Rodney is a graduate of the Kenneth Warren & Son School of Violin Making (now known as the Chicago School of Violin Making). After graduation Rodney worked for bowmaker John Norwood Lee in Chicago. He has been active in bow making for over 25 years and is a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers where he earned the degree of Master of Bow Making. He has produced more than 800 bows and has restored a countless number of fine bows.
As Co-Director of the VSA Oberlin Bow Restoration Workshop, Rodney has taught many students the fine art of repair and restoration. He has been a guest instructor at the North Bennett Street School in Boston and given demonstrations at the Chicago School of Violin Making.
Rodney has won 20 awards in international competitions. After winning his third gold medal with the Violin society of America, he is no longer eligible to compete and has earned the title of Hors’ Concours. He was awarded his Hors’ Concours Certificate at the 19th Violin Society Competition and Convention in Cleveland, OH on November 11, 2010. Rodney served as a bow workmanship judge for the VSA International Competition in Portland, Oregon in 2008. In 1999, he received third prize for a bass bow in the 2nd Concours International de Paris.
Rodney has recently served as President of the Violin Society of America during the 2012 competition and convention in Cleveland, Ohio and is past president of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.
Leave a Comment