Woodworking

Kenneth Ray

Teaching Philosophy: Instill • Inspire • Empower

Woodworking, at its best, blends precision with creativity. My own practice is grounded in traditional hand tool work—chisels, saws, and planes—and my specialty lies in classic joinery, including dovetails and mortise and tenon construction.
My teaching focuses on three guiding principles:
• Instill a disciplined attention to the task at hand, nurturing the hand–eye coordination essential for effective use of hand tools.
• Inspire an appreciation for the craft, its traditions, and the personal satisfaction that comes from skillful, thoughtful work.
• Empower students to grow in confidence and capability, encouraging them to bring their own creativity to every project.
My goal is to help each student develop not only technical skill, but also the mindset and artistic awareness that allow woodworking to become a deeply rewarding lifelong craft.

My current woodworking path began around 2001 at the old University of Michigan Student Woodshop. That early exposure sparked a curiosity that quickly grew, and—with substantial help from YouTube—I began studying traditional joinery in depth.
Seeking structured instruction, I enrolled in carpentry courses at Washtenaw Community College, where we were fortunate to learn from Peter Beal. Over several years, I focused intensely on improving my hand tool technique, eventually developing strong proficiency in hand cut dovetails for small boxes, frames, and other fine work.
Around 2012 or 2013, I partnered with the Ann Arbor Public Schools Recreation & Education (Rec & Ed) program to teach my first class in hand tool joinery. Since then, we have offered multiple beginning and intermediate courses. Today, Rec & Ed, in collaboration with Maker Works, continues to host several hand tool woodworking classes—meeting a growing community demand for traditional craft skills.
This journey has been both challenging and deeply rewarding, shaped by continuous learning. In recent years I have studied at several renowned craft schools, including:
• North Bennet Street School (Boston)
• Florida School of Woodworking (Tampa)
• Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (Rockport, Maine)
• Port Townsend School of Woodworking (Port Townsend, Washington)
• Pine Croft (Berea, Kentucky)
Each experience has strengthened my technical foundation, broadened my perspective, and reinforced my commitment to sharing the craft with others.