Violin Guild of America, Members and Alumni

Current Students

Ben Milne

Student at Central high school and is a hockey player for his school. He plays violin and was featured in an expose by channel 11 NBC in 2020 as a beginning violin student at age 10. He was one of the recipients of the Upper Midwest regional Emmy for his story, Boyd Huppert Producer.

Alex Grindheim

He has completed a violin and a viola as is beginning his third instrument. He was also featured in the KARE 11 story.

Nathan Grindheim

Is Alex Grindheim’s father and has completed two violins and is completeing his third.

Aaron Harrelson

Graduated from Central High in St Paul. Studies violin under Aaron Janse and is completing his first instruments. Currently a student at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Jorge Koenen

Graduated from Central High in St Paul. Studies violin and is a business major at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter Minnesota and has completed two instruments. He was also in the Kare 11 story.

Alumni

Joe Peterson

Is a Graduate of Juilliard in NYC, in Viola performance and composition, and is completing a doctorate in Music composition, at the University of California at Davis. He has built 25 instruments and continues to work in violin making as a part time avocation.

John Bulger

Retired Minnesota educator Teaching High School and College. Worked in the Department of Education as director of agency finance, and a K 12 school finance specialist. BA in music, Psychology, BS in Education, MBA: Education Specialist in school administration. Built even double basses both at home and in our shop.

Ken Morrison

Formerly in retail sales in the meat and produce industry. Plays violin, viola and guitar. Has completed five violas and a two violins. Currently starting on his first cello.

Ken L Clevenger

Retired career nurse physicians assistant and Carpenter. Working on finishing his first violin, and is looking to completing several more. Also working on learning repair work on violins.

John Gladman

Currently works in the dental prosthesis industry and is a former jewelry designer, Bass player and is currently building a bass in our shop. He has also finished one violin and completing a second one.

Leo Mc Garry

Former Truck Driver and carpenter working independently now.

Benjamin Hills

Works in theatre Production and has built two instruments.

Trevor Holien

College student and musician, finished first violin and is completing first viola. Semi professional violinist. Performing in the Classical, Jazz and Bluegrass genres.

Caitlin Marlotte

Program manager for TPT channel 2 in Saint Paul. (Public Television). Amateur violinist and Irish fiddler. Completing first violin.

Alastair Brown

Is an active performer in the twin cities on both violin and viola. He is a member of the Minnesota Sinfonia and a regular sub with the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera. He also appears regularly and has recorded with the new music ensemble Zeitgeist. His teachers have been Helen Foli, Mary West, Masao Kawasaki, Dorothy DeLay and Itzhak Perlman. In addition to repair, restorations and making new instruments, Alastair's extensive experience enables him to find the best possible setup of instruments for both playability and tone production

Peter Sappanos

College student, made two violins, four violas and a cello. Taking time off for further schooling in physical therapy.

Patrick Stover

College student and musician. Currently working as a violin maker for L'Anima violin shop. Has made five violins and three violas starting his first cello.

Leo Schneider

Holds a Master of Violin Performance degree from the University of Minnesota and has studied violin making at the guild. As a collector of fine instruments and bows, Leo has the knowledge and connections to help you find an instrument and bow to meet your performance needs. Owns L'Anima Violins. Built five violins one viola and a cello.