Born in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany, into a musical family, I started to learn the violin at the age of seven. At 22 I qualified as a nurse and followed a hospital career for four years. At the same time I continued my violin studies, first in Bavaria and then with Professor Ronald Masin at the Young European String's School of Music in Dublin.

In 2003 I decided on a career change. After work experience with violinmaker Michel de Hoog in Dublin, I was awarded a place at the Newark School of Violin Making. Since graduating in 2006 I have been working for professional workshops and private clients as a freelance repairer and restorer. For seven years I taught violin at St Hugh's Prep School in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.