| Wayne Burak, President / Owner |
|
 |
|
Wayne combines an internationally recognized performance background with extensive experience in the violin and cello trade. His interest in the construction, adjustment, and selection of fine stringed instruments has paralleled an active career as soloist, principal cellist and chamber collaborator. From 1982-1995, he held the position of Principal cellist of the Fort Worth Chamber and Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure, his professional duties included over 1,000 performances with these ensembles. Wayne attended the Eastman School of Music, receiving a B.M. in 1978 and finishing graduate work with a M.M. Performer's Certificate, and a teaching assistant appointment in 1980. During these years, Wayne maintained a violin shop serving the needs of the Eastman community. He has become nationally regarded for his expertise in cellos, and was invited to address the nationˆ‚s top violin makers at the 1981 Violin Society of America National Convention presenting a lecture demonstration on old Italian cellos. His work with fine instruments uncovered many construction and acoustical adjustment secrets as well as closely guarded varnish formulae. Wayne has taught at the Eastman School of Music, University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, and Colorado College. He regularly tours Texas schools and universities, giving orchestral clinics, lecture demonstrations and master classes. His interest in producing professional quality replicas of old Italian violins, violas, and cellos grew out of a desire to assist all members of the string community in their search for affordable yet superb quality instruments.
|
| Franz-Christian Thumser, Master Violinmaker |
|
 |
|
Franz
was born and raised in Germany. He studied the cello from age 13,
and also at this time, showed a keen interest in woodworking and
violinmaking. He pursued a violinmaking apprenticeship in the famed
Markneukirchen province in Germany, passing his journeyman's level
"gesellenprüfung" exam in 1996. He then enrolled in the Violin Making
School of America in Salt Lake City, graduating in 1998. Following
graduation, he was invited by the schoolˆ‚s director, Peter Paul Prier,
to assist in the Prier shop and later violin dealerships in Salt Lake
City. Franz joined our staff in the Summer of 2000 and has been kept very
busy with finishing shop instruments and violinmaking. He also sings as a
member of the Fort Worth Opera Chorus.
|
|