David van Ooijen   26 May 2001 10:52:24 +0200
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My name is David van Ooijen (1966, The Netherlands). I started to play the
guitar at an early age, but was not serious about it till the age of 12 when
we moved to a new city with a new teacher. When I was 17 years old I went to
the conservatory. I had always been interested in accompanying singers and I
had a liking for renaissance music, so when Robert Spencer came to our
school to give workshops in lute song, I decided to take up the lute. Soon I
was studying with Toyohiko Satoh. For the last ten years I have been earning
my living with playing lute and teaching a bit. I play several types of
renaissance lutes (a', g' and d'), theorbo, archlute and classical as well
as baroque guitar. My next addition will be a 19th century guitar to enjoy
the romantic repertoire for voice and guitar. I have ordered a Fabricatore
copy, but for the time being I am borrowing an 1847 Panormo.
 
I am married to Japanese wife, and through her I have fallen in love with
many things Japanese, notably the food, but also the music. So apart from
making sushi I enjoy playing the shamisen. Together with my wife we take
care of the non-Japanese speaking members of the Lute & Early Guitar Society
of Japan, publishing an English translation of its news letter.