Carl
Applebaum
Carl made the transition from architect, trained at Princeton
University, to luthier in the mid 70’s. He apprenticed with a local
maker in Eugene, Oregon, then moved to Olympia in 1983. He opened the
shop in his home at that time, moved it to downtown Olympia
in 1990 and then to its present downtown Tacoma location in 2004. He
began studying the violin while growing up in New York City, and has
recently been trying to expand his playing into jazz improvisation.
For several years, he has been actively supporting a children's music conservatory
in Guanabacoa, Cuba, by collecting and contributing instruments, bows, and cases.
He has also made volunteer trips to repair instruments at the school. As a result,
he became fascinated with Afro-Cuban drumming, and is studying with Michael Olsen
of the band Obrador in Olympia.
Sally Strohm
Sally Strohm has been with the shop since 1994 and is the shop manager. She is a well-known regional cellist, holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Kansas State University, and has studied at music schools both nationally and abroad. She is a member of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, performs with orchestras and ensembles throughout Western Washington, does studio recording work, and is a founding member of both the Heartstrings Trio and the Northwest String Quartet. She plays a Jean Laurent Clement cello (early 1800’s), with a Paul Siefried bow.