About Us

Owner / President
Ethan is a violinist with over 26 years of experience, and also a skilled luthier with 20 years of experience in orchestral instrument repair. A native Floridian, he is excited to bring two full-service instrument shops to the greater Tampa Bay area, a service greatly needed within the stringed community! Ethan is a University of South Florida graduate where he obtained his Bachelor's of Science degree in finance and marketing.

Workshop Manager
Francesco is a professional luthier with over 23 years of experience, and we are excited to have him and his diverse experience on our team! He is originally from Morlupo, Italy, a small town just north of Rome.

Francesco graduated from the International Luthier School of Cremona’s three year violin and bow making program in 2001. The prestigious program has also adopted the name, International Professional Institute of Violin Making and Woodcraft, and it has been in operation in Cremona, Italy, since 1938.

Instrument Specialist - Cello
Mikel is a professional cellist who has been playing for 23 years, as well as teaching advanced students in a studio setting for the past 10 years. A Texas native, Mikel brings a broad range of experience as a performer to serving our clientele! Mikel obtained his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the Boston Conservatory and later studied at University of South Florida where he received his Master of Music, also in Cello Performance. He has been on our team for 7 years serving as our cello specialist.

Workshop Technician

Touch up Specialist
Tim is a Florida native and has been playing upright bass for the past 13 years. We are excited to have him on our team. Tim is a graduate of the USF jazz studies program, and is also a 2013 graduate from Brevard Community College in Melbourne, where he obtained his Associate of Arts degree. He previously played guitar and had the opportunity to study jazz guitar and music theory under Michael Leasure, a guitarist/composer who specializes in jazz, classical, and acoustic guitars and original compositions. Tim has been on our team for nine years serving as our varnish touch up specialist and workshop technician.

Bow Specialist
Lemay is a professional violinist and has been our shop's bow specialist for 6 years.

Instrument Specialist - Cello

Susan Lindemann is an accomplished cellist based in Tampa with over a decade of playing experience. As an Instrument Specialist at Violin Shop Tampa, Susan brings her passion for the cello into her work, offering expert advice and support to musicians of all levels. Her deep understanding of the instrument, combined with her hands-on experience, makes her an invaluable resource for anyone seeking guidance in selecting or maintaining their stringed instruments, particularly the cello.

Susan's journey with the cello has been incredibly rewarding, and she is dedicated to sharing her love for this beautiful instrument with others. Whether helping customers explore the nuances of different cellos or offering insights into the care and upkeep of their instruments, Susan approaches her work with the same enthusiasm and commitment that has defined her musical career.

In addition to her role at the shop, Susan teaches music lessons and is listed on Violin Shop Tampa's teacher directory. When she's not at the shop, Susan continues to nurture her craft, ensuring that her knowledge and skills remain sharp, benefiting both her own playing and the community she serves.

Instrument Specialist - Violin
Bonnie is a seasoned violinist with over 30 years of experience in performance. Currently a valued member of the Violin Shop Tampa sales team for five years, she leverages her extensive musical background to assist players in selecting instruments that best suit their artistic needs. Bonnie actively performs with various orchestral and chamber ensembles across Florida. Additionally, she imparts her expertise to students in private and collegiate settings. She earned her Master's Degree in Music Performance and Chamber Music from the University of South Florida and holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from SUNY Fredonia.

Instrument Specialist - Violin
Maddy holds a BA in Music and Performance Certificate from the Florida State University, a MM in Violin Performance and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a MM in Chamber Music from the University of South Florida where she served as a Teaching Assistant. She currently performs with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Lakeland Symphony, maintains a private studio, and works regularly as a clinician with several public schools in Hillsborough County. In addition to working as a violin specialist at the shop, Maddy is studying instrument touch-ups and varnish restoration.

School Coordinator

Director of Marketing & Sales
With 17 years of experience in corporate finance, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge in managing teams and assisting mid- to large-sized businesses, as well as non-profits.

Rachel runs the eCommerce and social media side of the business, ensuring that the online presence is as finely tuned as the instruments in the shop.

Residing in Tampa, Rachel is a proud parent of five sons and is married to a retired Army veteran. Outside of work, she takes sailing lessons and humorously admits to being an aspiring but not-so-great gardener—hence her decision to join the local Garden Club for some expert advice! While not a musician herself (yet), she loves being surrounded by music and couldn’t think of a better place to work than Violin Shop Tampa, where the sounds of strings fill the air all day long.

A passionate advocate for youth, Rachel dedicates time to volunteering with local schools, helping guide students toward brighter futures.

Workshop Technician

Financial

Administrator