013, I presented violin ‘Zéro’, the first instrument of a special type that exhibited the tonal properties at which my research is directed.
Since then, I have been working on commission to create custom instruments that meet the demands of young instrumentalists, professional musicians, and soloists.
Instrument making courses
& advanced trainings
Due to the ever more frequently asked question and my own desire to pass on knowledge and skills, I offer courses and personal training – individually or in small groups – to learn about instrument making and possibly build an instrument yourself or to be trained in partial aspects.
String instruments (violin, viola, cello) as well as plucked instruments (Spanish concert guitar) can be built under professional guidance. Since the offer depends on my time schedule and of course on the wishes of the participants, I will gladly give detailed information about courses and fees on personal request.
Lectures
I offer lectures on instrument making in the form of illustrated presentations, and events with musical accompaniment if desired, in particular the series “The Stradivari Code”, in which the question of the old Italian sound and today’s structural possibilities is pursued.
If you are interested, please send me a short request.