Meet The Founder

Jeff Menzies, JAarts Director Business Owner: ”Menzies Instruments”

Jeff Menzies brings over two decades of international experience in arts education. He has taught at prestigious institutions, including the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU) in Toronto, The Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica. Jeff holds an MFA in Sculpture/Visual Arts from York University and an AOCAD diploma in Sculpture from OCADU.

Beyond his academic background, Jeff has studied under renowned banjo makers Wyatt Fawley, Mike Ramsey, and Clarke Buehling. Since 2005, he has been teaching "The Art of Gourd Banjo Making" workshops globally, blending visual artistry with musical craftsmanship. His handcrafted banjos, over 1,000 to date, are housed in institutions such as the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix and the Jamaica Music Museum (IOJ) in Kingston. His instruments have been played by legendary musicians, including Mike Seeger, Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Tanya Stephens. Jeff is also an accomplished furniture designer, sculptor, and multi-instrumentalist, performing traditional American old-time music on banjo, fiddle, and double bass.

Partnerships and Collaborations

JAarts actively collaborates with artists, educators, and institutions across the Caribbean and beyond. Notable partners include:

  • Dom Flemons “The American Songster” (Grammy-winning musician)

  • Kumar Bent (Reggae musician, Raging Fyah)

  • Michael Sean Harris (Musician, Assistant Professor, Berklee College of Music)

  • Herbie Miller (Director, Jamaica Music Museum)

  • Katie Dieter (Director of Advanced Studies and Community Engaged Learning, Department of African and African American Studies, Stanford University)

Board of Directors

  • Dr. Katie Dieter - Director of Advanced Studies & Community-Engaged Learning, Stanford University

  • Michael Sean Harris - Assistant Professor & Musician, Berklee College of Music

  • Jason Wedemeyer - Non-profit Management & Educator, Oregon AFSCME

  • Jeff Menzies - Musical Instrument Maker, Visual Artist & Educator, JAarts Director