Teachers   Lutherie is a rapidly maturing art, with much to be learned from other makers through local meetings, national conventions, journal articles and exchanges on the Web. While I learn from these, my primary teachers have been: TJ Thompson, one of the world's great guitar builders, and perhaps the leading expert in the repair and restoration of vintage flattop guitars. TJ has worked on instruments owned by Eric Clapton. Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly and many other great musicians, and his experience with the superior guitars built during the golden age of the C.F. Martin Company is unparalleled. His own instruments are among the most sought-after among knowledgable guitar aficianados. During my 3 years apprenticeship we also built the tops for, and many of the component parts of, Schoenberg guitars. I built my first guitar in 1986 with Ervin Somogyi, already by then a maker of international renown. His 35 year career is well documented at his website. As shop manager at Somogyi Guitars since 2004, I continually learn with Ervin as we problem solve and refine the world-class quality of his guitars. Although I am no longer working there, I'm honored to have shared Michael Lewis' instrument repair and display booth at the Stawberry Music Festivals for many years. Michael's creativity, energy, and generosity always inspire me. Catch some of it at his website. Other Links   Driving with Fergus, the traditional Irish music group I've played with for the last decade. Ceilizemer, a Klezmer-Irish fusion project I was involved in that produced the critically-acclaimed soundtrack for the documentary, Shalom Ireland

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