Kolya Panhuyzen was born in Berlin in 1941. As a youngster he often fell asleep to the sound of Tarrega and Sor studies that his father played on the guitar. Kolya himself liked to sing and the guitar became and remains his companion to this day.

Inspired by his uncle, the renowned luthier Edgar Mönch, Kolya built his first guitar in 1967 in the Mönch shop where he became a frequent visitor and observer, making parts for his uncle´s instruments and three more guitars until in 1976 he set up his own workshop in Toronto, Canada.

Thirty years and more than 300 guitars later he continues to make master instruments in Germany during the winter and in Canada during the summer months.