Ryan Soltis

Ryan L. Soltis is a professional violinmaker who has been creating custom violins, violas and cellos for over 20 years. Ryan graduated from the Violin Making School of America in 2000.  Post graduation, he went to work in the violin making studio of David Folland in his home state of Minnesota. In 2002 Ryan set up shop in Salt Lake City where he resided for six years. At the 2004 Violin Society of America sponsored Oberlin workshop, Ryan was fortunate to meet the renowned maker, Samuel Zygmuntowicz.

Through his ongoing collaboration with Zygmuntowicz as his primary mentor and inspiration, Ryan feels fortunate to have developed a finer understanding of how to make instruments that balance clarity and tone. 

In 2021, after ten years of living and working in northern Idaho, Ryan moved to Nelson, BC to set up his new workshop in Canada. Ryan strives to hold himself up against excellent standards of workmanship.

His instruments are known for their rich and beautiful color of sound and ease of play and are played in symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world.