She grew up in a family of musicians, played the cello since childhood, is professionally trained and has more than twenty years experience: this explains both the demand and the appreciation for Katharina Meierott’s violin making skills.
From Apprentice to Master
Katharina trained in Germany under the traditional guild system, in which students evolve from apprentice to journeyman, with the title of master being awarded to those who pass the challenging master’s diploma ‘Meisterprüfung’. She started as an apprentice in the workshop of violin maker Goldfuss, in Regensburg. She attended the violin making school in Mittenwald to acquire further theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Following her ‘Gesellenprüfung’ she worked as journeyman for a number of international workshops. In 1998 she achieved the title of master in the building, repair and restoration of violins, violas and celli. She has been a member of the German Association of Violin and Bow Makers since 2005. In addition, she has attended the highly regarded restoration course at the British Violin Making Association (BVMA) in West Dean a number of times – a venue at which violin makers from all over the world come together to share knowledge and ideas.
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