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The University of New Mexico's violin making program, housed in Masley Hall, stands as the sole collegiate program of its type nationwide.
Participants master the art of creating violins from raw timber, employing centuries-old lutherie techniques and tools that have remained virtually unchanged for more than four centuries.
Each student crafts a single instrument during their enrollment—a meticulous process requiring several hundred hours, primarily using manual implements like gouges, chisels, knives, planes, and scrapers. With classes held twice weekly in the evenings, most students finish their instrument within five semesters. While the program doesn't aim to train professional violin makers, it provides an extraordinary and deeply fulfilling creative journey.
The program welcomes applicants from all academic backgrounds and community members alike. No previous woodworking knowledge is necessary, though prospective students must consult with the instructor before admission to showcase basic aptitude for the required craftsmanship skills.