I am an artist, a maker of things; I love to create beautiful objects. My focus has always been fine craftsmanship and pleasing design, whether composing a drawing or working with clay. As a Fine Arts major at the University of Oregon, I explored nearly every art medium that was offered. After earning my BFA in Ceramics, I enjoyed a successful career for 6 years as a clay artist.

In 2001, I came across a photo of a luthier’s shop. I was drawn to the tools and fascinated by the craft, however, working with wood was a medium I had not been introduced to. I googled “female luthiers” and surprisingly found only a few women in the field. I decided to build my first guitar. I learned the process by reading books, watching VHS videos and interacting with other luthiers.

I relocated my shop to Bend, Oregon in 2011, where I enjoy the high desert landscape and constant sunshine. The climate is moderate and dry, making Bend a good location to build instruments.

To further my knowledge of how to build a responsive guitar, I had the opportunity to participate in Ervin Somogyi’s voicing class in 2015. I have a deep respect for Ervin’s work and it was an invaluable experience to spend time in his shop.

My fingerstyle guitars are known for their precision, warmth, and dynamic range. My aesthetic is clean, minimal and elegant, where the natural beauty of wood is emphasized.

I build guitars as a contribution to music. There is no greater pleasure than creating something that artists play. Hearing my creations and knowing that my guitars will have a journey beyond my shop is immensely satisfying. I am intrigued by the everchanging nature of guitars; the forms they take, the materials that are used, the building process and the tone that matures once a guitar comes to life. The art of lutherie is a lifelong passion that combines my background in fine arts and my love for music.