Ute Zahn 15.5" "da Salo" model viola, 2023, Minneapolis, MN, USA | Metzler Violins

"Born into a musical family in Germany, I trained at the Newark School of Violin Making in Newark-on-Trent, UK.  My work as a violin maker and restorer, freelance cellist, and violin making teacher has taken me to England, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States and several Caribbean countries. 

  Violin making is endlessly fascinating, be it design, history, acoustics, varnish, or woodwork.  As I believe that method determines outcome, I attempt to closely follow historical methods of making, using traditional tools.  In the pursuit of deepening my skills, I regularly attend the Oberlin Violin Makers’ workshop and Violin Society of America’s conventions, and many seminars hosted by the VSA as well as the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, of which I am a member. 

  Social engagement is important to me. This inspired me to start the US chapter of “Luthiers sans Frontières” (Luthiers Without Borders), a non-profit supporting cultural life in under-served communities.  We travel to teach local musicians the basics of instrument maintenance and repair, with the aid of donated instruments, tools and materials.

  For many years, I organized monthly (now annual) meetings of our many Minnesota violin and bow makers, and in 2019 co-hosted an exhibition of Minnesota makers’ work.

  I currently divide my time between making and restoring instruments, freelancing with several area ensembles, and serving as president of Luthiers sans Frontières.  When not embroiled in the wonderful world of music and instruments, I might be digging in my garden, on my yoga mat, with my nose in a book, baking something delicious, hiking, paddling or skating Minnesota waterways, or studying and building paper structures."