The three-year, comprehensive Violin Making & Repair program at NBSS is one of the few full-time instrument making programs in the U.S. The curriculum provides a solid foundation to the art and science of stringed instrument making, and an introduction to restoration.
Violin Making & Repair is learned through hands-on work. The program follows the highest standards of the craft and teaches repair, restoration, and set-up of stringed instruments. Over the course of this three-year program, you’ll build six violins and a viola. Students, alumni, and faculty regularly receive international recognition for the craftsmanship and tonality of their instruments.
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.
The 2018 graduates of Violin Making & Repair (VM) were in fine form for their End of Program Exam, where their work was favorably evaluated by an esteemed panel of examiners. The examiners included Chris Reuning, a maker and internationally renowned expert in violin identification; Ben Ruth, recipient of the Hors Concours from the Violin Society of America; award-winning makers and VM guest lecturers Kevin Kelly VM '92, David Polstein VM '89, and Andrew Ryan; and special guest Samuel Zygmuntowicz, who is "among the most acclaimed makers in the world today."
Do you dream of making musical instruments for a living? Strings Magazine offers advice for those considering violin making school from two established luthiers, including Julia Felix, who attended our Violin Making & Repair program.
"Attention to detail and a hard work ethic were the greatest benefits of my NBSS education. The group dynamic in the violin workshop inspired me to work harder and dream larger than I had ever thought possible."
Colin Skofield VM '05
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