Handpan Maker Spotlight: Amatis Handpans
- Sheena Dela Cruz
- May 26
- 3 min read
For this week's Handpan Maker Spotlight, we introduce Amatis, a one-person project founded in 2019 by a percussionist from the Tiroler Symphonie-Orchester, Innsbruck.
The name Amatis combines the founder’s daughters’ names—Amalia and Metis—with the Italian word Amati, meaning ‘loved.’ With a background in steelpans since 1995 with training in Trinidad and the USA, the transition to crafting handpans was a natural evolution.
Inspired by their discovery of the Hang in 2003, Amatis strives to create handpans that are not only beautiful and precise but also chromatically versatile. For the founder, it’s always about the music, whether it’s bass, guitar, percussion, or handpan.
What is your company name? And what is the meaning/inspiration behind it?
Amatis. "Ama" stands for Amalia, "Tis" for Metis, the names of my two daughters, and "Amati" means loved in Italian, which I also liked.
Who is your company run by? Do you work alone or with a team of people?
I work alone, and because my main job is being a percussionist in an orchestra (Tiroler Symphonie-Orchester, Innsbruck) I can always hammer and build Instruments when I have time.
Year Founded:
2019
Location:
I work and live in Innsbruck, but I'm originally from Germany, near Frankfurt / Main.
How did you first discover the handpan?
I first discovered the Hang in 2003 at Afroton in Frankfurt, but after playing it for a while I preferred steelpans again, since that instrument has 29 tones and is also chromatic.
What made you decide to start building handpans?
I've been playing steelpans for a very long time, since 1995. I learned to tune steel drums in Trinidad and the USA in 2017. From there it was a natural path that I eventually ended up building handpans.
What is your goal as a handpan builder?
The goal is of course to build the perfect handpan, sound, optics, chromatic, so that you can play everything.
What would you say your instruments are known for?
I build instruments ranging from 9 tone instruments to instruments with 23 tone fields for beginners to professionals.
What are your most and least favorite things about being a handpan builder?
The beautiful thing about making a handpan is the almost meditative process when a sound is created, first of all it is just drawn, then the shape, then the fundamental note, the overtones, the sound shapes itself more and more until it finally sounds. I have to say, for me building is just as much fun as playing!
If you could only play one handpan scale for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
I am convinced that the chromatic scale will prevail in the long term, so that you can play everything on one instrument, whether it's free play, pop songs, or jazz.
Tell me 1 interesting fact about you, your company, or your instruments.
My main job is being a percussionist in an orchestra. Fortunately, I don't have any financial pressure and have the luxury of taking my time with the instruments.
What are your most and least favorite things about being a handpan builder?
My most favorite is being able to create whatever scale I want, also making better sounding pans and extending my range. I also love being able to make people happy by offering them this incredible instrument that spreads joy everywhere.
My least favorite is wrecking my arm and I worry how long i can actually do this for. Running a business is very challenging and being able to afford to keep going is stressful. Also, making Pans and them sounding not quite good enough is sometimes a little heart breaking.
Do you take custom orders?
Yes.
Do you have instruments currently available to purchase?
Yes, always about 10 instruments.
Do you have a waiting list? If so, how long?
It depends, sometimes yes.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring handpan makers?
Keep on hammering! With every handpan you learn something new. Sometimes it's just small things, but they are also important. The instrument shows you the way, through the success or failure of the hammer blow.
For more information about Amatis Handpan:
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