Having received a distinction from Merton College in violin making and restoration, I was offered a position in the workshops of J P Guivier, the oldest established violin dealers in London. I was very fortunate to carry out my apprenticeship there under the watchful eyes of highly experienced craftsman.
I then worked in the main workshop for the next thirteen years, carrying out repairs and restorations to a highly exacting standard. Whilst at Guiviers I actively pursued violin making in my spare time and was able to meet and work with many fine contemporary makers