David Polstein Atelier 15 3/4" viola, Guadagnini model, 2024 | Metzler Violins

From the maker:

I began my training with the violin maker, Jonathan Cooper, in Portland, Maine. I worked there for several years doing repair work, and then moved to Boston to attend the violin making program at the North Bennet Street School. 

Upon graduating from violin making school, I worked for 6 years with the violin maker, Arthur Toman, in Newton, Massachusetts. Most of that time was devoted to repair and restoration work, but I was able to make a few instruments a year, including several cellos made jointly with Art.

Since then, I have focused on making instruments in my own studio in Newton. My instruments have been well received by musicians and have won a number of awards in the Violin Society of America’s International Competitions, including silver medals for tone in the 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2012 competitions and most recently; a certificate for viola tone in the 2018 competition.  I am a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, and served for 3 terms as the Secretary of its Board of Governors. Currently, I am serving as an advisor to the violin program at the North Bennet Street School.