An interview with Breedlove’s new VP reveals a story of passion, craftsmanship, and quiet leadership—23 years in the making.
Breedlove Guitars has always been about more than just building instruments—it’s about people, purpose, and the pursuit of craft. And there may be no better embodiment of that ethos than Angela Christensen, who was recently promoted to Vice President of Operations after more than two decades of hands-on experience across every corner of the company.
We sat down with Angela at the Breedlove Custom Shop to reflect on her journey from woodshop apprentice to executive leadership, and to hear what’s next for the brand as it enters a bold new chapter.
A Serendipitous Start
Angela didn’t come to Bend in search of a guitar career. In 2002, freshly graduated with a fine arts degree from Arizona State University—emphasis in sculpture and woodworking—she moved to Oregon for a change of pace and quality of life.
“I just wanted to live somewhere beautiful,” she says. “I thought I’d end up building cabinets or custom furniture.”
But fate intervened. Driving back from a visit to a foundry in Sisters, Angela spotted a modest sign on the roadside for Breedlove Guitars, then based in nearby Tumalo. On a whim, portfolio in hand, she walked in and asked if they were hiring.
They were. She was hired on the spot.
Learning from the Inside Out
Angela’s early days were spent in the woodshop—milling braces, processing raw tonewoods, and prepping guitar bodies for assembly. She worked under the guidance of Breedlove co-founder Kim Breedlove, who saw her curiosity and potential.
“I wanted to learn everything,” she recalls. “From brace carving to side bending, to inlay and final assembly—I just kept asking questions.”
Over the years, Angela’s role evolved. She began purchasing wood. Then managing inventory. Then working in product development, final assembly, and CNC inlay processing. When Tom Bedell purchased the company in 2010, she helped design and launch the U.S.-built Bedell Guitars line.
“I had my hands in everything,” Angela says. “Wood sourcing, SAP system design, bill of materials, costing, inventory—you name it. I never stopped learning.”
Leading the Next Chapter
Now, under the new ownership of Nashville-based musicians Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard, Breedlove is entering a new era—and Angela is helping lead the way.
As VP of Operations, she now oversees every aspect of the business: production, product design, sales, and go-to-market strategy.
“I’m excited to simplify,” she says. “To take a step back, refocus on what we do best, and build a line that’s easier to understand and get into players’ hands. It’s about clarity and purpose.”
She’s also laser-focused on USA-made instruments: “We’re starting at the roots—getting the foundation right here before expanding outward.”
Quiet Trailblazer
While she’s reluctant to draw attention to it, Angela is likely one of the highest-ranking women in the guitar manufacturing world—a historically male-dominated space. But it’s not something she’s let define her.
“I grew up a tomboy. I’ve always been comfortable in the shop or out in the field,” she says. “I just never saw gender as something that should limit me.”
That said, representation matters. And Angela knows her story may inspire others.
“I’d love to be a touchpoint for younger women,” she says. “When I was in high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do—but I knew I wanted to be part of music. Follow your passion. Be authentic. And don’t be afraid to start somewhere unexpected.”
Her own path into woodworking started on a road trip—after visiting a wolf sanctuary in Idaho and falling in love with a pair of hand-carved wooden doors. “I got home and immediately started looking for jobs in cabinet shops. That one moment changed my whole life.”
What’s Next
Breedlove is at a turning point, and Angela is helping shape what comes next.
Her approach? Intentional, collaborative, and grounded in decades of craft.
“We’re not just making guitars,” she says. “We’re building something meaningful—for our customers, our artists, and our team. And we’re just getting started.”
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