Workshop instructors
Our course instructors

Christian Simeoni
Christian discovered his love of woodworking as a child in his father's woodcarving workshop. There he not only learnt the basics of the craft, but also developed a deep attachment to this ancient profession. This passion led him to woodcarving school and later to become a model maker, where he further honed his skills. His deep connection to nature led Christian to wilderness education, where he further developed his fascination for original craft techniques and specialised in traditional bow making. For many years now, Christian has been giving workshops and seminars in which he shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for the craft of bow making. His courses are characterised by an authentic and deep appreciation for the traditional craft and offer participants the opportunity to experience and learn this ancient art in its purest form.
Workshops with Christian Simeoni

Alain Mailland
Studied at the Cergy-Pontoise School of Decorative Arts near Paris. After attending a woodturning course, he began making his own thin-walled vessels and lampshades from green wood. His trademark became sculptures reminiscent of botanical plants or marine creatures. His works are exhibited in galleries in Europe, the USA and Australia.
Workshops with Alain Mailland

Anne-Katrine Schmidt
After attending the Technical University of Hanover, where she graduated with a journeyman's certificate as a carpenter, Anne-Katrine Schmidt attended the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Department of Design. After graduating, she trained as a restorer at the Instituto per L`Arte E ll Restauro in Florence. Mrs Schmidt has been working as a freelance restorer in Hanover since 1989.
Workshops with Annekathrine Schmidt

Arno Buck
Arno Buck sets the highest standards for all his craftsmanship, including his hobbies of leatherworking and knife-making. It was through sewing knife sheaths that he discovered his passion for leatherworking, which has stayed with him ever since. He produces his projects, often combined with braiding work, in a clear, modern design, often using special materials.
Workshops with Arno Buck

Christopher Schwarz
He built his first workbench at the age of eight. As a teenager, he and his father built two houses on his parents' farm in Hackett, Arkansas, using almost exclusively hand tools. The trained journalist has retained his passion for hand tools: as a respected woodworker and author of the magazine Popular Woodworking, he combines his hobby and profession.
Workshops with Christopher Schwarz

Ernst Maier
As a self-employed master carpenter, Ernst Maier runs a small, creative one-man workshop in Upper Austria. For over 10 years, he has been passionate about building wildwood furniture based on the shapes of nature. His work is characterised by the combination of wildwood and classic solid wood techniques.
Workshops with Ernst Maier

Ernst Schoiswohl
The best scythes in the world are known to come from Austria. In Rossleithen in the Upper Austrian Kremstal valley, the traditional company Schröckenfux has been producing scythes for 450 years that are precisely tailored to their future use. Who could be more competent at teaching how to sharpen and sharpen scythes and sickles than master craftsman Ernst Schoiswohl, who has been working at the world-famous scythe forge for over 30 years?
Workshops with Ernst Schoiswohl

Franz Roth
Franz Roth Trained as an industrial mechanic, he underwent further training and subsequently passed his master craftsman's examination to become an interior decorator. He also completed a degree in interior design restoration at Raesfeld Castle. He has been successfully running his own restoration workshop with upholstery since 2014. He is a member of the master craftsman examination committee at the HWK Lower Bavaria/Upper Palatinate.
Workshops with Franz Roth

Garrett Hack
The internationally renowned cabinetmaker with a penchant for enchanting details is the author of two books (The Handplane Book and Classic Hand Tools), teaches a wide range of woodworking subjects in the USA, Canada, the UK and Japan and runs a small farm in Vermont/USA. His furniture projects have been recognised in numerous magazines and books. He is a contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine.
Workshops with Garrett Hack

Günter Bleicher
Having grown up in the Upper Palatinate, after his training as a boilermaker he went on a traditional travelling tour which took him through numerous European countries, even as far as New Zealand. Whilst travelling, he discovered the fascination of forging on an open fire with an anvil, a fascination that has never left him and he would like to pass on this enthusiasm and these techniques to you in his courses. In 2000, he set up his own business as a steel sculptor in his forge and studio, where he produces customised and unique pieces of all kinds.
Workshops with Guenter Bleicher

Günther Friese
The passionate woodturner, master carpenter and freelance artist has made it his mission to keep traditional craft techniques alive. He has been teaching beginners and advanced woodturning for several years. In the DICTUM woodturning workshop, he shares his enthusiasm for the magical material of wood and his enormous wealth of experience with you.
Workshops with Günther Friese

Hauke Schmidt
Master carpenter Hauke Schmidt lives and works in Cologne. When he is not building furniture according to his own designs, he teaches how to work with solid wood. The spectrum ranges from hobby courses to masterclasses for carpenters. For him, teaching and learning are two sides of the same coin. He loves doing both. And occasionally he makes art out of roof battens.
Workshops with Hauke Schmidt

