I’ve been fascinated with violins since I was young. I started playing the violin when I was four. Soon after, I would read in Strings Magazine and The Strad about who was playing what instrument and I followed the auctions by the time I was a young teenager. I was lucky when I met a violin dealer when I was 14 who let me play on his 1703 Stradivari. That moment was so transformative for me, that I became instantly obsessed with the old Italian masterpieces. Now that instruments of this caliber are the norm for me, when I visit conservatories or festivals, I always try to have instruments for students to try so that they can also learn about sound and share that experience.
I find something to love about almost every great instrument I meet, because they tell a story about the person that made it, and what life might have been like for them. You see the way they think about their work, what they deem important and what they're willing to dismiss. You see whether they were obsessed with detail or if they cared about some things more than others. After a while, it starts to feel like you almost know these makers and what their lives might have been like. I have been very fortunate in my career to have worked with some of the most influential dealers in the world, starting with René A. Morel, who was the architect of the sound I grew up listening to.
Now I look forward to the challenges facing the next generation of experts and dealers and hope to build upon the experience I have gained to benefit the community of musicians and collectors. Thanks for being a part of this journey with us, and we hope to serve you in the years to come.
