A trained violist, Thérèse Girard received in 1980 a Canada Council grant to study at the International School of stringed instruments making in Cremona, Italy (I.P.I.A.L.L)? In 1984 she obtained her diploma under Wanna Zambelli. While in Italy she also studied bow-making with maestro Giovanni Lucchi.

She specializes in the engraving of frogs and buttons, a technique learned from Maester Jeweller, Aristide Tira.

Back in Canada she opens an atelier and works closely with the luthier Jean-Benoît Stensland.

In 1992 she was commissioned to make a cello bow to be part of the permanent collection of the Canadian Museum of Civilisations.

From 2000 to 2003, she teached violin making at the CEGEP de Limoilou.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maker’s Forum from september 2018 to september 2020.

​In January 2019 , after more than 30 years in Montreal, Stensland & Girard moves their atelier in Vieux Sainte-Rose, Laval.