L-R Adrienne Garneau, Rob De Groot, Will Leslie, Daniël Bögemann, Matt Holzinger, Ella Kay-Butterworth, Jim Beringer

Daniël Bögemann – Manager/Technician

After completing my Master’s in Tuba Performance, I embarked on a diverse playing career that took me across symphony orchestras in both The Netherlands and Australia, musical theatre groups, chamber ensembles, and for seven years with The Marine Band of the Royal Dutch Navy—one of the world’s top military bands. This extensive experience has given me a deep understanding of the relationship between a musician and their instrument.

Upon moving to Australia, I chose to merge my musical background with my passion for ‘fixing things.’ Having always enjoyed working with my hands and tools, I found my true calling in this field.

I completed my traineeship at the Billy Hyde brass and woodwind workshop in Blackburn, where I was fortunate to learn from mentors like Jim Beringer, Peter Jerabek, and Phil Noy. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing my skills and knowledge, attending various brass and woodwind repair conferences and visiting workshops throughout Europe.

I increasingly find that my background as a professional musician enriches my work as a technician, enabling me to help players of all levels achieve the best performance from their instruments.

Jim Beringer – Technician

I arrived in Australia in 1972 and explored various roles, eventually becoming a sales representative with Allan’s Music Print Wholesale division. During this period, I studied trumpet with Lance Black, a player with the MSO at the time. Lance’s influence sparked my interest in brass instrument repair, a fortuitous turn since I would have made a poor trumpet player.

After returning to the US for a few years, I completed a Band Instrument Repair course at Western Iowa Technical College in Sioux City, Iowa. I came back to Australia in 1981 and launched Beringer Brass & Woodwind, an instrument repair business located on Bank Street, South Melbourne.

In 1991, I founded Bandstand Rentals, relocating to Bay Street, Port Melbourne in 1996. The business provided instruments for schools until I sold it to Musicorp in 2003.  I then worked at their Canterbury store until it was acquired by Billy Hyde Blackburn in 2005. I continued there until 2011, when Daniël established WindCraft Repair, where I have been contributing ever since.

I have wide knowledge and skills in the repair and service of all wind instruments but continue to refine those skills and learn more each day.

Robert de Groot – Technician

I joined WindCraft in 2017, bringing 17 years of experience and refined craftsmanship from the cabinet-making industry. Under the guidance of Daniël and Jim, I have evolved into an accomplished brass and woodwind technician, with a particular focus on flutes and piccolos. In 2023, I had the opportunity to train with Joel Straubinger and became a certified Straubinger technician, further honing my skills in flute repair and applying this expertise to other woodwinds as well.

In addition to my technical skills, I have a strong background in custom-designing solutions, creating 3D computer models, and programming and operating 3D printers and laser cutters. This expertise allows me to develop and create custom repair tools and innovative solutions for complex repair challenges.

In my spare time, I enjoy building highly detailed scale models—such as tall ships, aircraft, and medieval castles—that require a high level of patience, precision, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Matthew Holzinger – Technician

After completing my Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance and earning an international postgraduate diploma under the esteemed professor Ole Kristian Dahl, I enjoyed a career as an orchestral bassoonist. My journey included performing with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Norwegian Youth Orchestra, and Det Norske Blåseensemble in Norway. I had the privilege of playing under the direction of renowned conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Simone Young, and Christopher Hogwood. Despite these highlights, I realised that an orchestral career wasn’t the right fit for me.

I explored various fields including event hire, regional grain storage, asbestos removal, and NBN construction, before discovering an opportunity in brass and woodwind repair. I trained with Brian and Aaron Ebert at Ozwinds Brass and Woodwind in Moorabbin, where I spent nearly five years honing my skills. I am now at WindCraft Repair, to further refine my craft.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, playing video games, and making a bit of a spectacle of myself on the golf course. Additionally, I run a small hobby business with my father, creating stylish reed cases from Australian hardwoods under the name Holzinger Reed Accessories.