Heiko Pulcher
The trained carpenter and qualified designer has always had a great passion for wood and traditional craft techniques. Before joining DICTUM, he worked as a freelance author for several woodworking magazines. In addition to his own course topics, he accompanies numerous premium courses as a translator and with a video camera.
Workshops with Heiko Pulcher

Heinrich Koch
Heinrich Koch learnt the age-old craft from his father. Even as a twelve-year-old, he worked enthusiastically in his parents' shingle workshop and has perfected this craft over the course of his life. Since 1978, Heinrich Koch has been working for the Ott wood shingle making company as the world's best wood shingle maker.
Workshops with Heinrich Koch

Herbert Ritter
It all began with the construction of customised saddles, followed by many years as a bagmaker at Hermès in Paris, and then further years as a product developer and manager in the fashion industry. Today, after almost 30 years of professional experience, the master saddler and bagmaker is passionate about preserving traditional, manual working techniques. Hand stitching, clear shapes, function and quality take centre stage.
Workshops with Herbert Ritter

Jakob Adam
A trained musician, Jakob Adam has been fascinated by fire and steel since the age of 10. He has his workshop on his farm in the district of Regen, where he mainly makes kitchen and outdoor knives from high-performance Damascus. But he also forges axes and other tools there from multi-layer steel or mono steel with a centre layer. His aim is always to create a unique piece that meets the highest standards.
Workshops with Jakob Adam

Jakob Aster
Learned the carpentry trade in a small carpentry workshop where great importance was attached to manual and detailed work. In his hobby carpentry workshop, he makes furniture from solid wood, processes valuable woods in combination with epoxy resin and turns filigree writing instruments and spice mills. His main commitment is to nature conservation and the construction of housing for species-appropriate beekeeping. Mr Aster has been part of the DICTUM team since 2016.
Workshops with Jakob Aster

John Lloyd
For twenty years, John Lloyd has specialised in the restoration of antique furniture in Sussex, England. He works for numerous private clients as well as for Sothebys, Christies and St Paul's Cathedral. He passes on his extensive knowledge in courses and as an author for Woodworking Magazine. His book "Furniture Restoration: A Professional at Work" contains a collection of his highly regarded articles.
Workshops with John Lloyd

Jonas Mumm
He began making unique hand-sewn leather items while studying architecture. In 2016, Jonas was able to take over a leather shop in Regensburg, which he converted and expanded into a leather workshop. In 2018, he co-founded the company "THANN-Bioleder", for which the founders were honoured by the German government as "Creative Pilots". For THANN, Jonas and his colleague have established a consistent production chain from an organic farm to a vegetable-tanning family business to the workshop in Regensburg, where Jonas' straightforward and functional products are handmade.
Workshops with Jonas Mumm

Josef Eder
Josef Eder learnt the craft of basket weaving for three years in the 1950s and completed his training with a journeyman's examination. He then practised this craft for many years at a basket weaving company until - due to the changing times - this craft fell into oblivion. However, he never stopped weaving baskets in his spare time and has even made television appearances in "The last of his profession - the basket weaver". Today, he mainly makes his baskets for museums and markets.
Workshops with Josef Eder

Josef Neumeier
As a trained carpenter, Josef Neumeier became interested in wood at an early age. His passion for the mountains then took him to his adopted home, the Berchtesgaden region. There he learnt the profession of violin maker, which he completed in 2015 with the State Prize. He is particularly interested in repairing stringed instruments.
Workshops with Josef Neumeier

Jimmy Clewes
His charming British style, creative mind and engaging personality make him a firm favourite in woodturning circles. He is a member of the Professional Woodturners in England and the American Association of Woodturners. The Englishman lives in Las Vegas where he runs a woodturning school. For over 23 years he has worked as a woodturner and freelance teacher worldwide, including in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Workshops with Jimmy Clewes

Jörg Steinhauer
Whether he is building surrealist furniture, carving a Gothic altarpiece or carrying out a commissioned work for conceptual artist Jeff Koons - the trained master carpenter, master sculptor and work teacher explores the sculptural design possibilities of wood with great curiosity, crossing the boundary between art and craft. His courses are very popular!
Workshops with Jörg Steinhauer

Jürgen Graßler
The trained metalworker set up his own blacksmith's shop in the Upper Palatinate after his traditional travelling through Europe. For some time now, he has specialised in historical replicas, especially tools and weapons. True to the motto "a blacksmith learns all his life", he experiments with traditional superstructures and welded composite steels and uses them to create his own modern style.
Workshops with Jürgen Graßler

Jürgen Rosinski
He is a passionate blacksmith, knifemaker and author. In his book "Knife-making for beginners" and in his workshop "Simply forge", he proves that beautiful and sharp blades can be produced with minimal use of materials and tools and cordially invites you to join in.
Workshops with Jürgen Rosinski

