Charles Arsenault violin, Quadra Island, BC, 2023 | Metzler Violins

This instrument is part of our 7th annual Contemporary American Makers Exhibition, 2024

Passionate about music and drawn to wood and hand work, Charles Arsenault began his career as a violin maker at the age of 17, first as an apprentice in the United States, then in a large workshop in Romania (1995-96). He went on to work in Québec before obtaining a position in Toronto where he developed his skills as a violin restorer, as well as his approach to set-ups and fine adjustments (1999-2009).

For the last 12 years he has specialized in restoration thanks to more formal training at courses/workshop in Banff, Alberta, in England, and in Switzerland. In 2010 he decided to return to his studies full time in order to deepen his knowledge in restoration with Jean-Jacques Fasnacht at the Swiss School of Violin Making in Brienz, Switzerland. It was during this period that he renewed his interest in making instruments. In 2011 he established himself in Montreal where he worked in private as well as for Wilder & Davis. In 2020 he relocated to the west coast, spending time at his workshop on Quadra Island as well as working at the newly established Wilder & Davis Vancouver location.

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