Russell Hopper

I am the only professionally trained violin maker/restorer in the Birmingham, AL area. I have been making violins since 2004. I continue to study violin-making at the Violin Craftsmanship Institute at the University of New Hampshire under renowned violin maker and restorer,Geigenbaumeister Horst Kloss. Prior to my career in violin-making, I was an architect in Knoxville, TN and Birmingham, AL and have played the violin for over 30 years. I hold an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick and a B.Arch from the University of Tennessee.

My experience as a stringed instrument performer gives me an enhanced understanding of the needs of musicians. My 15 years as an architect have instilled in me the value of professionalism, integrity and the importance of precision and artistry in my craft.

As a musician, I currently perform Irish fiddle as a soloist, with the Jackson, MS based group Spirits of the House and as a bass/baritone with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus. I also teach Irish fiddle in workshops and privately. In addition to the work at my shop, I volunteer as the staff luthier for the Birmingham, AL youth music organization, SCROLLWORKS, based on the El Sistema program in Venezuela.

Venues Russell has performed include:
Templebar Traditional Music Festival - Dublin, Ireland
The Puck Fair – Killorglin, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Ballinamore August Festival – Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
North Texas Irish Festival - Dallas, TX
CelticFest - Jackson, MS
The Laurel Theatre - Knoxville, TN
Rugby Spring Festival - Rugby, TN
Alive After Five: Knoxville Museum of Art - Knoxville, TN
The Bob Deck Show: WBIR NBC-TV – Knoxville, TN
WDVX Radio – Knoxville, TN
WNCW NPR Radio – Spindale/Shelby, NC
WBHM NPR Radio – Birmingham, AL
Good Day Alabama: WBRC FOX-TV: - Birmingham, AL
Talk of Alabama: WCFT ABC-TV
WorkPlay – Birmingham, AL
CityStages – Birmingham, AL
Samford University - Birmingham, AL
Birmingham International Center Consulate Ball - Birmingham, AL
Birmingham Southern College - Birmingham, AL