Kanjuro Shibata XXI
In 1994, Kanjuro Shibata XXI was officially awarded the title of "Imperial Master Bowmaker" as the adopted son and successor of Kanjuro Shibata XX. Since then, he has continued the legacy of this bow-making family in the 21st generation. In addition to building Kyudo bows in his father's workshop in Kyoto, he also acts as a teacher at the Heki-Ryu Bishu Chikurin-Ha school in Europe.
Workshops with Kanjuro Shibata XXI

Kirstin Lang
Preserving the construction, restoring the usability and regenerating the surfaces of antique furniture is Kirstin Lang's top priority. In her own workshop, the trained carpenter, woodturner and restorer is dedicated entirely to the restoration and preservation of historical and solidly crafted pieces.
Workshops with Kirstin Lang

Konrad von Liebieg
As a self-employed master carpenter, Konrad von Liebieg ran a small workshop on a four-sided farm in Angersdorf in Lower Bavaria. He has been interested in chair weaving for over 30 years - with a growing passion. His virtuosity when working on Viennese wickerwork or repairing ageing coffee house chairs can regularly be admired at craft markets in the region.
Workshops with Konrad von Liebieg

Kurt Stangl
The "Säumerbader" from Grafenau is an old-school master hairdresser who is right on trend. He consistently follows the traditional craftsmanship of his trade: wet shaving with a knife and haircuts with a knife, comb and scissors have been standard in his salon for 47 years. His passion for his profession and his enormous expertise make him the ideal teacher for anyone who wants to learn how to use a sharp blade.
Workshops with Kurt Stangl

Matthias Freymadl
The boat builder learnt his trade in a shipyard on Lake Chiemsee. Since then, he has focussed in particular on wooden sailing boats. He also attended the Academy for Design in Crafts in Munich, from which he graduated with a master's award. He has been with DICTUM for a few years now and, as a member of the workshop team, shares his enthusiasm for boatbuilding and carpentry with the course participants.
Workshops with Matthias Freymadl

Matthias Lehr
The trained goldsmith likes to add playful elements to his hand-forged and cast utility objects of purist functionality, which are only visible at second glance. He runs a workshop for utensils and jewellery in Nuremberg. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg, he is a lecturer at the Advanced Training Centre for Goldsmiths in Ahlen and at the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts.
Workshops with Matthias Lehr

Melanie Kirchlechner
The carpenter, restorer and sculptor is particularly keen to work with wood as freely as possible. She encourages and supports her course participants in making their wooden dreams come true! She also regularly provides insights into her creative work as a specialist author.
Workshops with Melanie Kirchlechner

Michal Hanula
Designer, lecturer and one of the most important representatives of free-style design in Slovakia. A graduate of the Faculty of Arts, Kosice University of Technology, he has been teaching at the University of Applied Arts in Ruzomberok since 2005. He is known for his works in wood. He creates his works using traditional craft techniques, including recycled materials, wire, horn and plastics.
Workshops with Michal Hanula

Pascal Oudet
The wood artist lives and works in the French Alps. He is known worldwide for his unique sandblasted objects, creating a warm weave of wood that emphasises the history of the tree used. His objects are exhibited in the collections of the Atelier d'Art de France, the American Association of Woodturners and the New York Museum of Art and Design.
Workshops with Pascal Oudet

Pauline Adler
After studying at the Weihenstephan College of Floral Art and several further training courses at independent art academies, she has been working as a freelance artist and lecturer since 2007. She is fascinated by working in and with nature. As an environmental educator, she also works in the field of "LandArt" as a mediator of art and nature. She has been working with fresh willow for more than 30 years, enthusiastically developing new themes and utilising traditional weaving techniques.
Workshops with Pauline Adler

Peter Albert
The carpenter learnt his trade in a long-established company in South Baden. After passing his journeyman's and master craftsman's examinations, he has been working as an instructor at the Trade Academy of the Freiburg Chamber of Crafts since 1986. He specialises in project work, such as the construction of a medieval wheel crane for the exhibition "Baustelle Gotik - Das Freiburger Münster" on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of its completion.
Workshops with Peter Albert

Peter Lanz
While studying ethnology, the trained carpenter worked as a set builder at the Munich television studios. For many years, he worked as a freelance cabinetmaker at the Gewerkehalle in Munich and elsewhere. For several years now, he has been passing on his extensive knowledge as a member of the DICTUM workshop team in courses on Japanese wood joinery.
Workshops with Peter Lanz

