John Simmers has had a passion and a talent for crafting wooden objects from a very early age. Following four years studying viola and double bass at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, in 1990 John was offered the opportunity to combine his two interests by violin maker, Lance Scott. His career developed from there to become one of Australia’s most prominent and active violin makers.
Graduated from England’s Newark School of Violin Making with Distinction in 1996.
Violin commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music - London, 1996
Worked for Frank Passa in San Francisco - 1996 and 1997.
Professional development placements with Morris and Smith and J & A Beare in London.
Attended restoration workshop run by the British Violin Makers Association and regular participant in the
Violin Society of America’s Oberlin workshop.
Has made a study of varnishing and has worked with varnish makers, Geary Baese and Joe Robeson.
Founding member and current treasurer of the Australian Violin Makers Association. Member of the AVMA,
BVMA and VSA.
John is an active violin maker, restorer and professional musician. He is proud of the tradition of his crafts and he takes his position in the arts community very seriously. John works hard to maintain and improve his standards, constantly continuing his training and developing his skills.
As a string player, he knows that we need good instruments to play on and good, well trained craftsmen to maintain them. We are lucky to live in an era where there are great modern concert instruments being produced and where violin makers around the world gather to share information and ideas like never before, with the common goal of creating the finest instruments ever made. The craft of violin making is very alive!
Graduated from England’s Newark School of Violin Making with Distinction in 1996.
Violin commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music - London, 1996
Worked for Frank Passa in San Francisco - 1996 and 1997.
Professional development placements with Morris and Smith and J & A Beare in London.
Attended restoration workshop run by the British Violin Makers Association and regular participant in the
Violin Society of America’s Oberlin workshop.
Has made a study of varnishing and has worked with varnish makers, Geary Baese and Joe Robeson.
Founding member and current treasurer of the Australian Violin Makers Association. Member of the AVMA,
BVMA and VSA.
John is an active violin maker, restorer and professional musician. He is proud of the tradition of his crafts and he takes his position in the arts community very seriously. John works hard to maintain and improve his standards, constantly continuing his training and developing his skills.
As a string player, he knows that we need good instruments to play on and good, well trained craftsmen to maintain them. We are lucky to live in an era where there are great modern concert instruments being produced and where violin makers around the world gather to share information and ideas like never before, with the common goal of creating the finest instruments ever made. The craft of violin making is very alive!
Violin Society of America