Mike first started woodworking at age ten with the help of a mentor. During high school, he worked as a wooden boat-building apprentice at Arey's Pond Boat Yard on Cape Cod. Being from Vermont, it was natural for Mike to attend the Vermont Woodworking School. He now holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Woodworking and Furniture Design. When Mike is not at the Shelburne Craft School he can be found studying at the University of Vermont, where is he currently pursuing a teaching degree.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Ryan has been a resident woodworker at the Shelburne Craft School since 2011. Ryan received his BA from SUNY Geneseo and a Masters of Education from Johnson State College. Ryan studied furniture-making at the Vermont Woodworking school as an apprentice under Bob Fletcher. Ryan manages the wood shop, adult woodworking classes, youth woodworking classes, and open studio nights.