OKKYUM VIOLINS

I was born in South Korea. Since I was interested in music, I started playing the piano when I was a child. When I was in Sydney, Australia, I had an opportunity to meet with a violinmaker, Mr. Harry Vatillotis, in 1999. I visited his studio and saw his work and tools. This short visit made me devote myself to make a violin. During my musical journey, I met Marioscida, a professional violinmaker, in Melbourne, Australia, in 2001 and spent a year with him. Also, I worked with Il Hun Jung in Kwangju, South Korea. Later, I was able to study with Mr. Alessandro Voltini at the Stradivari International Violin Making School in Cremona, Italy. After graduating from this school, I worked in the Carlson & Neumann Workshop in Italy. I later moved to the USA to work in Huthmaker Violin in Atlanta, GA. As of 2011, I manage my own violinmaking, repair, and restoration studio. I am always pleased to talk with students and colleagues about music and violin-related topics. I live with my wife, Sue, and my daughter, Susan, in cerritos.CA. My family and I enjoy visiting and experiencing the many multicultural attractions of California.