Hans & Nancy Benning viola, 16.75", 1978 Los Angeles | Metzler Violins

About the Makers

Hans Benning was born in Aachen, Germany. He entered the Violinmaking School in Mittenwald, Germany, in 1962, the same year as his soon-to-be wife, Nancy Benning. Arriving in the United States in 1964, he worked in the Studio City Music Shop with his new father-in-law, Paul Toenniges. There Hans Benning learned the fine art of repair and restoration under Paul Toenniges, Raymond Del Prato, and Frank Kovanda. Hans also studied for a time with Carl Becker, Sr.

In 1978 Hans and Nancy Benning took over the Studio City Music store along with Nancy’s sister, Jane Fink, and they began specializing in only violins, violas, cellos and viola da gambas. Benning Violins was born out of that transition from a more general music store to the specialized violin shop that exists today.

Hans has made many fine violins, violas and cellos, which are enjoyed by both professionals and amateurs alike. He has also made a number of viola da gambas which are still being played today by those who are involved in baroque and renaissance music.

Hans was secretary of the International Violinmakers Association (EILA), of which he is now a senior member. He is also a member of the German Violinmakers Association (VDG), the American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers (AFVBM), and the Violin Society of America (VSA).

Hans was privileged to be able to care for and service the violins and bows for Jascha Heifitz.

Today he specializes in fine repairs, bow rehairs, and appraisals.

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Nancy Benning was born in Chicago, IL. Her father, Paul Toenniges, brother-in-law to renowned Chicago violinmaker Carl Becker Sr., brought the family to Los Angeles in the early 1940s and started working with the Wurlitzer firm, after which he worked for several years in a workshop above his garage, and then in 1953 Paul and his wife, Ruth, opened up their own music store called Studio City Music. Nancy began working there in the workshop with her father at age 11, learning the art of fine restoration and repair. At the age of 22 she entered the Violinmaking School in Mittenwald, Germany and there met her husband, Hans Benning. They returned to the United States in 1964 and began working together at Studio City Music with Nancy’s parents.

In 1978, Nancy and Hans Benning took over the business along with Nancy’s sister, Jane Fink, and the transition from a general music store to a shop that specializes in fine violins, violas, cellos and gambas, was born. Benning Violins is the evolution of the business into the prestigious and renown firm that it is today.

Today Nancy is involved mostly with the business end of the shop, but she still maintains a workshop at her home where she is involved in the making of son Eric Benning’s master crafted instruments.

She enjoys playing the violin and especially enjoys playing chamber music with friends.

For the past 19 years, she has been traveling to Mexico where she teaches once a month in an orphanage and now teaches bi-monthly at Benning Academia in Ensenada, Mexico, a music school named after – and in honor of – Nancy and Hans.

Nancy considers it a great privilege and blessing to be working for 66 years with a wonderful family and fantastic clientele, some of whom are second and third generation customers and friends.