Andrew Wooderson – Early keyboard Technician

Andrew Wooderson began his professional life in the Regular Army, serving with the Royal Engineers as first a Combat Engineer and then military cartographer. Following military service and wishing to explore a growing fascination with early music performance and the harpsichord in particular Andrew spent four years at the London College of Furniture studying harpsichord making. He established his workshop in 1986 and has been working full time as a harpsichord maker, repairer, restorer and tuner ever

since. Harpsichord and latterly organ hire and tuning has formed an increasing proportion of his work and Andrew’s instruments have been used for concerts, broadcasts, festivals and recordings throughout the UK, in Europe and beyond. For the last 15 years or so Andrew has been assisted in the workshop and with hire work by his wife, recorder

player Naomi Wooderson. Andrew has a strong interest in teaching; giving lectures and running courses  in harpsichord maintenance in places as diverse as Lisbon, Bruges and Tallinn, as well as widely in the UK. He currently has a workshop trainee, generously supported by funding from the Finchcocks Trust.

Away from harpsichords Andrew used to enjoy competing in mountain marathons until injury curtailed that activity. But he still enjoys the outdoors, motorcycling, cycling, gardening and cooking. It is unclear if others enjoy his cooking. He is also a lapsed

(and very mediocre) church organist and choir director. Whenever possible Andrew indulges his lifelong passion for railways, both models and full size, working along with Naomi as an occasional volunteer on the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales.