Dev's Story

​​

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 the 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!​​​​​​​​​​​​​