My violinmaking journey started long before my first violin was built. One day, when I was somewhere between 6 and 8 years old, I saw and heard a violin on TV, and immediately felt a feeling of excitement. I pointed aggressively at the TV, and then hurriedly and excitedly asked my Father, “what’s that!?” My father simply replied, “that’s called a violin, Jonathan”. And so it was fate that violins would become a significant part of my life. I started playing violin at age 8, and the rest is history.

Much later on, I discovered the world of antique violins. I would soon come up with the crazy idea to buy and fix old violins and sell them, and use the profit to help out local orchestra programs after noticing that many local schools didn’t have orchestra programs, or that strings programs in the local area were very neglected. This idea fell through for many reasons, but it eventually led me down the path to open up a violin shop in Augusta, GA, after partnering with Nathaniel Bruner, an Augusta native.

With my new-found role as a violin shop owner, I was forcefully thrust upon the daunting yet intriguing world of violins. I would soon play the role of executive, luthier, mentor, violin teacher, janitor, accountant, historian, and others! I’d come to find that there are so many intricate and interesting aspects to the world of stringed instruments.

To give back to the community and to show my gratitude for those who helped support the business, for several years I offered free violin lessons to as many people as I could acceptably manage. This included everyone from the very young to the very…not so young.

Inevitably, I was led to the world of violinmaking and lutherie, which also encompasses the making of violas and cellos, among other instruments. Here I’ve found a true passion. Initially, I was self-taught, where I primarily used Peter Prier’s method of violinmaking, but sought guidance and inspiration from many other violinmakers and violinmaking resources as well.

I furthered my studies under the internationally-known violinmaker from South African, Brian Lisus. Brian Lisus specializes in the making of new instruments, especially cellos, and attended the Newark School of Violin Making with many of today’s biggest names in violinmaking, such as Roger Hargrave, John Dilworth, Julie Reed Yeboah, and more. He was among the first group of violinmakers to attend the Newark School of Violinmaking. He is the creator of the Quartet of Peace, and a video is available on YouTube that follows the construction of the instruments of the Quartet of Peace all the way to their international concert tour.

I am a lover of trees, dogs, nature, adventure, hiking, cycling, kayaking, reading, music, photography, and many other things.