Our Workshop Team

Thomas Price

Thomas Price graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 2015, after 3 years of study. During this time he made 6 instruments; 4 violins, a viola and a cello. After graduating, Thomas gained experience working on set-ups and repairs at 'Guarneri House', a string instrument shop in Michigan.

Thomas moved to Australia in 2017 where he began working at The Sydney String Centre under the guidance of David Glanville. Thomas is now Senior Luthier and specialises in complex repairs and restorations.

Alex McEwan

Two of Alex’ main interests from a young age have been music and art, and merging these two loves they started their violin-making and repair journey in late 2014. Studying with Australian violin maker Harry Vatiliotis, they made five violins, two violas, and completed a number of repairs on bowed string instruments. In 2017 after a brief time working at Hunter Valley Violins in Newcastle, they started their own repair business in the lower Blue Mountains. That was cut short by Covid, and after a hiatus in the hospitality industry joined The Sydney String Centre in June 2022.

Alex currently focuses their attention on repairs and tonal adjustments, working closely with head luthier David Glanville, senior Luthier Thomas Price, and the showroom team. In their spare time, they can be found creating things, and occasionally performs orchestrally playing on a violin they completed in 2019.

Marcos Bretos

Since 2016, Marcos has been studying violin making under different maestros around Europe. He has focused his study on specialising in bow repairs and restoration. During this time, he also graduated in cello at ten professional conservatoriums of Pablo Sarasate and graduated at the University of Navarra in Primary Education along with a master's degree in Special Education. 

After arriving in Australia in 2022 to join The Sydney String Centre as our bow specialist, he has been able to learn local techniques and strategies about bow making from our head luthier David Glanville and Australia bow maker Jim Elender.

This has allowed him to understand the Australian climate and find the best results according to what our customers need.

Mia Zhao

Mia started playing the violin when she was 5 years old. Her passion for music has continued to grow whilst teaching violin and playing in orchestras. Continuing her musical career, Mia started working as a sales consultant at The Sydney String Centre in 2019. Gaining experience in fine instruments, she found herself wanting to continue her study of the violin.

Her interest in violin making, sound development and set ups soon found her transitioning into the workshop team. Now as a workshop assistance, she shows her interest not only on violins but also on cellos.

Tobias Ng

Tobias’ musical journey started at a young age playing the piano and developed into a love of electric guitar. Whilst studying a degree in computer science and electronics he worked for Billy Hyde stage systems, where he gained insight into percussion, Hammond organs and touring equipment. After graduating Tobias left Australia to work for a technology company in Canada. In that time, he also found an interest in Cuban music and folkloric dance, including the Tres Cubano, a 6-stringed 3-course guitar-like instrument.

In 2019 Tobias retuned back to Australia, where he wanted to develop his interest in stringed instruments into a career. He then joined the workshop team and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and has become a specialist in violin and viola set up and repairs and helps companywide with implementing and developing new systems and processes.

Tomas McKeever Ford

Tomas is a Sydney/Eora based musician, arranger, composer, and teacher. Graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music (Honours Class I) from UNSW in Jazz Double Bass performance, Tomas performs regularly around Sydney/Eora and interstate with various Jazz, Improvising, and Contemporary Classical/New Music ensembles.

Tomas joined The Sydney String Centre in 2020, focusing in Cello and Double Bass set-up and repair work. Although much of his life revolves around music, Tomas enjoys reading, cooking, gaming, and bushwalking in his spare time.

George McMahon-Pearce

George started playing the cello at age 10. His love of music developed into a Bachelor of music with a focus on composition. After graduating, George played in multiple orchestras, whilst working in print music licensing and online retail.

In 2019, George became the Shop Manager of Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments, a bowed stringed instrument store based in Watford, UK.

In 2022, George made the move to Australia to join The Sydney String Centre’s workshop team. Georges wide range of experience in the industry bring a unique insight into the workshop team where he now focuses on instrument servicing, violin set ups and customer consultations.