IV
Violin Maker
Ann Arbor, United States
Joseph Curtin is a violinmaker, researcher, and 2005 MacArthur Fellow working in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His clients include (or have included) violinists Erick Friedmann, Ilya Kaler, Cho-Liang Lin, Elmar Oliveira, Yehudi Menuhin, and Ruggiero Ricci.
Curtin was born in Toronto, Canada, and worked with Gregg Alf from 1985 till 1997 as Curtin & Alf. In 2013, the "ex-Ricci" Curtin & Alf sold for $132,000, a world record auction price for work by living makers.
Curtin works at the intersection of science and violinmaking to optimize his traditional instruments and to create innovative models, such as the 'ultralight.' He has written and lectured extensively on the art and science of the violin.
He joins the Artisan's Corner at Echo Arts as a lecturer, offering our students a maker's view of the instruments they will spend their lives with.
- Makes
- Violins and Violas
- Founded
- Curtin & Alf, 1985
- Own studio
- 1997
- Honour
- MacArthur Fellow, 2005
