2026 Repair Workshop
A Practical Workshop in String
Instrument Repair for Orchestra Teachers
Hosted by:
The Violin Guild
of America
The Repair Workshop
is a four-day, hands-on intensive designed to give teachers practical experience working on the instruments they care for every day.
Learn essential repair and setup skills while working directly on violins, violas, cellos, basses, and bows in a professional violin shop environment.
Participants are encouraged to bring instruments or bows from their school programs that need repair.
Throughout the week, you’ll have the opportunity to:
• Repair open seams
• Adjust bridges and pegs
• Set soundposts
• Rehair bows
• Improve instrument setup
Tuition: $385
Schedule (10am-3pm each day)
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Learn how to diagnose and repair the most common issues that sideline school instruments, including open seams, minor cracks, and loose components. Participants will practice safe gluing techniques and complete real repairs on violins and violas.
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Understand how instrument setup affects tone and playability, and learn to make meaningful adjustments. Participants will install strings, set soundposts on violin, viola, cello, and bass, and explore how setup changes impact sound.
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Learn how bridges and pegs influence tuning stability and response. Participants will fit bridge feet, shape bridges, and improve peg function to create instruments that tune easily and play more consistently.
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Gain practical experience maintaining and repairing bows used in school programs. Participants will disassemble bows, prepare hair, complete a rehair, and address common bow issues that affect performance.
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Friday is optional. Come to the shop during the day with your own instruments and use your new skills under the luthier’s guidance.
In the evening, there will be a workshop social with snacks and drinks. Participants are encouraged to bring colleagues to show off their work!