Jim Banicki
Head Luthier, Workshop Manager

Jim Banicki, manager of the Vermont Violins workshop,graduated from the Chicago School of Violin Making in 1985. He went on to work in the workshops of both John Norwood Lee and William Harris Lee crafting fine instruments and bows. He worked at Kenneth Warren & Son violin shop for 15 years, eventually becoming one of their senior repairmen. In the Warren workshop he had the opportunity to restore fine and historic instruments including those by such makers as A. Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesu, and Jacob Stainer. When the Warren shop closed their luthier workshop, Mr. Banicki continued to serve the Warren's and their clients including those from the Chicago Symphony.

Testimonials

Dear Jim,

I want to thank you for your wonderful restoration work on my cello. It looks absolutely beautiful but I am most excited with how the sound has opened up! It really resonates with a full, even tone over the entire range of the instrument. Another striking change is how easily it plays. This is truly the best my cello has ever been, and I can't thank you enough for your wonderful work, your time and amazing skill. -Sincerely, Donna Denniston

"I want to thank you for the wonderful rehair job that you have done on my son's violin bow.  You are absolutely ht ebest person we have found to rehair his bow.  We have had a terrible time with rehair jobs from luthiers in our area.  My son is so thankful to have met you up at Meadowmount this past summer!"    --Tamera Murphy

Eban Bodach-Turner,bowmaker, Vermont Violins

Eben Bodach-Turner
Bow maker and bow repair

Eben was born and raised in Middlesex, Vermont and attended Rumney Elementary School and Union 32 Jr/Sr High School. He now resides in East Montpelier with his wife and two children.
Eben's education began in repair here at Vermont Violins in 1996, working after school and in the summer. Upon receiving a Bachelors of Music in Recording from Ithaca College in 2002.  While at Ithaca, he began his studies in bow repair and making with Lynn Armour Hannings during the summers.  "I still visit her often to show her my most recent work. In 2006 I had the opportunity to travel to Paris to show work to several fine makers there.  Their feedback and encouragement were truly inspiring and the experience has informed all of my work since.", Eben Bodach-Turner. 

Eben is a bass player by training and enjoys playing with the Vermont Philharmonic under Lou Kosma, along with playing with the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra Society. While his background is primarily in orchestral music and some jazz, he loves to listen to all types of music.

"I love bows.  There is an endless amount to learn about them and how players use them.  It is always exciting, whether its making a new bow, repairing an old one or seeing one that I've rehaired many times.  I am grateful for the opportunity to work in this wonderful field." - Eben Bodach-Turner

Testimonials

When I first put my hands on the Eben Bodach-Turner bow, I couldn't put it down.  Partly, I was afraid someone else might snatch it up; but mostly it just felt so inviting to play!  It had the perfect combination of qualities that I like but can never find all at once in a bow:  stiff enough to have the backbone it needs yet springy enough to respond to the demands of off string and ornamental bowing, warm yet clear and bright, light and well balanced.  It brings out a beautiful resonance that keeps going, even after the stroke is finished and will do anything I ask it to do with minimal coaxing. On top of all of this, the bow has a distinctive look that I find quite appealing as well as exquisite craftsmanship.  Finally, since I play many styles from old time fiddle to classical, I have found it to be flexible enough to fit the variety of styles as well as pull the most glorious sound out of all of my violins—not just the one it was originally matched for.  I highly recommend that anyone try these exquisite bows and see what you think!--Sarah Hotchkiss, fiddler/violist from Woodbury Strings in Montpelier, VT.

Harry Grabenstein
Bow maker and bow repair

Harry Grabenstein studied bowmaking with William Salchow at the University of New Hampshire. He was bowmaker at he Tourin Musica from 1983 to 1990. Grabenstein continues to build a full range of historical bows for the viola and violin families of string instruments. Using snakewood, pernambuco, ebony and other hardwoods he creates beautifully detailed bows that play expressively and are secure on the string. Clients include: members of Fretwork, The Kings Noyse, the Van Swieten Quartet, the Baltimore Consort, Ensemble Galilei, Chatham Baroque, The Orchestra of the 18th Century, The Boston Symphony, and The Cleveland Orchestra.

Edward Porte
Luthier

Ed specializes in instrument set-ups out of our West Lebanon, New Hampshire workshop. He is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota and studied with Lisbeth Nelson-Butler at the Red Wing Technical Institute. Ed has attended various classes with Karl Roy, Hans Nebel and Lynn Hanning at the UNH summer programs. His past experience includes working with William Scott Violins from 2000-2001.

Ed spends much of his time with his children, who studied Suzuki at MacPhail Center for the arts in Mpls., MN. Personal musical interests include Hot Club of France, Baroque and traditional Irish fiddle music.

At the West Lebanon site of Vermont Violins, Ed can service all of your needs from repairs to upgrading your current violin and bow. Ed's knowledgeable background benefits both the beginning student to professional musician.

Nat Taft
Luthier

Nat was born in Nashua, NH but he was reared in the midwest. He calls Wisconsin, especially its sand counties, home. Earning degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Nat then attended Minnesota State College and Southeast Technical School in Red Wing, MN, where he earned a diploma in Musical String Instruments. Nat specializes in violin repair.

Nat has played cello for over twenty years, having studied under Jean Montez in Appleton, WI. Recently he began playing the viol da gamba and hopes soon to build one himself. He also enjoys singing with large choral ensembles and hopes someday to fulfill his long time wish to play the tuba in a polka band. Nat is enjoying Vermont and all its outdoor opportunities.