Buying a few tools and professing skill does not a luthier make. Reputation and experience are the key.  Orchestra repair in the area has been inconsistent at best, unethical at worst.  Until recently...

Chris Bluemel, violinmaker and clinician, has repaired instruments for numerous professional players throughout the southeast, including performers and educators at the Villanova University Strings Workshop in Philadelphia, PA.

Chris instructs two graduate level accredited courses at Villanova, one independent 40 hour course and one as part of the Workshop.   These courses are designed to make the educator more effective both in the classroom, and in assessing their current repairs