Raymond J Melanson – Violin Maker

While pursuing degrees in Art and Violin Performance at the University of Lowell, Raymond Melanson discovered his passion for lutherie. He enrolled at the University of Rhode Island to study bow repair and rehairing under Arnold Bone and violin repair under Hans Nebel. He continued his education at the Violin Making School of America, learning from Paul Prier and gaining practical experience in his atelier. To share his skills with the next generation of luthiers, Melanson founded the Violin Making and Repair program at Boston’s North Bennet Street School in 1983. He taught there for four years before opening his own workshop in Rochester.

Melanson’s instruments have been internationally recognized for their superior tone and craftsmanship. The Violin Society of America’s International Violin Making competitions have awarded him fourteen prizes, including the Gold Medal for tone in 2012. Melanson has built over three hundred high-quality stringed instruments, and his violins and cellos are favorites of professional soloists and members of the world’s best orchestras.