Welcome to Brightwood Projects

We specialize in custom string instrument building, museum-grade restoration, and repairs.

We specialize in lute-family instruments, with a focus on Middle Eastern, Central Asian, North African, and Mediterranean instruments.

Our mission is to help communities and families preserve their musical heritage through instrument restoration. We also build new instruments to help younger generations and professionals continue their traditions.

Jesse Kenas Collins

Jesse Kenas Collins is a luthier based in Worcester. He has over a decade of carpentry and museum collections experience. Jesse started his studies with Walter Stanul at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Since 2022, Jesse has been apprenticed to master luthier Chris Pantazelos of Spartan Instruments.

Some of the instruments we work on include:

  • Oud

  • Lute

    Bouzouki, tzoura, and baglama

  • Kanun/Qanun

  • Kemenche

  • Saz