About Dev
​
I've been building musical instruments for over 15 years, carrying​ my work and tools around the country, from New York, to Florida, to Boston, and back again!
​
One question I'm often asked is "how did you get into that?" Well, not surprisingly, it grew out of a passion for woodworking, and a lifelong love of music.​
​​​​​​​I grew up in the hills of upstate NY, where even at the beginning, music was a part of everything we were. Early on, I was given lessons on the piano and harpsichord, and eventually, the pipe-organ. As a teen, I quickly discovered the guitar and mandolin, immediately feeling a kinship, though not yet seeing the part they were to play.
​
Enter my roaring twenties, and a promising, but short-lived career in cabinet making. Somewhere in there, amidst the sawdust, the string twitched, and I dove headlong into Celtic folk music and first heard the sounds of the Irish bouzouki! Feeling very strongly that I should have one, but lacking the funds, I decided to build one -- and the world turned over.
​
All breeds of mandolin followed in short order, along with dulcimers, guitars, banjos, and harps. Eventually, with all roads leading to Rome, I discovered in quick succession, the Hardanger fiddle, the Swedish nyckelharpa, the Hardanger d'Amore, aaaand --- what can I say.
​​
Over the years I've been lucky enough to learn from many kind people, and have had wonderful experiences, all leading me forward.
​
I owe my wife and partner Sophie so much, as she has supported and encouraged me at every step. Her passion for music and for life is a constant inspiration!
​​
​And so, 15 years, and I'm still here, building, discovering, and loving what I do!​​​​​​​​​​​​​