Peter Wagensonner
As a trained master woodturner, he has been running his own studio since 1987. Sculptures and objects have accompanied the artist for more than 35 years. The trained woodturner produces vessels, urns, wooden spheres and even large sculptures from whole tree trunks. His connection to wood and trees inspires him in his search for form in the material. His works have been shown in numerous galleries, museums and exhibitions.
Workshops with Peter Wagensonner

Philipp Schreistetter
Philipp Schreistetter was a self-employed carpenter for 30 years. He has been intensively involved in woodturning since 2012. He has attended masterclasses with Mike Tingey, Alfred Baumann and Martin Adomat and has continued to develop his skills ever since. Now he wants to share his enthusiasm for woodturning, his knowledge and his experience with course participants. His greatest passion is stone pine wood, which he uses to turn a wide variety of vessels and utensils.
Workshops with Philipp Schreistetter

Ralph Pfersich
Over 3000 course participants on the subject of natural log construction make Ralph Pfersich a very experienced course instructor. But even when he is not teaching, he is dedicated to building log houses: detached houses, hunting lodges, carports, office buildings and large-scale projects have been built under his direction all over the world. He passes on his extensive expertise to his course participants with great enthusiasm.
Workshops with Ralph Pfersich

Stefan Schindler
Stefan Schindler - He grew up in Ansbach / Middle Franconia and Bechhofen an der Heide and trained as a wood sculptor at the state vocational school for wood sculptors in Oberammergau from 2002 - 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Since 2011, he has also been a lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg. He has also been running his own sculpture workshop in Nuremberg since 2012.
Workshops with Stefan Schindler

Stefan Stork
Stefan Stork lives and works in the heart of the Allgäu. After graduating from the master carpentry school, he studied interior design at the Fachakademie für Holzgestaltung in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has been self-employed since 2010. He produces his wood-turned objects mainly from local woods in his small wood-turning workshop. For him, the fascination of wood-turning lies in the design, which begins where functionality ends. Following this principle, anything is possible if you master the "work of the hands".
Workshops with Stefan Stork

Theo Rothkegel
As a student teacher, he was already looking for a way to pursue his preference for natural materials. He found his calling by training as a cooper. Off the beaten track, he has been running a cooperage and a joinery for 25 years, where he produces solid wood furniture according to his own designs.
Workshops with Theo Rothkegel

Thomas Gstettenbauer
The chef and hotel manager is an enthusiastic wildlife fan and knows all about the anatomy of red and fallow deer. As a dedicated hunter, he looks after the largest deer reserve with over 200 animals in the Bavarian Forest Nature Park. Together with his family, he runs the award-winning Wild-Berghof farm in Bernried.
Workshops with Thomas Gstettenbauer

Thomas Steindl
The creative master carpenter is particularly interested in the natural processing of the enchanting material wood. He attends numerous training courses to constantly expand his artistic and technical repertoire. In addition to building traditional longbows, he is passionate about woodturning in many variations, preferably with green wood.
Workshops with Thomas Steindl

Tom Fidgen
Author, musician and designer living in Toronto, Canada, Tom Fidgen writes for magazines such as Popular Woodworking Magazine, Fine Woodworking Magazine and Canadian Woodworking Magazine. His first book "Made by Hand" is considered "The definitive book on woodworking with hand tools". Tom Fidgen teaches hand tool woodworking courses internationally.
Workshops with Tom Fidgen

Ulrich Blaut
The trained blacksmith, master metalworker, master designer and specialist teacher at Michelstadt Vocational College is able to pursue his passion for forging by hand both professionally and privately. He has set up a perfectly equipped forge at home. He is happy to pass on his expertise in working with red-hot steel, thus preventing the old craft from falling into oblivion.
Workshops with Ulrich Blaut

Ulrike Scriba
Influenced by the arts and crafts tradition of her parents' home, Ulrike Scriba attended the Werkkunstschule Darmstadt. After numerous restoration projects, including in the Würzburg Residence, she discovered the art of marquetry for herself. Her sophisticated handcrafted objects, boxes, caskets and trays are now recognised in museums and galleries worldwide.
Workshops with Ulrike Scriba

Werner Haböck
At a time when there were still many small breweries in Lower Bavaria, the craft of cooperage was golden. Today, Werner Haböck from Obergessenbach is the last cooper in the district of Deggendorf. As a former national winner in the craft, the likeable Lower Bavarian is a sought-after specialist for handmade barrels, tubs and tubs made of wood.
Workshops with Werner Haböck

Wolfgang Messert
As a member of the DICTUM workshop team, Wolfgang Messert shares his enthusiasm for the carpentry trade with the course participants. He pays particular attention to the subject of sharpening and ensures that tools and knives are sharp in numerous courses. But even in his spare time, the master carpenter can't let go of the subject of wood, when he creates beautiful marquetry work.
Workshops with Wolfgang Messert