In my experience, those who take up lutherie are generally either players or woodworkers willing to embrace intransigent, even belligerent, materials. I fall into both categories, because I began learning to play the violin at twelve, but had already discovered an affinity with wood.
Whilst teaching furniture making/design, and antique restoration and conservation at London College of Furniture (part of London Metropolitan University now), I began violin making as a serious enquiry into the craft. I have since left teaching furniture and now divide my time equally between instrument making and repairing and teaching violin making in Cambridge.