Lutherie has been running since 1999, a forum for the exchange of information and an opportunity for professional and student violin makers to meet.
Lutherie was founded by Rob Cain, who was at that time one of the tutors at Newark School of Violin Making. He presented an annual one-day conference with a range of speakers over the years from the UK, Europe and the USA including some of the best-known makers and associated professionals.
In 2022 he handed over to a new team who have continued the tradition, moving the conference to the lovely venue of the Georgian Ballroom of Newark Town Hall. In 2023 the conference celebrated 50 years of Newark School of Violin Making, and we produced a booklet detailing the history of the School.
Meet the Lutherie team
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Helen Michetschläger
Helen has been a violin maker for more than 40 years, since she started her training at Newark aged 18. Away from the bench she has been active with projects in the violin making world; chairing the RAB Trust which helps student violin makers, editing a book detailing the varnish expertise of Koen Padding, and organising varnish courses in Brittany taught by François Perego.
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Tim Southon
Tim is a retired scientist/university manager and has been a hobby violin maker and lute maker for about 18 years, attending classes in Cambridge and Norwich. More recently he has developed an interest in photogrammetry of instruments, using digital photographs to create 3D models of violins. He lives in Norwich with his wife Leslie and four cats.
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Nicole Terry
Nicky graduated from Newark in 2014 and has been teaching amateur violin making classes in Cambridge ever since, also working on repairs and set ups and occasionally even having the time to work on her own making in between time spent on the road as a touring musician.