About me
I was introduced to the violin at a young age and it has been a major part of my life since that time. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Music from the City University of New York-Brooklyn College in 2003. Since moving back to Minnesota, I have worked as a freelance musician and teacher. In 2011 I started a luthier apprenticeship with William Bartruff, founder of the Violin Guild of America.
Services Offered
“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy.”
Albert Einstein
Reviews
“A very talented maker.”
-Glenn Dicterow, former concertmaster NY Philharmonic
“Mr. Alastair Brown is a world-class master luthier, instrument maker, and musician. I had the privilege of working with him in the past few years, and I compare him to the top luthiers in Europe. He adjusts and repairs my instruments with an uncanny intuition, and spectacular results. His set-ups and repairs are simply perfect. I have worked in a violin shop with a top luthier from Romania and I am very specific with what I need. Whenever I go to him, I pick up the finished instrument and then I put it back in the case, as it is done. Because Mr. Brown is an exceptional violin and viola player, I believe he adjusts the instruments and tries them until he is satisfied. He is extremely fair in his pricing, always much lower than I calculate the work to be. You will find in him a compassionate, knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated professional. I cannot recommend him enough.”
-Dr. Ioana Galu, Prof. Augustana University, South Dakota Symphony Principal Viola
“Alastair makes the most beautiful instruments, especially small violas. Many of my students have purchased his instruments over the years and both myself and the students have been very happy with them. They all have full, rich tones and a far bigger sound than is typical for their size. In fact, if I didn’t know their dimensions, I would guess they were at least 16″ if not larger. Alastair is also the person I have trusted to take care of my viola for the last 12 years. He does exceptional work and because he is such an outstanding violist himself, his adjustments always bring out the very best sound my viola is capable of. On top of it all, he’s a super nice guy with a lot of integrity, so he won’t try to talk you into work you don’t need or overcharge you. I can’t recommend him or his violas highly enough!”
-Molly Gebrian, Prof. New England Conservatory
Alastair Brown Violins 