Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins began his studies in lutherie with Joseph Lacroix in Edmonton in 1979. He worked Duane Wilcox and David Orlin in Wisconsin, and Ross Hill in Calgary. When the Banff Center offered Violin Restoration Workshops, Stephen, studied for four consecutive summers. There he had the great privilege to work with violin makers Jonathan Woolston, Horacio Piniero, and Quentin Playfair; and bow makers David Tamblyn, and Derek Wilson.

Under the mentorship of Dmitry Badiarov, Stephen is a proud collaborator with a group of other internationally recognized luthiers in the revival of Violoncello da Spalla. Mr. Collins is also passionate about designing and making original instruments using the proportional design techniques of the old masters. His instruments and Baroque bows are played by musicians in Canada, the United States, and Japan.

Stephen holds a B. Music degree from the University of Alberta where he studied viola with the founding members of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. He earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Victoria working with Czech violist Jaroslav Karlovsky. He has since enjoyed a long career as a professional musician with orchestras across Canada. This provides him with invaluable insights into the particular needs of professional musicians.