Robert (Robbie) O’Brien began his guitar building career in São Paulo, Brazil in 1997 under the tutelage of Antonio Tessarin. After returning to the United States, he studied acoustic building under Kent Everett in Atlanta, Georgia. He has also studied with renowned classical builder José Romanillos. In 2003 Robbie founded the Lutherie program in the Fine Woodworking Department at a college in Denver,  Colorado. He developed the program into one of the largest lutherie schools in the United States.  He has taught master classes and complete building courses in Brazil, Taiwan, Spain, Canada and the United States. Robbie has created online video instructional courses encompassing building and finishing of a variety of instruments.  He has written articles for American Lutherie magazine and lectured at the Guild of American Luthiers convention in Tacoma, Washington.  In 2007, Robbie introduced his popular Luthier Tips du Jour video series on YouTube where he offers free advice on a variety of topics related to lutherie. Viewings by luthiers and woodworkers around the globe have topped 10.5 million. Most recently he created a new site called Lutherie Academy, which is fast becoming the “GO TO” portal for all topics lutherie related. Robbie designs, builds and sells custom classical, flamenco, steel string and electric guitars one at a time to the specifications of his clients.  He lives with his wife and children in Parker, Colorado.