Connecting Africa’s Skilled Professionals
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The best advice I ever received is....
.... never listen to the experts because what works for them might not work for you.
Brian Lisus
I was educated at....
....Sea Point Boys High School in Cape Town and then the Newark School of Violin Making in England.
My first job was....
....in common with my mentor, Wilfred Saunders, who always used to say that he retired at age 21 when he gave up his job and became a violin maker from home! That is very much what I have done and have only ever worked for myself.
What I do now is....
....make string musical instruments full time.
Brian Lisus graduated from the Newark School of Violin Making in 1979.
He has been making string instruments professionally ever since having sold them all over the world. Countries include England, USA, Canada, Chile, Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Namibia and South Africa.
Several leading players play his instruments including David Juritz - Leader of the London Mozart Players, Karen Gaertner - Principal Viola of the Cape Town Orchestra before its closure and Peta Ann Richardson - Principal Cellist in the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa.
Recently Brian made the instruments for the Quartet of Peace that is using the beauty of string quartet music to promote worldwide the ideals of peace, reconciliation, freedom and hope represented by South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
The Quartet has played in St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany; London, Kings Place and in L'Atelier de Picasso, Paris France. The Quartet of Peace and the making of the instruments were featured in The Strad of December, 2010.
Funds raised from Quartet of Peace concerts are donated to charities that support the upliftment of children in impoverished areas of Africa through the medium of music programs.
Brian has produced a DVD which documents the making of the quartet instruments from the first shaving to the inaugural gala concerts. The DVD also features his two cats, Jessica and Jasmine who keep a watchful eye on proceedings!
The DVD is available from his web site: www.lisusviolins.com It can be viewed online or purchased in PAL or NTSC format.
What I learned along the way is....
....to never compromise on quality so as to get the job done faster, and to never stop trying to improve. That keeps the passion and interest alive; otherwise it can become a soulless and repetitive craft.
My greatest influence has been....
....My parents who supported me all the way and my godfather Joe Sack who instilled in me the love, magic and fascination for violins, violas and cellos.
The best advice I ever received is....
....never listen to the experts because what works for them might not work for you. Rather listen to your own intuition even if it goes against the grain.
My top tips for succeeding in my career area are....
....pretending that the current instrument I am working on is my final work and reflects all I know ... so I put every ounce of my being into it.
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