Woodworking/Lutherie Instructors
Robbie O'Brien
Department Head
Website
More About Robbie
Department Head
- Classic Guitar
- Steel String Guitar
- Advanced Guitar
- French Polish
- Advanced Finishing
Website
More About Robbie
Robbie has been building guitars for 15 years and teaching lutherie at Red Rocks for 9 years. He is the author of several DVDs on guitar construction & finishing, and the author of the
popular Youtube series Luthier Tips du
Jour™. He also has online
courses available via his website. Rand Richards
- Intro to Woodworking
- Bench Building
- Furniture II
- Furniture III
Rand took over the woodworking program at Red Rocks in
2002. With innovative skills, aggressive marketing, and an
unbounded passion for teaching and woodworking, he created a
community of woodworkers unique in the country. His focus has
also been to create a staff of teachers and assistants that
will ensure the program continues to grow and flourish for
years to come. 
Linda Armour
- Fundamentals of Woodworking
After 40 years as a woodworker and guitar player, Mike put the two together and has been building acoustic guitars under the label “Treesong Guitars.” He has sold to musicians in Denver, Nashville Lubbock & New York City. “I love watching the legacy of each instrument being created over time!”
Geoff has been teaching in the FIW program since 2005 and
currently teaches the mandolin building class in the Spring
semesters only. 
Brian Deckebach
- Guitar Setup & Repair
- Adv. Guitar Finish & Setup
After receiving a Certificate of Lutherie in 2009, Gregory
has taught in both Lutherie and Fine Woodworking at RRCC. As a
guitarist, his interest is predominately Spanish Classical and Contemporary Flamenco music. Rich Gady
Website
- Veneering and Marquetry
- Bending and Laminations
- Intro to Cabinetmaking
Website
With over 30 years experience building cabinets and veneer
and marquetry panels, Rich has been teaching woodworking at
RRCC since 1994. He has shown his artwork in many local,
national and international art shows. 
Sean built an award winning business called Fine Art
Woodworking. He provides abstract contemporary wood art for
corporate installations, exclusive galleries and participates
in the top juried shows across the country.
Right action is comprehensive; Build with intention. 
Pete specializes in solid wood custom furniture. His
designs often feature a sense of movement with a dash of
whimsy.
Randy Nelson
- Wood Finishing
- Furniture Restoration
A Mechanical Engineer by trade, Randy has also been making furniture, doors and cabinets for over 20 years. His woodworking also includes commercial restoration projects, restoring furniture and other custom projects. 
After earning a BFA from KU and a successful communications
career, Pat setup Trail Mix Studio to design and build studio
furniture. She has been published in Fine Woodworking Design
Book 8, 500 Tables and Studio Furniture. Her work is in homes
across the U.S.
Roper is the winner of the 2010 Educational Opportunity
Grant and the April 2011 Turning Challenge from the Front Range
Woodturners, 2011 Collegian Excellence Award winner from the
American Association of Woodturners and 1st Place Art Sculpture
at the Denver County Fair 2011. Mike Paslay
- Fundamentals of Woodworking
- Intro to Cabinetmaking
- Furniture I
Through his wholesale fine wood products company, Mike sold
to Woodley's Fine Furniture, McGuckin and
other furniture and gift retail stores. He is a graduate of the
University of Colorado. Mike has been instructing in the FIW
program since 2002.
Neil Scherrer
- Doormaking
- Cabinetmaking II & III
- Furniture I
- Furniture II
For over 40 years Neil has been designing and building
custom cabinetry. His favorite type of woodworking is to
reproduce historic millwork. Neil has been teaching at Red
Rocks since 1995, passing along new technology and concepts in
woodworking as well as the old methods. 
Mike Snider
Web Site
- Electric Guitar
- Adv Electric Guitar
- Inlay Techniques
- Fundamentals
Web Site
Mike is the owner of Snider Guitars where he creates
handmade electric and steel string guitars and custom inlay. He
has been teaching at Red Rocks since 2007. His sharp wit and
rugged good looks make him a favorite among students and
faculty alike. Patrick Shannon
- Furniture III
- Intro to Cabinetmaking
In addition to instructing students, Patrick is the Shop
Manager of the Fine Woodworking Dept. Thanks to Patrick keeping
the dept. in good order, the shop is a pleasure to work
in. Vince Wilson
- Intro to Woodworking
Email
Vince received an M.A. and a B.A. from San Diego State University in Industrial Arts with emphasis in Metalworking and Furniture Design. He was awarded Best of Show & Peoples Choice Award at the RRCC Spring 2010 Open House. Furniture and turned objects continue to be the focus of Vince’s woodworking business.