I started playing the classical guitar at the age of nine in West Yorkshire where I grew up. Besides my interest in music I have always had a keen interest in making things, particularly in wood. I became interested in the violin and how it was made and, after leaving school, I did the three year course in violin making and repair at Newark School of Violin Making between 1979 and 1982. After leaving, I spent some time repairing violins in Germany, where I saw many fine instruments.

I returned to England where I continued making and repairing violins. Also, my interest in playing the classical guitar and the lute, particularly the 13 course Baroque lute led me to making many classical guitars and eventually lutes.

Between 1999 and 2005 I taught guitar making at Newark college where I had trained as a violin maker, also between 2003 and 2006 I taught guitar making at Manchester College of Art and Technology. I now teach privately but mainly make new instruments to order.

Music making is important to me and I occasionally play the lute or guitar in concert and have played the theorbo and lute in a local Baroque group. This interest keeps me keenly focussed on the most important aspect of making musical instruments: the sound, in which I am continually seeking excellence.

www.tonyjohnsonluthier.co.uk