Bio

With a background in furniture restoration and a love of music, Simon began training as a luthier in Canberra in 1995 and has since had a continual presence in the local string community.

In 2003 Simon won a Fellowship to study advanced restoration techniques with the British Violin Making Association. Following this training Simon went to Cremona in Northern Italy where he met with a number of local luthiers. In 2013 Simon returned to Cremona and Switzerland, where he met with the Finkel family of bow makers. The relationships Simon has established in Europe allows him to source quality European instruments for his shop.

With over 25 years of experience Simon has become an integral part of the Canberra string community. Outside the workshop he sponsors local music events, has close affiliations with members of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, provides instruments for local schools, and is widely connected to the network of musicians and teachers in and around Canberra and the south coast. Simon also enjoys playing guitar, surfing and bike riding. 

In 2022 Simon moved to Moruya, an historic town on the far south coast of NSW. Simon continues to sell, repair, and restore instruments from his new workshop, and travels to Canberra most weeks to provide instruments for sale, and to pick up and deliver repairs.

(Simon no longer looks like this)