Our Workshop Team

George McMahon-Pearce

Originally from the UK, George comes from a musical family and began playing the cello at age 10. His early passion for music led him to complete a Bachelor of Music at Nottingham University with a focus on composition. After graduating, he performed with several orchestras whilst working in print music licensing and online retail.

In 2019, George became the Shop Manager at Thwaites Fine Stringed Instruments, a bowed-string instrument specialist in Watford, UK. George developed a passion for fostering relationships between string players and luthiers, helping musicians access authentic guidance and high-quality restoration services. In 2022, George relocated to Australia to join The Sydney String Centre as part of the workshop team. He was appointed Workshop Manager in 2024, and his broad industry experience continues to bring valuable insight and leadership to the workshop.

Thomas Price

Thomas Price graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 2015, completing six instruments during his three years of study. He continued developing his skills at Guarneri House in Michigan, where he worked extensively on setups and repairs.

In 2017, Thomas moved to Australia and joined The Sydney String Centre under the mentorship of David Glanville. He became Head Luthier in 2024, specialising in complex repairs, restorations and professional-level setups.

Committed to ongoing development, Thomas regularly attends advanced restoration programs, including the Oberlin Restoration Course and workshops throughout Australia, continually refining his craft.

Alex McEwan

Alex has loved music and art from a young age, and in 2014 combined these passions to start their violin-making and repair journey. Studying with Australian violin maker Harry Vatiliotis, they made five violins, two violas, and completed numerous repairs. After a brief stint at Hunter Valley Violins, they started their own repair business in the lower Blue Mountains, which was cut short by Covid. Alex joined The Sydney String Centre in June 2022.

They now focus on repairs and restorations, working closely with Head Luthier Thomas Price and the workshop team. In their spare time, Alex enjoys creating various projects and occasionally performs orchestrally on a violin they completed in 2019.

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 returned 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 setups 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 on 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.

Katie Batchen

Katie’s love for the violin began early, but growing up remotely in Northeast Arnhem/Yolngu Land meant waiting until age five to find a teacher in Gunbalanya. She later enjoyed rich musical experiences in Darwin, studying with concertmasters of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra and performing with the Darwin Youth Orchestra, CYMply Strings, and eventually the DSO, while also gigging, busking, and teaching throughout high school.

In 2012, Katie moved to Sydney to study Commerce and Arts, majoring in IHRM, Commercial Law, Music and German. She worked in corporate and NFP HR roles from 2014–2019, before her passion for violin led her to pursue training in instrument making at The Sydney String Centre. Under the guidance of the SSC team she has developing skills across repairs, servicing, assessments, instrument setup and violin making.

Jasper Mihalich

Jasper has had a passion for music from age 6 when he first began learning violin. After two years he transitioned from strings to brass, and took up the Euphonium, and eventually also picked up the Tuba. In 2020, Jasper moved from Orange to Sydney to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has been lucky enough to tour internationally with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and he now spends his time teaching and playing in a handful of local and regional groups for performances and competitions on either Tuba or Euphonium.

In 2024 Jasper joined the workshop team where he completes setups and repairs on violins, violas and cellos. He enjoys hands-on work and being able to learn new skills, whilst also contributing to company renovation and building projects to further improve the business.

Pei Kuo

Pei began learning piano when she was 6 years old and played recreationally whilst living in Taiwan. She has a passion for travel and seeing the world, so after living in Hawaii, Pei moved to Australia in 2019 where she began working in several versatile roles. During this time, Pei developed an interest in violin making and studied for a year with Wei Luk in 2023.

Since joining the Sydney String Centre in 2024, Pei has been specialising in violin and viola setups and repairs, and is moving into the world of cello setups. When she is not at her bench, Pei enjoys going to the beach and spending time outdoors.

Damon Li

Originally from Guangdong, China, Damon had a career in marketing for ten years before moving to Sydney in 2020 to finish his MBA, where he had a pivot and at the same time began studying cello making under Wei Luk. Over the course of two years, he completed making his first cello, and then spent another year refining his skills at Paytons.

In 2024 Damon joined the Sydney String Centre where he now focuses on cello setups and repair work. He has a deep love for classical music and is currently learning to play the cello, and aspires to one day perform a duet with his wife.