Violin Maker and Restorer

Through regular contact with musicians, Tibor draws inspiration to create individual instruments. Each personality requires a special companion; the challenge to find this harmony is his main motivation. Tibor's instruments received medals and distinctions at international competitions ( Salt Lake City VSA competition 1998; Cremona Triennial 2000;)

Members of orchestras including Age of Enlightenment, National Youth, Philharmonia, Covent Garden Opera, Halle and Budapest Festival, enjoy playing on his instruments, as do many members of chamber music ensembles.

Email: tibors@btinternet.com

After living in London, Melbourne, Berlin, I am now based in a little vine growing village at the foot of the black forest, Germany, where I make mainly cellos and double basses. Players using my instruments include Berlin Philharmonic, LSO, Oslo Phil, English Chamber Orchestra and many others.

first prize at makers competition in Lucca, 2018

first price at makers competition in Namur, Belgium 2023

Email: stefan@krattenmacher.com

Website: krattenmacher.com

Since our company was founded in 1798 in Offenbach am Main, Germany, PIRASTRO has become one of the world’s most famous manufacturers of fine handcrafted strings, rosin and accessories.

As a family business in its 6th generation, PIRASTRO feels committed to tradition and dedicated to craftsmanship and quality as well as to innovation.

Our drive for innovation is not restricted to discovering new materials or the improvement of techniques for musical string production. It also led to the development of the PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® shoulder rests and their market introduction, now 10 years ago.

Instagram: @pirastroofficial

Website: pirastro.com

Andreas Pahler is a Mittenwald trained violin maker. He studied forestry at TUM in Munich before opening his tonewood sawmill in the old farmers house of his parents amongst 3 cats, a dog and 10 chicken. Several years later he and his team moved to the 1000m² warehouse in Altomünster 40 minutes from Munich airport.

Email: info@alpentonholz.de

www.alpentonholz.de

Stephen changed career from engineering, via a circuitous route, to making and restoring bows for the violin family.

Feel free to come and chat with him about any issues you may have regarding your bow, or if you are looking for a new one. Or contact him via the attached details to make an appointment.

Instagram: @the_bowbusiness

Website: www.thebowbusiness.com

With over 30 years experience as a professional musician along with a keen interest in woodwork, Steve saw instrument making as a natural progression to his career. Steve trained at Newark School of Violin Making, graduating with BA hons first class.

From his workshop in Essex, Steve makes fine handcrafted Violins, Violas and Cellos taking inspiration from great master instruments and adding his own style. He also offers repairs, set-up adjustments and bow rehairs.

Website: fletcherviolins.co.uk

Facebook: fletcherviolins

Instagram: @fletcher_violins

This table has our volunteers helping for the day:

1 Paul Fremantle is a student at West Dean College, making viols and baroque violins.

instagram: @paulfremantleluthier

For more than 25 years, Lark Music has been a leading musical instrument insurance specialist, offering musicians a choice of either a bespoke and personal service, or quick and easy online quotes, depending on your needs. We understand the diversity of the musical sector, so we cater for all musical instruments across every type of genre, whether you play professionally or as a hobby, and whether you play locally, nationally or internationally. Our specialist team can tailor our service to you, and because we share your passion for music, we always respond rapidly in the event of a claim.

Instagram: larkmusic_mi

Website: larkmusic.com

Born 1977 and raised in Ontario Canada, Michael Kurucz while studying piano, developed a keen interest for the violin in his early teens. After finishing trade school as a Moldmaker, Michael began making his first violin as a hobby. This instrument opened up a whole new world of collaborations with fine violinmakers in the greater Toronto area and triggered a tireless journey of violinmaking study, experimenting and making. In 2001 Michael relocated to a small Kibbutz in northern Israel where he continues to create fine instruments in the Italian tradition.

Email: mikesfiddle@gmail.com

I have been making bows with various colleagues, this last year with the talented Lee Guthrie, working on a very successful English cello model that has been very popular. I have also been making renaissance and classical bows, the former in woods with perhaps more sustainable attributes;. The Larch bow from a 1600 model has also proved very popular... Classical bows are a current mainstay of production too. We have a workshop in Newbury (70 km form London).

Instagram: @georfrederichaendel

www.philipbrownviolins.co.uk

IJmkje is a violin maker and restorer working in Cambridgeshire. She has nearly fifteen years professional experience of which seven specialising in cellos.

