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Kennedy Violins is owned and operated by Joel Kennedy.
Tom started making instruments in 1992 when his son (a violist
attending the Eastman School of Music) needed a new viola for
school. At the time Joel was playing on an excellent quality
German production instrument but it wasn't the quality that
Joel's viola teacher thought was necessary. Since Tom
and Joel couldn't afford the 8 to 15 thousand dollars usually
commanded for a quality professional instrument, Tom decided
to build one. Tom had an extensive background in fine
woodworking so he found the prospect of melding skill with art
an enticing challenge. He studied as many papers and books
he could acquire and built his first viola. Although the
instrument didn't reflect his current skill, it was a dramatic
improvement on the instrument Joel was using. Since then,
Tom has consulted master violin makers across the United States,
attended several symposiums and conferences and has become a
member of many string organizations such as the Cat Gut Society
and the Southern California Violin Makers Association.
His instruments have been in many professional orchestras such
as the Vancouver Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Erie Phillharmonic,
Batavia Symphony and the New Mexico Symphony. |
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