Christopher Germain began his career in violinmaking in 1982, as a pupil of Tschu Ho Lee at the Chicago School of Violinmaking. After graduating in 1985, he worked for the Chicago firms, Kenneth Warren and Son and Bein and Fushi, Inc., where he focused on developing his skills in restoration work. In 1991, he opened his own business, in Chicago’s Loop, dividing his time between violinmaking and restorations. In 1995, he was asked by Vahakn Nigogosian to serve as an instructor at the Stringed Instrument Restoration Workshop at Oberlin College. He eventually succeeded Nigo as the director of that program, which now concentrates on new instrument making.
Chris makes award-winning violins, violas, and cellos from his studio in Philadelphia’s Center City, near the Kimmel Center and the Curtis Institute of Music. He continues his study of classic Italian stringed instruments, lecturing and teaching about violinmaking and repair techniques at venues around the world. Chris is a proud member of The Violin Society of America and the American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers, Inc., and serves on the governing boards of both organizations.
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