ROCKPORT — Woodworker Tim Rousseau has been appointed lead instructor for the nine-month Comprehensive course at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, in Rockport. At the start of the next session, in September, he takes the reins from craftsman Aled Lewis, who has headed the program since 2009.

“The Comprehensive is our flagship training in contemporary wood craftsmanship and design,” said Peter Korn, the Center’s executive director, in a news release. “We are incredibly fortunate to have an instructor of Tim’s caliber and accomplishments ready to build on the success of the program under Aled Lewis and, before him, David Upfill-Brown.”

Rousseau, who lives in Camden, has divided his time between building furniture on commission and teaching at the Center for almost two decades. Since 2003 he has served as a lead instructor for the Center’s twelve-week-long Furniture Intensive course; has taught two-week workshops on casework, chair making, and curvature; and has been co-instructor for the chair making project within the Comprehensive for over a decade.

In addition, Rousseau is an author for Fine Woodworking and a presenter of how-to videos for finewoodworking.com. His project videos for TauntonWorkshops.com include “Making a Small Cabinet” and “Build an Asian-Inspired Hall Table.”

Rousseau said, in the release, that looking ahead, “My aim is to help students achieve their personal goals, whether they are professional-track or amateur. I look forward to building on the success of this curriculum with the help of the incredible team of co-teachers Aled has assembled. They are standout working professionals who bring deep expertise to every aspect of the program.”

Current Comprehensive co-teachers include, among others, Bruce Beeken, from Vermont, for curved work; Heidi Earnshaw, from Ontario, for product development; Owain Harris, from New Hampshire, for casework; Beth Ireland, from Florida, for turning; Jim Macdonald, from Maine, for marquetry; Mike Mascelli, from New York, for upholstery and finishing; and Valdemar Skov, from Maine, for carving.

Moving on to new opportunities in his career, departing lead instructor, Aled Lewis, said, “This has been an extraordinary experience. I will miss the day to day interaction with the students, watching them grow in competence and confidence and seeing the remarkable projects they turn out. The future Nine-month classes are safe in Tim’s very capable hands.”

The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship’s nine-month Comprehensive is designed for aspiring professional furniture makers and dedicated amateurs who seek in-depth training at the highest standard of excellence, according to the release.

More information is available at www.woodschool.org.