Professional Violas from Minneapolis/St. Paul

The state of Minnesota has long been home to a vibrant and thriving community of luthiers—highly skilled artisans who dedicate their lives to crafting exceptional string instruments. While many may associate fine instrument making with European workshops or historic American violin-making centers like New York or Chicago, Minnesota—particularly the Twin Cities—has cultivated its own rich tradition of lutherie. From violins and cellos to violas, these instruments are sought after by musicians across the United States for their tonal quality, craftsmanship, and playability.

At Dolce Violins, we are privileged to represent the work of some of the finest contemporary luthiers from the Twin Cities. These master instrument makers combine traditional Italian viola making techniques with modern innovations to create instruments that inspire violists at the highest levels.

In this blog post, we want to shine a light on a few of these talented luthiers—artists who shape raw materials into exquisite instruments capable of expressing the full depth and warmth of the viola’s voice.