Dustin was born in Mississippi and raised in Florida. He started playing guitar while in high school and joined the viola section of the school orchestra with a desire to learn how to read music. A local luthier visited the orchestra and Dustin became fascinated with the idea of making string instruments. After graduating high school and a few years of commercial construction Dustin enrolled in the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. He is expected to graduate in May 2015 with a Certificate of Luthier. In his free time, Dustin enjoys hiking, camping, gaming, and has developed an interest in pottery.