In her workshop at home she makes new instruments, mostly violins, and carries out restorations. IJmkje enjoys looking for the character of an instrument and searching for its optimal sound, in collaboration with the player of course.

She also works part time in the workshop of the Royal Academy of Music in London, and regularly at Philip Brown Violins in Newbury.

IJmkje graduated from the Newark School of Violin Making in 2008.

Email: ijmkjevanderwerf@hotmail.com

www.vanderwerfviolins.com

The Sound Post Ltd is the UK and Ireland's leading specialist bowed stringed instrument distributor. The company is the exclusive distributor for Larsen Strings, Bam Cases, Chevalets Despiau Bridges, Oldwood Varnishes. Major brands also include, Pirastro, Jargar, D'Addario, Corelli, Wittner, Kun rests, Goetz Accessories and a host of other brands. The Sound Post supports the BVMA and its members and sponsors some of the CPD courses.

Instagram: @thesoundpostuk

Website: www.thesoundpost.co.uk

The Dilworth Dictionary is an essential reference book for people working with or interested in stringed musical instruments. This book combines accurate biographical information and Dilworth's observations about historic makers. An extensive image reference resource is to be found at the back and with a limited print run of 1000, each book is uniquely numbered and is the perfect workbench companion.

Following on from the success of the Dilworth Dictionary, John and the Amati team paired up again to create The Monograph Collection, a series of exceptional books featuring three Stradivari instruments:

'La Pucelle' violin, 1709

'Archinto' cello, 1689

'Tyrrell violin, 1717

Instagram: @amati_auctions

Website: amati.com

Specialists in insurance for Fine Art, Collectibles and Musical Instruments- Dealers and Makers Collectors and Musicians and Orchestras.

Broker at LLOYD’S

Website: www.hwinternational.com

email: clairesanders@hwint.com

Restauro e costruisco strumenti del quartetto nel centro storico di palermo. Sono un liutaio di Palermo, suono il violoncello e mi occupo particolarmente del settaggio dei violini e violoncelli.

I am a violin maker and restorer in Palermo who works on violins, violas and cellos. I am a cellist and I specialize in set ups on violins and cellos.

Instagram: @fabionicotraviolin

A self-taught violinist graduating from the Newark School of Violin Making in 1991, Gerard honed his skills in bustling violin shops in the southwest of the UK before becoming a restoration outworker to the trade. He specialised in restoring early English and Italian violins, he crafts 3-4 violins annually, cherished by musicians worldwide and available in select violin shops in the southwest U.K.

Inspired by years of restoring fine instruments, Gerard's creations embody the essence of light varnish, meticulous workmanship, and the intrinsic beauty of wood.

Website: gerardkilbride.com

From the making of his first violin Simon soon moved on to attend and graduate from the N.S.V.M. where his passion and live for making was fed and fuelled.

Now set up as an independent maker his workshop is situated in the Township of Narberth, in wild West Wales. The influence of the Pembrokeshire environment informs Simon's making of Classic Italian instruments.

Instagram: @simonsviolins

Website: simonsviolins.co.uk

The Rowan Armour-Brown Memorial Trust Fund offers support to students of violinmaking in the UK.

This includes financial grants for the purchase of materials and tools, or for specialised additional training; distribution of donated wood and tools; and work experience placements.

Website: rabtrust.org

Kai-Thomas Roth trained at the Newark School of Violin Making and has exclusively been making bowed stringed instruments of modern and all historical period specifications since 1986. He is a founder member of the BVMA. With well over 110 cellos made to date, as well as violins, violas, viole d'amore and double basses, as well as a few viols being played all over the world he has established a reputation that insures his instruments are in high demand

Instagram: @kaithomasrothcellos

Website: www.kai-thomas-roth-cellos.co.uk

Winners of highly renowned international competitions, we devote ourselves to the highest aesthetical and tonal results when creating our instruments.

Understanding musicians’ needs is our main goal and we constantly strive for perfection to help professionals finding their ideal companion.

Instagram: @gibertoni_nalin

website: gibertoninalin.com

Trained in the French tradition, the bows Chris makes are inspired by makers of the transitional and early modern periods and combine traditional woods with more unusual decorative materials: Whitby Jet, Lapis Lazuli, Black Oyster.

Working with musicians he has created bespoke bows tailored to their specific requirements.

