My guitar building journey began in my hometown of Sheboygan, WI. Folks have told me it sounds like a made up place, but I assure you that it exists and is referred to as the “Spirit on the Lake.”  It was there that I first met the great harpsichord and classical guitar builder, Roger Anderson. In those early years in his shop trying out some of his instruments and buying one from him, it never crossed my mind that this man would eventually become my mentor, and that I’d follow along in his footsteps. 

After moving to Denver, CO I lost touch with Roger for a couple years. When my dad became sick I moved back home temporarily and like Marty McFly looking up Doc Brown in the white pages, so did I in looking up Roger Anderson. Though I didn’t know it at the time, that was the day my apprenticeship started. I previously had no intentions of building instruments as I was mostly a player, but Roger had me captivated by the building process. This beauty in creating instruments quickly became as important a part of my life as playing them.

I moved back to Denver after my family’s need for my time back home had ended. Despite the distance, this time Rog and I made it a point to keep in touch. I’d go back often to spend time with him, learn from him and show him what I’d been working on, absorbing all the guidance and tips he could give me. Years later he called and said that he was retiring his shop and no longer had need for his tools, benches, etc.. He asked if I wanted what amounted to the last 40 years of his professional life, to which I probably responded, you’re f-ing kidding me! Turns out, he wasn’t. 

These days I build classical guitars out of my shop in South Denver with Roger’s equipment and his enduring guidance. I’ve been fortunate enough to build wonderful friendships/working relationships with many folks in our Denver metro area university departments and always enjoy learning more about my craft.