Nathan Abbe VM '20 and Cooper Jonas VM '20 are set to graduate from the Violin Making & Repair program this summer, once they finish up their final projects. Though not an ideal setup, they've transformed their "former" living room into a benchroom, complete with varnishing station and makeshift desks. As part of our "In the Making" series of video interviews with members of our community, we learn how they're adapting to the new now, while maintaining their productivity and health along the way.

Nathan Abbe VM '20 and Cooper Jonas VM '20, third-year Violin Making & Repair students – and roommates – show us their home workshop in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Our Violin Making & Repair program had a very special guest in January: the Gregg violin, brought by The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. Our students enjoyed an up-close look at this 18th-century Scottish fiddle with intricate hand-painted designs, which was played by the poet Robert Burns and his dancing master, William Gregg.

Experts agree that violin making reached its highest potential in 17th-century Cremona, Italy, with makers such as Andrea Amati, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, and Antonio Stradivari. Although modern luthiers still use traditional methods to examine those Italian-made instruments — measuring, tracing, following patterns, looking at photographs, and using moulds — computed tomography (CT scans) allows a detailed look inside without having to take it apart.

NBC10 Boston TV featured the NBSS Violin Making & Repair program in a story on their Uniquely Boston program. Watch the full video story here, which included interviews with Department Head Roman Barnas, NBSS President Sarah Turner, current students, and violin instructor Sasha Callahan, who played instruments made by students.

The Boston Herald featured our Violin Making & Repair and Piano Technology programs in a March 2019 article, including video and photos of our students creating violins, restoring grand pianos, playing instruments they've worked on, and describing what drew them to a career where music and hand skills intersect.