Bruno Cognyl-Fournier    Sun, 09 Jan 2000 18:13:17 -0400
---------------------

I am 41 years old, married with one child of 4 years.  I am from France
but came to live in Canada at the age of 7  with my parent.  Started
playing classical guitar by accident at the age of 12 when my mother
gave me a guitar she had bought in Spain at he age of 16.  Started
playing by ear, since my parents listened to all the great Classics of
Classical music, I could play Eine kleine nacht music by ear.  At the
age of 16 decided to study music seriously in College (which is just
before University here in Canada).  Was fascinated with history of music
and my guitar teacher also happened to be a lutenist and lute
builder.....one thing led to the next, and by age 19, completely gave up
classical guitar to go study at Queen's University with Aaron Skitri
(who in the early 1980's was from the old school of lute players, who
played with a technique of his own inspired by the Ida Presti Classical
guitar technique).  Left Canada after my Bachelor's degree in Music, to
go back to France, started a Master's thesis under the supervision of
Jean Michel Vaccaro (check your CNRS editions of the french lute
music.....).  Continued taking lessons with Pascale Boquet in France and
changed my technique to thumb under....

Years later I am working as a loan and mortgage officer in a
bank.....those gut strings are expensive you know.....

I play lute recorders and sing in various amateur (but serious) groups
in Montreal, preferring to enjoy music without the stress of trying  to
make a living from playing....  My latest venture being an amateur
medieval music group.  I own a Dary Williams (from Canada back in the
80's) 8 course and 11 course, as well as a Soprano lute made by me and
an Alto travelute (discussed earlier on the lutenet) also made by me
with the help of my very good friend Colin Everett (luthier in Ottawa).

I am simply amazed upon reading the replies about this question, as to
the backgrounds of some of us.  It really reinforces the idea to me that
music brings people together from all types of backgrounds. Who would
have thought that even truck drivers were into playing lute????


Bruno Cognyl-Fournier
Montreal