Handpan Maker Spotlight: MattOpan Handpan
- Sheena Dela Cruz
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
For this week’s Handpan Maker Spotlight, we journey into the artistry of MattOpan—a name shaped by rhythm, travel, and transformation.
Matt’s story began in Amsterdam in 2004, where he was busking with tabla and didgeridoo. A chance encounter introduced him to the Hang, though it wasn’t until years later—when a friend lent him one—that he discovered its endless possibilities and became captivated by its sound.
By 2015, Matt was learning the craft of handpan making under Matt Ledgar of Pi Sonic Pans. Two years later, he founded MattOpan, based in the picturesque town of Murwillumbah on Australia’s east coast. His instruments carry echoes of his tabla roots, street performances, and the spirit of discovery that first drew him to the Hang.
That same spirit of transformation lives on in MattOpan’s creations today—handpans that embody, innovation, and the journey from chance encounter to timeless artistry.
What is your company name? And what is the meaning/inspiration behind it?
MattOpan Handpans. I wanted to call it Opan but that business name was taken so I settled for MattOpan. People call me MattO or MattyO.
Who is your company run by? Do you work alone or with a team of people?
I work alone. I have a soundproof room in my shed under my house and do my best work when my family are all out of the house.
Year Founded:
I started learning to make Handpans from Matt Ledgar from Pi Sonic Pans in about 2015 and founded my own business, in around 2017.
Location:
I'm based in a beautiful town called Murwillumbah in Northern NSW on the East coast of Australia.
How did you first discover the handpan?
I was playing a lot of tabla and living in Amsterdam and busking with Didgeridoo. Someone on the streets showed me the PANArt Hang and said you could buy them for about 400 Euro, I think it was about 2004. Unfortunately, I was so obsessed with the Tabla and had too much stuff to bring back to Australia so I didn't buy a Hang at that time. A couple of years later a friend lent me their Hang and I became obsessed with it and the endless possibilities.
What made you decide to start building handpans?
It was around 2014 when Matt Ledgar kept at me about learning to make Handpans with him. I was reluctant to get caught up hammering metal all day and didn't think I would be able to but he was adamant so eventually I gave in and struggled through the first year of not being able to do anything right. I think it took me at least 5 years to start making pans that I thought sounded good! I still I improve with every pan.
What is your goal as a handpan builder?
To keep improving with every pan. to extend my range of notes and overcome the many difficulties with making Handpans, also to feel confidant as a pan maker and feel like i know what I'm doing.
What would you say your instruments are known for?
I strive to create my own tonality and timbre. My pans have a fairly raw look to them, they don't look factory made at all. I offer caring service to all my customers and I'm helpful to people wanting to learn rhythm and handpan playing.
If you could only play one handpan scale for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
D Celtic 18 note or more. With a big range of notes going down to A2 and up to F5 with tuned Gu hole and shoulder tones, as well as midi triggers on each note. I could play and create endless variations and always be learning new musical ideas. For 8 or more years all I had was one pan tuned to F minor pentatonic and I recorded an album with just this. There is a lot you can do with just a few notes and a head full of ideas and rhythms. So a D celtic with extended range would be endless fun and inspiring.
Tell me 1 interesting fact about you, your company, or your instruments.
Before having children I was a dedicated musician and multi instrumentalist. I have performed in many different countries and toured with several different groups.
Some examples that come to mind are touring New Zealand with a world music group (Yeshe and the world citizens), touring Europe with a Czech fire group, performing in India with Didgeridoo and a street performance comprised of people from India, France, Czech Republic, and Australia. Touring France and Belgium with a small Contact Juggling performance, and playing in theatres and schools. I've also played in many festivals in Australia with Electronic music and improvised music groups.
I love playing in odd times and rhythms and I use numbers to create rhythmic patterns. Making the instruments I play is the logical extension of playing instruments such as didgeridoo, kalimba, and flutes.
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 and offer 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. Making pans and them not sounding good enough is sometimes a little heart breaking.
Do you take custom orders?
Yes.
Do you have instruments currently available to purchase?
Yes.
Do you have a waiting list? If so, how long?
I have just a couple of people on my waiting list. Business has been very slow in the last 2 years.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring handpan makers?
Don't let your failures stop you. Every failed handpan is a learning opportunity. If you have messed up a pan then you are now free to try new things on that pan, like new shaping techniques or experiments. If you split a note when dimpling then make something out of it just for the fun.
For more information about MattOpan Handpan:
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