"My instrument work began during my time at Indiana University, where in addition working on my Bachelor's degree in orchestral bass performance, I studied with Ole Stephen Dahl, Bloomington's resident violin making expert for many decades. 

I soon had a job maintaining the univerity's stringed instruments. After graduating, I enjoyed working by day at an Indianapolis violin shop, where Al Stancel taught me to make violins using the Italian inner form. By night, I restored my 19th-Century Italian bass, or played either classical or electric bass in various professional capacities. By the mid-1980's, I'd sold my first two handmade violins to a member of the Indianapolis Symphony, and ended up in central New York. 

I definitely caught the making bug!

I chose to balance my love of instrument work (both making & repair of orchestral strings) and orchestral bass playing. Ginny, my wonderful wife, managed to bring me to peace with the decision to continue doing both! As in the past, that balance necessarily swings toward one or the other, something that I find synergistically renewing.