Our People

Jeff is the head of the Bookbinding Department, a 2003 graduate of the American Academy of Bookbinding, and a graduate of the program. After graduating, Jeff worked at Harcourt Bindery and Harvard University’s Tozzer Library. He is a past Chair of the New England Chapter of the Guild Book Workers and has mentored many NBSS graduates as they serve in GBW leadership positions. Jeff operates a bindery in Somerville, MA, and he specializes in traditional leather bindings, metalworking for bookbinding, and bookbinding exhibits.

Roman is originally from Zakopane, Poland, and began making his first violins at age 14, when he attended the Secondary School of Fine Arts. He studied music and violin making for five years at the Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan, Poland, eventually receiving his Master of Fine Arts.

Roman came to the U.S. in 1996, where he worked for more than nine years specializing in violin restoration at Psarianos Violins in Troy, Michigan. He has studied with Hans Nebel and Boyd Paulsen, and is a regular participant in the Oberlin Violin Making Workshop. Among Roman’s past commissions was a replacement Gaspar da Salo viola for the late Nathan Gordon, a former Concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, one of Roman’s violins earned him a Certificate of Merit for tone for at the 2010 Violin Society of America violin-making competition.

Michael Burrey is a timber-frame joinery specialist renowned for his expertise in 17th-century building techniques, including roof thatching, interior wall construction, and historic paint finishes. After earning a degree in Early American and Colonial Life, he served as an Interpretive Artisan at Plimoth Plantation, blending research with hands-on interpretation of colonial craftsmanship.

In 1999, Michael founded MLB Restorations, focusing on restoring historic buildings and designing sustainable structures rooted in traditional craftsmanship. His work on significant historic preservation projects has established him as a leader in the field. Michael was selected in 2014 to restore the Tower of London and, more recently, contributed to the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral after its 2019 fire. Collaborating with Handshouse Studio and French carpentry firm Asselin, he helped reconstruct the Cathedral’s iconic timber spire, which debuted during its December 2024 reopening.

Michael’s work has been featured by CNN, Elle Decor, and The Boston Globe, celebrating his role in preserving and restoring some of the world’s most treasured landmarks.

Since graduating from the Cabinet & Furniture Making program in 2009, Eli has been working as a custom furniture maker in the Greater Boston Area. For five years, he also worked on the PBS series Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy Mac. Eli teaches the summer Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive, Introduction to SketchUp, and also spends his time creating custom furniture for clients.

Debbie Cyr, RPT learned tuning in 1990 as an apprentice, and in 1992 attended the Advanced Piano Technology at NBSS, which specializes in rebuilding grand pianos. A Registered Piano Technician since 1994, she has worked as a rebuilder, has been a Piano Technology Instructor at NBSS since 1995, and has an extensive private tuning clientele. Debbie is also the piano technician at Brandeis University, as well as a past president and active member of the Boston Chapter Piano Technician Guild. She teaches and does tuning and technical exams at seminars and conventions on the local, regional and national levels.

Eddy Dacius LK ’13 the Department Head and Instructor. Since graduating from NBSS in 2013, Eddy has been doing contract work in locksmithing and founded his own company, Dacius Facilities Management, serving clients including Jewish Family and Children Service and the Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center. He’s also a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Security Professionals Association and an ALOA Fire Door Inspector, and has a degree in Project Management.

Thomas is an instructor for the second year of the Preservation Carpentry program. He also operates his own preservation business, with a particular focus on historic windows and doors and is interested in mid- to late Victorian era houses. He comes from an education background in the sciences, most recently as a teacher of 15 years in the Quincy Public Schools. Thomas also teaches in our Community Education department.

Haley is an instructor in the Jewelry Making & Repair department. She came to NBSS as a student after working in the jewelry making field for several years, wanting to pursue mastery of her skills. After graduating she went to work as a bench jeweler and stone setter for a local jewelry manufacturer. She is currently pursuing her Graduate of Gemology degree from GIA, and works as a sole proprietor of her own business, taking custom jobs and repairs from her home studio in Somerville.

Tracey is the Department Head of the Jewelry Making & Repair program and an Instructor. She is a 2005 graduate of the program and also graduated from Bridgewater State University with a BFA in 2001. Additionally, Tracey has studied various areas of design at the Art Institute of Florence and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

After graduating from NBSS, Tracey worked a variety of jewelry industry jobs from stone setting to casting. She also started her own business right out of school, specializing in custom engagement and wedding jewelry. In recent years she has been working on mastering various techniques of enameling to include in her work.

Ellen is a custom furniture maker and graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program. She owns Ellen Kaspern Design and is a member of the cooperative Charlestown Furniture Makers in Boston, MA. In addition to designing and building custom furniture, she has been teaching woodworking and furniture making for 20 years. Her workshop teaching experience includes NBSS, Massachusetts College of Art & Design,  Yestermorrow Design Build School and Florida School of Woodwork. Ellen demonstrates woodworking techniques throughout New England. She has given talks and demonstrations at the National Museum of Industrial Industry, Boston Design Week, Boston Athenaeum, Peabody Essex Museum, Old Sturbridge Village and Society of Arts & Crafts. She has written articles for Fine Woodworking Magazine and Woodcraft Magazine. Many of her lessons are featured in instructional videos for Fine Woodworking Magazine.

Martha joined the faculty in 2009. A part-time teacher at the School, Martha is a Portland, Maine bookbinder with extensive experience in conservation. She worked as a conservator for Harvard University’s Weissman Preservation Center, the Houghton and Baker Libraries, and the library of Northwestern University.

Brock graduated from the School’s Preservation Carpentry program, and has worked on a variety of preservation and building projects throughout New England. He previously taught Continuing Education courses and served as an assistant in both the Carpentry and Preservation Carpentry programs.

After graduating from the Cabinet and Furniture Making program in 2007, Nicholas built high end cabinetry and architectural millwork in the Boston Metro area. Later, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving active duty for eight years. Following military discharge, he enrolled at the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts, where he studied for three more years under the late Phil Lowe, an NBSS graduate and former Department Head. During his second year as a student, Nicholas began teaching various workshops at the Furniture Institute. Since then, he has taught woodworking classes across New England, for educators such as the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Lexington Arts Society, and Woodcraft of Woburn.