A passionate musician and ceilidh band member, Bevan is keen to expand his knowledge of the construction and repair of melodeons. A 2023 QEST Apprenticeship will support him during his training with Michael Rowbotham of Michael Rowbotham Melodeons.
During the apprenticeship, Bevan intends to grow into a competent craftsman with the necessary skills and knowledge in melodeon restoration and tuning so that he can make beautifully sounding and crafted instruments, and establish himself as a successful and professional businessman. Skills they will cover include how to insert a new soundboard, reconfigure the instrument’s interior to add extra reed blocks, turn two voices into three voices and add pull stops. Bevan will be contributing to the thriving folk tradition which has an increasing number of a new generation of melodeon players, including professional, semi professional, performers, teachers, amateur players.