Meet the team

Pierre Holstein, aka Fiddlerman, has played the violin for over 40 years. He has performed professionally as a violinist for over 30 years in the United States, Europe, and Asia, holding positions as concert master and section leader in full-time symphony orchestras. He has also coached many professional violinists, as well as beginner violinists and students. His goal is to provide all violinists, beginners and advanced, a friendly place to visit, learn, and improve via the learning site Fiddlerman.com. Through Fiddlershop, he wants to provide musicians with affordable instruments and accessories.

Michael Holstein has a background in Internet marketing and business. He helped his father, "Fiddlerman" launch Fiddlershop.com January 1st, 2012 and to run it ever since. Michael is an expert in product development and online sales. He's an all-arounder, doing anything from packing orders and talking to customers, to signing the closing documents at Fiddlershop's new warehouse.

Felix Manuel Perez Cuza is originally from Cuba, and started working with stringed instruments in 1999. He has also worked as a Luthier in Mexico and Belgium, and was a member of Luthiers Without Borders. In 2009, Felix built his first violin, an instrument that won honors for sound production. He is also a talented violinist and has played in multiple orchestras. Felix also plays the Viola, Cello, and Double Bass!

Andres Martinez Bilva is originally from Cuba, where he started studying and working with antique furniture restorations in 1995. In 2003, Andres attended Luthier school and by 2010, he was working as a professional Luthier. With over 20 years of experience in the fine woods industry and a fine eye for detail, he knows how to work with wood! Andres started working with us in May of 2017, and has been a great addition to the team!

Luthier Sean Scott hails from Baltimore, Maryland where he attended Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University) as a collegiate lacrosse player. His background as a craftsman in the marine industry helped Sean to refine his skills in an array of materials, including starboard and a variety of woods, and brought him to south Florida in 2015. Sean's lifelong love of music, combined with his proficiency as a craftsman, drew him to Fiddlershop where he is now an apprentice of Master Luthier Felix Manuel Perez Cuza.

Arley L Diaz Pimentel studied the violin and also worked as a luthier in Cuba for 5 years, before moving to Florida with his wife and 2 children. He started to work at Fiddlershop in December 2018. Other than the violin, Arley also plays the guitar and enjoys good food and the beach on his free time.

Manuel Alejandro Vivar is an apprentice luthier at Fiddlershop. For him, working with stringed instruments is a great complement to his passion for music and his musical studies. Manuel was born in Cuba, and earned a Master’s degree in musical interpretation and a Bachelor’s degree in percussion and composition from the Higher Institute of Art in Havana. He also took classes in percussion and composition at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and at the Superior Conservatory of Liceu in Barcelona, Spain.

Suaima Ramos Torres is not only a luthier, she is also an accomplished cellist and music teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in music at the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana, Cuba, and has participated in several recordings. Suaima has worked as a luthier apprentice since 2010 and has specialized in bow repair and rehair. Simultaneously Suaima has worked as a music teacher and cellist. She is married to master luthier Andres Martinez, who also works for Fiddlershop.

Peter White started the study of professional violin making in 1980 with Jan Pawlikowski in Krakow, Poland. Up to this date he has made 250 violins, violas, cellos and mandolins. In 2019 he moved to Florida to join the Fiddlershop team. For 40 years, Peter has also been the professor of American literature and American studies at the University of New Mexico. On his free time Peter runs 5k races, skis, plays senior softball and plays the fiddle in the style of the Appalachian mountains. He played in the band ”The Virginia Creepers” for 20 years. Peter also founded the New Mexico Musical Heritage Project, teaching Native American and Hispanic students to make violins and play the historical music of New Mexico. Peter White is the proud father of three sons.

Alex Mechak has been working at Fiddlershop since November 2017. He was raised in Massachusetts and after graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Army. Alex served for five years in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantryman. He mastered many skills, but most importantly developed the work ethic that drove Michael Holstein (Co-founder of Fiddlershop and friend of Alex since 2010) to ask him to come join the team. After the Army, Alex attended Keiser University and earned a degree in business management. He manages the warehouse inventory, packs and ships orders, and helps with customer questions.

Clare Carlson, our customer service representative and office assistant, has been playing the violin for over 25 years, and the viola for over ten years. Hailing from Northern Illinois, she performed with various orchestras in that area before moving to South Florida in 2014. Clare graduated from Lake Forest College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music

Christina Curcio is our newest hire in the Fiddlershop office. She was raised in Brooklyn, New York and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Cognitive Linguistics from Florida Atlantic University. Through the years, she continued to grow her experience in business and management in the Logistic and Wine industry. Looking for a professional atmosphere in an industry she was passionate about, Christina joined the Fiddlershop team in 2018 as a customer service specialist. When not working, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading 3 books at once, and spending time with her fur babies. She is also married to our Operations Manager, Alex Mechak!

Emilie Joanna Holstein is not only Fiddlerman’s daughter and Michael Holstein’s sister. She works part time with customer service and is also a professional singer and keyboardist/pianist. Emilie Joanna performs at hotels, restaurants, weddings and events and is also learning how to play the violin. Her favorite things in life are love (family, friends), music and food. Oh, and you might see her with cute puppies occasionally, since she is an enthusiastic dog walker/sitter.

Michael O’Gieblyn is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and he joined the Fiddlershop team as a product review specialist in the fall of 2017. Michael plays the violin professionally with Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, Boca Symphonia and Palm Beach Symphony. Before moving to South Florida, he was a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and performed regularly with the Nashville and Louisville Orchestras. He has also has played the violin on recordings for OneRepublic, Sony Playstation’s Uncharted-Golden Abyss, and the MGM movie, Home of the Brave. While preparing for orchestral auditions, the lack of resources for violinists led Michael to create www.orchestraexcerpts.com, a resource which helps musicians to prepare for orchestra auditions. He is also the host of the Per Service Podcast, which can be found on iTunes.

Åsa Holstein is not only Fiddlerman’s wife, she is also a journalist, photographer and author. Åsa helps us with human relations, general office duties, and is also in charge of Holstein Violins. She plays the flute and has sang in church choirs in Sweden, which is her birth country.

Jimmie Bjorling joined Fiddlershop in 2018 as an Information Technology and Marketing Specialist. Jimmie has his Master's Degree in Information Systems, Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and Economics, and has several years of experience in leading various digital initiatives for internet businesses. The latest project added to his list is the new Fiddlershop website. Apart from being a dedicated professional, Jimmie enjoys playing a good round of golf, and attempting to learn how to play the guitar!

Ivo Adams has been working for Fiddlershop since 2017. He’s the man behind Fiddlershop’s beautiful graphic profile and social presence. Ivo is a dedicated violinist, founder of meuviolino.com, and has over 20 years of experience as an Art Director. Through his blog, Ivo is helping violinists all over the world with his extensive research, violin reviews and guides. Ivo was headhunted by Michael Holstein, who was impressed by his stunning work online. We’re thankful to have him as an integral part of the Fiddlershop family!

Jonathan Rohenaz moved to Florida in 2008 from upstate New York. He is very versatile and has worked in a variety of professions, such as mortgage sales, t-shirt production, airbrushing of cars, production manager for a law firm and mushroom farming. Jonathan plays some guitar and also enjoys music production, cooking, fishing and working on cars.

Cameron Glass is a Florida local and arts enthusiast. He is very involved in music and his main specialties include winds, brass, percussion, and composition. Cameron plays in multiple South Florida community music organizations spanning from Miami to Orlando. Besides music Cameron also enjoys theater, whether it's on the stage, in the pit orchestra for musicals, or even in the seats.