Pava decided to make a slight career change after living in the U.S. for a few years. Gaining employment at Collings Guitars she was first introduced to the Luthiery world. She began in the finish and sanding department. Collings quickly noticed Pava’s skill and promoted her to the mandolin department where she built F-5 models.

In 2003 Pava came to work for Tom Ellis at Precision Pearl Inc. As an associate of Precision Pearl Inc. her duties included all aspects of the inlay process. Pava’s talent was best reflected in her hand inlay work.

Involved from the start, it was Pava’s skill that helped Tom to resurge the Ellis Mandolin brand in 2005. She is responsible for much of the hand crafting that goes into an Ellis Mandolin. Pava does binding, gluing and sanding. She also does repair work for Precision Pearl Inc. and Ellis Mandolins.

Early in 2012 Tom decided it was time Pava took the skills that she has collectively gathered through her experience. Using the same techniques that have made Ellis Mandolins one of the most sought after instruments on the market Pava is now producing her own.