In 1982 Josef P Gabriel began his apprenticeship as a bow maker under Alfons Riedel in Bubenreuth, where he stayed to work after completion of his apprenticeship. In 1987 Gabriel completed his master craftsman’s examination & opened his own workshop. Gabriel has won numerous awards for his bows including a Gold Medal at the International Competition & Exhibition of the Violin Society of America (VSA) & a Silver & Bronze Medal in the International Violin Making Competition in Mittenwald, Germany.