Renate Fink
I take each student's knowledge and professional background as a basis and build on this throughout the course with one to one tuition.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?Students will be given complete insight into all stages of making a stringed baroque instrument. Students start completely from scratch using the same techniques any professional maker employs. Students gain an in depth knowledge of woodworking skills. They experience the trill of playing music on an instrument made entirely by themselves.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Carving, bending, joining and gluing wood using hand tools only.
What inspires your own work?My work is largely inspired by historic instruments still in existence and by the attempt to recreate the sound of renaissance and baroque music. However, I am not interested in producing mere copies, each instrument is given its personal touch trough years of working with string instruments, following the flow of natural curves and bringing out the grain structure of each individual piece of wood.
Where can students see examples of your work?Several musicians in England and abroad play my instruments, I regularly attend early music exhibitions.
Where did you gain your training?
I trained at the London College of Furniture (now London Metropolitan University) and completed my four year training with distinction (HND Bsc diploma)
Teaching experience:I teach at West Dean College since 1999, I also offer private tuition in my workshop
Books and articles:I regularly publish articles for the British Violin Making Association newsletter
Professional groups and societies:British Violin Making Society, American Viola da Gmaba society, British Viola da Gamba society.