A powerful sounding small viola with plenty of warmth and color by Minneapolis luthier Ute Zahn.

Ute Zahn grew up in Germany as part of a musical family, starting music lessons at age four and taking up the cello at age ten. In her teens, Zahn became intrigued with the violin-making process and proceeded to make her first violin at age eighteen.

In 1987, Zahn graduated from the Newark School of Violin Making in England and went to work as a violin maker and restorer for the Beverley Music Center in the UK and then for Sandra Wagstaff Violins in Hong Kong.  In 1992, she set up her own business as a violin maker and restorer in Hong Kong and in 1998, she helped set up the workshop of Vintage Violins in Vancouver, B.C.

Zahn took her violin-making expertise to Minneapolis, MN in 1999, working for Claire Givens Violins and then on to House of Note in St Louis Park, MN.  In early 2011, she joined the non-profit organization Luthiers sans Frontieres (www.lsfusa.org) and from 2012 through 2016, she taught violin making at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, MN.

​ ​Zahn also performs as a freelance cellist, subbing with the Mankato, Duluth and Superior Symphonies, serving on the advisory board for the violin repair program at Southeast Technical College in Red Wing, MN, and serving as board president for Luthiers sans Frontieres USA.

• Year Made – 2021 Minneapolis
• Labeled – Ute Zahn
• Length of Back – 15 7/16th (393mm) 
• Vibrating String Length – 13 3/4 (350mm)
• Condition – Excellent