Harpsichords - Fortepianos - Virginals - Clavichords

At this juncture I was fortunate in being offered an opportunity to work with two ‘historical instrument’ builders; Edward R. Turner who was associated with the Russell Collection in Edinburgh and later with John Philips of Berkeley, California, one of the leading U.S. builders.   After completing the latter in 1984 I returned to Canada to set up my own workshop in Vancouver, British Columbia.
 
In 1988 I applied for and received a Canada Council Grant to collect by means of notes, measurements and photographs, technical information on historical instruments housed in many of the great collections in Europe. I traveled throughout Europe and came away with a wealth of information and experience as well as a good supply of excellent tone woods.
 
I base the design and structure of my harpsichords on the surviving instruments of makers from the French, Flemish and German schools of building, modifying the designs when I feel it necessary to increase their ranges. The addition of a ‘transposer block’ enables the instruments to play at both low and high pitches (a=415hz and 440hz).  I select only the best of seasoned timbers - Yellow Poplar, German Spruce, Swiss Pear and English Beech along with logs of Ebony, Boxwood and Holly.  All of the keyboards and wooden jacks used in the instruments are handmade.
  
My Harpsichords, Virginals, Clavichords and Fortepianos are built for both the professional player and those amateurs who enjoy collecting and playing fine period instrument.  The instruments have been used by many of the top players in the world and may be seen and heard in private residences, music schools, concert halls and at early music festivals around the world.