Sam Zygmuntowicz is an artist's artist. With large hands bearing the scars of his craft, he hews exquisite violins, violas and cellos. In 2003, a violin built by Sam Zygmuntowicz for Isaac Stern sold ...

We’ve always said that if we had enough money, we’d have a large room that housed every musical instrument we’ve ever been even mildly interested in. While that dream may never come to pass, it would ...

Chicagoans is a first-person account from off the beaten track, as told to Anne Ford. This week’s Chicagoan is Ryan McLaughlin, luthier. “Some people who get into violin making are accomplished ...

In the latest installment of Working Shift, we talk to Paul Becker, a Chicago-based violin maker who started crafting string instruments at age 14. He now manages the family business, Carl Becker & ...

The violin as we know it today dates back to 16th-century northern Italy. The region spawned dynasties of violin makers, whose names are still synonymous with quality: Giuseppe Guarnari, Antonio ...

Education: Bachelor of music in violin, Eastman School of Music; Master of music, with distinction, Yale University; Violin Craftsmanship Institute, University of New Hampshire; private study in ...

ST PAUL, Minn. — Will Bartruff began work on his first violin at the age of 10. Half-a-century later he did one better. The master luthier took on a 9-year-old protégé. “Hey kiddo,” Will says as Ben ...

Mathew M. Symons was interested in violins from a young age, but growing up in Henry County with Quaker parents it wasn't always easy to explore his passion. The first instrument he created – out of a ...

A violin’s soul? Living instruments? Talking wood? There was nothing ordinary about this 60 Minutes trip to the birthplace of the violin A visit to the birthplace of the violin -- a small town in ...

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Spring is here and a walk through the woods can be invigorating. Last year’s leaves rustle underfoot while new buds emerge from the many tree species ...

The world’s best violins come with strings made from catgut—which isn’t typically from cats, but does definitely come from the inside of an animal. If you want a more vegetarian alternative, though, ...