I originally studied physics at university, graduating in 2010, and then worked as a software engineer for 14 years.
I have been playing octave mandolin in folk sessions around Oxford for over 10 years, and various other stringed instruments for years before that. Being something of a nerd and a tinkerer, I've been experimenting with the setups, tunings and string gauges of my own instruments for about as long as I've been playing them.
I recently completed a two-year FdA course in musical instrument making at West Dean College, graduating in 2026 with a distinction.
I'm based in Oxford and have a particular interest in fretted folk instruments (Cittern, Bouzouki, Octave Mandolin and similar) and in the Viola da Gamba and other historical stringed instruments.