0161 972 0839 helen@helenviolinmaker.com

Helen Violin Maker

modern violin maker

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Talks and articles

Sharing information with players and other makers is an important part of my work. I’ve been invited to give talks at conferences, and written articles for specialised publications. In 2015 I published a book of the writings of the late Koen Padding, whose expertise about violin varnish was recognised worldwide. For details of the book, visit the Violin Varnish book page of this site.

 

Newark School of Violin Making under threat

27th September 2025

In the Spring of 2025, the unwelcome news broke that the courses at Newark School of Violin Making would close to new students as of September 2025. I was asked by The Strad magazine to write a piece about the school. The latest news is that as of September 2025 the current three year degree course has been replaced by unfunded one year courses. Watch this space…

Read here: End of an era?

Conscious that the future of the school might well be in doubt, I edited and produced a booklet detailing the history of the school, Newark School of Violin Making, The first 50 year 1972-2022. It’s available to purchase.

Working weekend for Olympias Music Foundation

27th September 2025

In March 2025 I organised a working weekend on behalf of Olympias Music Foundation, to repair and renovate their collection of violin family instruments, which are loaned to the children who benefit from their free music lessons.

Read here: Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Guadagnini cello ribs

1st March 2016

A feature of a number of classical cellos is that the fronts are wider than the backs, and the ribs flare outwards. The article examines this and suggests a way of achieving this when making a new instrument. Published in Issue 83 of the BVMA newsletter, spring 2016

Guadagnini cello ribs

From the stable to the workshop

20th September 2015

From the stable to the workshop: investigating the use of saltpetre in violin primers. Talk given at the 20th anniversary conference of the British Violin Making Association, September 2015

Read here: Saltpetre-BVMA_10.10

Glasgow Gasparo cello project 2011

11th September 2011

Article written for the Autumn 2011 issue of the Newsletter of the British Violin Making Association describing a project to make cello modelled after Gasparo da Salo with a team of colleagues.

Read here: Glasgow Gasparo Cello Project 2011

A tale of two scrolls

10th October 2010

Article written for the Autumn 2010 issue of the Newsletter of the British Violin Making Association with my colleague William Castle, describing a day working together on different models of scroll.

Read here: A Tale of Two Scrolls

Brescian-type purfling: part 2

1st August 2010

Part 2:

Decorative patterns on the back. Article reproduced by permission from the Strad Magazine, August 2010

TradeSecretsAug2010

Brescian-type purfling: part 1

10th June 2010

Part 1:

Purfling the edges. Article reproduced by permission from the Strad Magazine, June 2010

StradArticle_ 1604-2010-7-27

 

Steam-bending fronts: a practical demonstration

9th September 2008

Transcript of lecture/demonstration given to the conference of the British Violin Making Association at Dartington, Devon in September 2008. It gives a detailed description of the theory and practice of steam-bending the spruce to make fronts for instruments.

Dartington talk transcript with pics

Trade secrets: Making the ribs for a cornerless viola

8th October 2007

Article reproduced by permission from The Strad Magazine, October 2007

Trade Secrets Oct 07 high-res

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Contact Helen

1A Grasmere Road
Sale
Manchester
M33 3QU
UK

helen@helenviolinmaker.com
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0161 972 0839
0044 161 972 0839

Latest from Helen

Newark School of Violin Making under threat

In the Spring of 2025, the unwelcome news broke that the courses at Newark School of Violin Making … Read More...

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