A world-renowned guitar maker from Almonte is being celebrated for both her craft and her compassion.
Linda Manzer is the first woman to gain international acclaim as a master luthier, building custom guitars played by some of the biggest names in music. Her work recently earned her one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of Canada.
Manzer told host Lynda D’Aoust the recognition came as a shock.
A major part of that recognition is tied to her Sunflower Guitar, created after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Manzer built the instrument in just 29 days, hoping to raise modest funds for humanitarian aid.
Instead, the guitar travelled across North America, signed and played by more than 140 musicians, raising a lot of money.
Manzer continues her work from her shop in Almonte, still building guitars by hand, one note at a time.
You can listen to Lynda’s complete interview with Linda Manzer below.
