Biography
From my eleven years of training at the violin making school in Mittenwald, Germany, alongside my work at various well-known and highly regarded workshops around the world, I have gained a great deal of professional experience. Amongst other things, I learned the diverse techniques required in making instruments, as well as the complex restoration skills that now form the basis of my daily work.
Biography
Due to the excellent contacts that I made during my training, and through continued regular exchanges with colleagues in the Austrian (VÖG), German (VDG) and International Violin Making Associations (EILA), I keep myself updated and informed about the latest state-of-the-art developments in the field. In this way, I have gained extensive professional experience that is highly valued by the musicians I work with. For me, as a violin maker, it goes without saying that I myself am an active musician in my spare time. I enjoy playing the violin in the Orchestra of the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, in the Sinfonic Orchestra Gallneukirchen, and in various chamber music groups. Because of this, I am able to personally test if an instrument, bow or other accessory meets expectations.
Philosophy
The quality of the sound and the calibre of the workmanship are my prime concerns when I am entrusted with a string instrument or bow. Perfection of workmanship and the love of my profession motivate me and inspire my clients.
Memberships and Awards
- Member of the Austrian Violin Maker Association (VÖG)
- Member of the German Association of Violin Makers and Bow Makers (VDG)
- National delegate for Austria at the International Association of Master Violin Makers and Master Bow Makers (EILA) – this association has about 170 members from all around the world (accepted in 2010 as the youngest member)
- Jury Member at the Federal Competition for Apprentices of Violin and Guitar Makers in Vienna, 2013
- 7th International Violin Making Competition in Mittenwald (Germany) 2014 – Silver for a self-made viola
- Upper Austrian Prize for Craftsmanship 2014 for the restoration of a cello
Professional Experience
- High School Diploma, BRG Linz – Auhof, 1994
- Training at the Violin Making School Mittenwald, Germany, 1995 – 1998
- Journeyman in the workshop of Michael Becker, Chicago, USA, 1999 – 2001
- Journeyman in the workshop of Otto Karl Schenk, Bern, Switzerland, 2001 – 2004
- Master exam in Vienna, 2004
- Master violin maker in the workshop of Serge M. Stam, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2004 – 2005
- Master violin maker in the workshop of Hieronymus Köstler, Stuttgart, Germany, 2006
- Shop opening in Linz, September 2006
- Acceptance into the Austrian Violin Makers Association, 2007
- Acceptance into the German Association of Violin Makers and Bow Makers, 2008
- Acceptance into the Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d´Art, 2010
- National delegate of the Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d´Art, 2012
- Jury member at the Austrian Competition for Violin and Guitar Maker Apprentices, Vienna, 2013
- 7th International Violin Making Competition in Mittenwald (Germany) 2014 – Silver for Viola
- Upper Austrian Crafts Prize 2014 for the restoration of a cello
- Elected board member of the German Association of Violin Makers and Bow Makers, 2016
- Relocation to the new studio, March 2017
- Reelected board member of the German Association of Violin Makers and Bow Makers, 2019
Additional Training
- Friedrich Reutterer, Puch bei Hallein, Austria
- Otto Brabec, Linz, Austria
- Michael Remenyi, Toronto, Canada
- David Wiebe, Woodstock, USA
- Nicolas Demarais Luthier, Grenoble, France
- Jean Ives Tanguy, Caen, France
- Claude Lebet, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
- Jens Peter Schade, Halle an der Saale, Germany
- Laurent Lopez Morales, Madrid, Spain
- Seung-Chul Lee, Busan, South Korea
1998 Mittenwald Gesellenfreisprechung
2006 Werkstatt Stuttgart
Chicago
1997 Toronto
1997 Irland
1997 Nebraska
1997 Nebraska
Werkstatt Bern
Werkstatt Bern
2004 Arches National Park USA
2004 Madrid
2005 Fiddle Race Amsterdam
2006 Werkstatt Utrecht