Besides modern bows Chris makes period bows, copied and adapted from surviving examples. He also does sympathetic restorations of old bows, repairs and re-hairs.

email: halsteadcj@yahoo.co.uk

Established in London since 2002, Andreas has gained a reputation for making excellent sounding instruments as well as for sound adjustments and set ups.

He has made instruments for the renowned cellist Raphael Wallfisch, chamber musicians Nicholas Miller, Roger Coull, Marina Solarek, Jane Gordon, orchestra leaders and soloists David Fruehwirth, Julia Schroeder, Lea Birringer, Triin Ruubel and the Salzburg Mozarteum's leading violin teacher Igor Ozim, who have performed, broadcast and recorded extensively on their Hudelmayer violins

Website: hudelmayer.com

Jan Bartos was born in Poland. Having graduated in violin making from the Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan he spend ten years in Cremona as the head of the violin making workshop of Eric Blot, where he developed a deep-rooted understanding of the construction and restoration of stringed instruments.

In 2007, he opened his workshop in the Marais district in the heart of Paris at 60 rue du Vertbois, where he continues to make his instruments and carries out his research on acoustics and varnish fabrication and application. He is currently preparing his doctoral dissertation.

Website: janbartos.eu

Piotr Kulcenty, a Polish violin maker and restorer based in London, began his craft at 14 in Poznań under the Krupa family. With a master's degree in Violin Making from the Academy of Music in Poznań, Piotr refined his skills through international training in Italy and Switzerland from 2012. Currently head of the workshop at Stringers in London, he dedicates his private studio to restoration and crafting new violins. His experience in setup and restoration enhances the craftsmanship of his creations, reflecting a deep understanding of instruments' acoustic properties and musicians' needs.

instagram: @qulcenty_violins

Website: www.piotrkulcenty.com

Florian will be exhibiting the very last bow of his career.

He will then dedicate his time to fine restoration and teaching.

Instagram: @florianbaillybows

Both John and Carlos are, along with Antoine Gourdon, founding members of The Workshop Newark. The three makers work closely together from their studio in the East Midlands to constantly explore and develop new components of the craft they are so immersed in.

As well as being full time makers, both are also tutors at the renowned Newark school of Violin making.

As a team and as individuals, their work is owned by professional musicians all over the world

Email: theworkshopnewark@gmail.com

Both John and Carlos are, along with Antoine Gourdon, founding members of The Workshop Newark. The three makers work closely together from their studio in the East Midlands to constantly explore and develop new components of the craft they are so immersed in.

As well as being full time makers, both are also tutors at the renowned Newark school of Violin making.

As a team and as individuals, their work is owned by professional musicians all over the world

Email: theworkshopnewark@gmail.com

Lorraine graduated from the Newark School of Violin Making in 2010. Since then, she has been perfecting her skills as a restorer, working for major workshops on the finest instruments. She now has her own workshop in Acton, London, specialising in large scale restorations but also undertaking smaller repairs, maintenance work and tonal adjustments.

Alongside restoration, Lorraine also continued to make instruments, mostly cellos which she has always felt drawn to, but also the occasional violins or violas...

Website: www.bitaudviolins.com

Antoine co-founds The Workshop - Newark - in 2022 with luthiers John-Francis Wright and Carlos Libreros Rios.

Internationally rewarded (Paris. Viola's 2016), Antoine is specialized in the making of fine violas, violins and cellos.

In 2023, he co-founds with his friend and colleague Paul Gosling the Collaborative Instrument Making Exchange project. Working closely with violist, researcher, educator and philanthropist Dr. Louise Lansdown, they are preparing a project in South-Africa for the end of the year 2024.

Antoine taught at the International Violin Making School of Newark for 13 years

Website: www.antoinegourdon.com

I studied at The Newark school of violin making. My work as a maker has taken me to Canada, Finland and Germany, where I’ve worked on and handled many instruments by Italian, French and British masters.

As well as making new violins, I also make copies of 17th century Italian instruments to commission. It’s certainly a challenge to copy an old masterpiece and re-create every little mark and wear pattern!

My instruments can be found in the hands of musicians, freelancers all round the world and in major orchestras all over the UK including RSNO, Scottish Ballet and Liverpool Philharmonic.

