Founder and Artistic Director JohnPaul@BuzardOrgans.com John-Paul Buzard is founder and artistic director of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, based in Champaign, Illinois. He began his career in organbuilding by working as an apprentice organ technician in high school and college. He was appointed Curator of Organs for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign following graduate school, […] Read More
President and Tonal Director Fredrick Bahr joined the Buzard staff in January 2020 as Service Department Director, and currently serves as president and tonal director. During his more than forty years in the organ building industry, he has played a significant role in the creation of more than 60 new pipe organs throughout the United […] Read More
Associate Tonal Director Felix Franken is an experienced organbuilder who joined us in 2015. He started building organs in 2008 as apprentice at HP Mebold Orgelbau Siegen/Germany where he as trained in all aspects of historic craftsmanship in organbuilding and as tonal assistant. In 2012 he earned a Degree in Organbuilding from the Oscar-Walcker-School of […] Read More
Service Director Keith@BuzardOrgans.com Keith Williams is the Service Department Director and an Associate in Marketing and Sales with Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, LLC, beginning in the year 2000. He is a member of the American Institute of Organbuilders, the American Guild of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. He holds a Bachelor of Music from […] Read More
Assistant Director of Service and Technician Kipp Cortez has led a varied and interesting career as a church organist, choral conductor, university professor, carillonneur, and now, organ builder. In his role in the Service Department at Buzard, he does tuning, restoration work, helps manage the tuning schedule, performs intake visits for new clients, and occasionally […] Read More
Consultant Emeritus Charles Eames is Consultant Emeritus of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, LLC. He is a member of the American American Institute of Organbuilders, the American Guild of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. He holds degrees from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, 1972, and William Jewell College in Organ Performance, 1970. He […] Read More
Office Manager Jef@Buzardorgans.com Jef Player joined the staff of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders in 2018. He is an Illini Alumni and his frame of reference includes Administration, Logistics and Education. Jef has enjoyed woodworking since an early age. He is elated to be part of the Buzard family. At age 6 my first tool was a […] Read More
Production Director & Chief Engineer Shane@BuzardOrgans.com Shane Rhoades joined Buzard in 2007 and found his skills to be a solid foundation for the art and trade of organ building. A third-generation carpenter and cabinet maker, he is a proud graduate of the Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters Trade School. He also has college coursework […] Read More
Shop Foreman Mike Meyer came to Buzard in April of 2012 and is now shop foreman. He is responsible for oversight of the production staff, quality control and shop safety and maintenance. He did siding and roofing and also worked with the Champaign Park District. Mike has a BS in Recreational Management from the University […] Read More
Service Department Foreman Dave@BuzardOrgans.com Dave Brown, a second generation organbuilder, Dave spent childhood days in the factory of Brown and Arkley, Organbuilders of Sydney, visiting big projects like Brisbane City Hall (Willis) and Townsville Anglican Cathedral (B&A), and much time was spent during his teenage years helping out with new organs and rebuilding projects with his father's present firm, Ian […] Read More