I would actually like to introduce two of us, my daughter Mackenzie and myself, (Steve).
Mackenzie is thirteen and is first chair in her middle school orchestra and a member of the all county orchestra.
What started out as looking for a used violin for her has turned into an hobby/obsession.
We started out buying a 62 Suzuki that was nice but needed parts and set up...
I went on Facebook market and found a violin to buy for parts, it had ebony parts, two cases(one with a hygrometer) and two bows ( one was a Glasser composite).
We get it home and realize it is Gliga Vasile. The violin sounds amazing and is her regular violin.
We ordered some parts and fixed up the Suzuki but the bridge was too flat. So I cut my first bridge using online help. I actually had to cut a second one to get it right.
Our next violin cost us 30 dollars from Craigslist... it was in horrible shape.
All falling apart, dirty, , separated, twisted ribs, full of mud bugs, etc., you get the picture. The gentleman said there was no name on it and he almost threw it in the garbage. We get it home and realize there is a label inside of it and a stamp on the back. “Stainer”.
We tore it down, cleaned up the parts, fixed the separated back and started reassembly.
We were able to save the original stain with just some new shading and London polished a finish on it. When I figure how to post pictures I will.
This started the obsession.
A couple dozen violins later...

This has become something we can do together. And Mack is collecting violins.

Mack has donated five of her violins to her school. We have a few more that are going soon. We have it set up to donate a violin to any student who can’t afford one next year that wants to be in orchestra.
We have learned sooo much but we do need a little help here and there.
We look forward to meeting y’all