Violin Making Shop at UNM

05/06/2026

We've had a very busy end-of-the semester! Last week we hosted four tours of the workshop: a group of high school orchestra students, a class from the Honors College, the Physics of Music Class, and some young string players from the UNM Lab School. The latter thoroughly enjoyed poking the cold, gelatinous hide glue, using finger planes and comparing the size and quality of their shavings, using the marking caliper, contour gauge, and thickness punch, drawing curtate cycloid curves, and using the coping saw to cut out f-holes. They liked seeing an unusual balsa wood violin and a hardanger fiddle, and hearing what a violin sounds like without a soundpost.

One of our students had her junior recital this past weekend and did an absolutely fantastic job!

And yesterday we enjoyed each other's camaraderie during our class recital/potluck/show-and-tell.

It's been a wonderful semester and are sad to see it end, but are excited to return in Fall.

04/08/2026

The second Saturday of the month is coming up already! Come jam with us in the violin making shop.

03/08/2026

Jam Session this Saturday!

12/02/2025

Our instructor and class were featured in the November issue of Albuquerque the Magazine! You can check out the article at this link, pages 172-4.

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11/21/2025

During our last class we had a recital/potluck where anyone who wished could play for everyone. We were joined by my friend and local violin maker Anne Cole, who played and showed everyone her vertical viola. Students were encouraged to bring some other project or work of art they made. The hardanger fiddle player is wearing a prize-winning sweater inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night. Another student, an art major, brought in some amazingly creative books she had made which we all enjoyed oohing and aahing over. It was great fun to experience the collective creative talent of the coolest class in the world!

10/21/2025

https://www.krqe.com/news/education/unm-students-learn-to-handcraft-violins-using-centuries-old-techniques/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Over at the University of New Mexico (UNM), a select number of students each semester have the opportunity to learn how to handcraft a violin using tools and methods. The…

09/08/2025

One of our recent alumna, Helen, spent over three years making a violin to gift to her teacher. We are so proud of Helen and her boundless generosity. Read more here:

https://www.bosqueschool.org/about/news/bobcat-stories/~board/alumni-news/post/the-gift-of-music?fbclid=IwY2xjawMrIc9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnrWmatq1YPyF6iakmP6N8Q9dkW17ih5bxo6rx7EQT5-NATZI0EjteOvRu5R_aem__t-UySHXtlVHi7EaUgLQag

Bobcat Stories - Located In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bosque School is a Private College Preparatory School For Grades 6-12.

04/24/2025

Four violins were born this past week! They represent a multi-year journey for their makers, a journey of incredible dedication. All will featured in our upcoming student showcase concert on May 7th! If you can't join us in person, we'd love for you to join on our live stream:
https://youtube.com/live/OdxMavrNBaE?feature=share