Instagram: @ColinCharlesAdamson

Email: Mail@adamson-violins.com

www.adamson-violins.com

Mark is a graduate of the Newark School and has been making instruments for over 30 years. His work follows the classical traditions of the 17th and 18th Century Cremonese makers… Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri.

Mark’s workshop is situated on the beautiful Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Several times a year he takes a satellite workshop in London, Manchester and Cardiff to see and work with clients. Instruments can be taken on approval directly from him or alternatively from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins and My Luthier, both in London.

Instagram: @jenningsviolins

Email: jenningsviolins@yahoo.com

Website: www.jenningsviolins.com

I make violins, violas, and cellos from a very large stock of the finest wood , collected over many years. My customers include Professionals, Students and Amateurs alike. I have numerous recommendations, from William Primrose, to the present day.

Please come and try an instrument at Table 38 on Makers Day 2024, or contact me for any further information or trial .

Website: wardviolins.com

D’Addario is the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings and accessories.

A family-owned and operated business with roots dating back to the 17th century, we make bowed strings for all levels of players and playing styles.

Instagram: @daddarioorchestral

Website: daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Luthier Atilla Okan has 25 years experience in violin making and restoration. He participated in several workshops and exhibitions.

In 2014, at Julie Reed Yeboah Restoration and Consultation Workshop, New York, he studied traditional Italian violin making and restoration techniques. He is a lecturer at Ege University STMC, Department of Instrument Making.

Instagram: @okanviolins

Website: www.okanviolins.com

László Nemessányi got his master degree in 1983 in Budapest, where he lives and works to this day.He builds his violins on Stradivari's and Guarneri's models, his double basses on his own models, and his cellos after Montagnana's Sleeping Beauty model.He has joined BVMA in 2014, then participated in the West Dean College's Violin and Bow restoration master courses 3 times. After learning from several masters during these courses, he started to do more serious restorations, the influence of which is visible on his new instruments as well.

His son, Bálint is currently studying in Klingenthal.

Website: nemessanyi.com

Ágoston L. Márton came to violin making later in his life after spending twenty years in a restoration workshop, working on several long projects restoring carved wood furniture, wooden statues and altar pieces from medieval churches. He started making violins after working in a variety of violin making workshops and the knowledge gained there has been augmented by practical violin making courses at Halsway Manor in Somerset, UK. At present he makes violins, violas and cellos after Stradivarius models. Instrument repairs are also undertaken.

Website: agoston-violins.com

Specialising in personalised commissions to meet your ideals for sound and playability, during a career spanning over 40 years I've made more than 340 instruments. These are loved by musicians as far afield as the USA and Hong Kong, from the children who benefit from my small-sized violins and violas to front desk orchestral players. In 2023 I was invited to participate at the Klanggestalten exhibition in Berlin.

Alongside my work at the bench, I have been active writing about violin making, speaking at conferences, organising events and supporting the next generation of violin makers.

Instagram: @helenmichetschlager

Website: helenviolinmaker.com

As a well-established maker, William Castle’s many instruments are recognized amongst musicians for their ease of playing, reliability and character of tone. Having trained at Newark, he worked for Geigenbau Machold, then one of the top workshops in Europe before setting up on his own in York. Now living in Shropshire, he makes his living from making new instruments, still enthusiastic about fulfilling the needs of musicians and about the making process, most recently gaining recognition for his research and experimentation with authentic tools and methods of construction. He is known as being one of the few violin makers who make small violas, as well as violins, some medium-sized violas and cellos.

Website: williamcastle.co.uk

I started training at the Maestri Liutai school in Gubbio, moved to England and completed the 3 year course at the Newark School of Violin Making. From 2007- 2010 I worked as a maker at the Roger Hansell workshop, in North Yorkshire.

In 2010 I moved back to Italy, where I set up my workshop in Perugia. I won Best Sound in 2013 at the ANLAI violin making competition with a violin, and in 2015 a viola received the Edrev Prize.

In the past few years I’ve taken courses with Francois Perego on varnish, Sound Adjustment with the BVMA and taken part at the workshop in Brandenburg as well 3 weeks in Montreal at the Collectif Lutherie Montreal.

Instagram: @protaniviolins

Website: www.protaniviolins.com

I am a new maker based in Central London. My work is distinguished by a unique method of arching, as described in The Strad 2023, designed to create a more authentic structural shape.

Instagram: @ballardviolins

Website: violinslondon.co.uk