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The following information about this luthier was submitted on 1/1/2005 via 68.40.180.154 by Gregg Alf. It has not been verified by Violinist.com, which takes no responsibility for its accuracy.

Gregg Alf

1221 Prospect Ave
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Phone: (734) 665-2012
Website: http://www.alfstudios.com

Builds violins and/or bows? Yes
Sells? Yes
Repairs? No

Born in Los Angeles, California on January 30th 1957, Gregg Alf is one of today's leading contemporary violin makers. He trained in Cremona, Italy for eight years before returning to the USA in 1984 and opening Alf Studios in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
His violins hold a full range of awards and Gold Medals earned in International Competitions and Exhibits around the world including the honorary designation 'Hors Concours' from the Violin Society of America in 1982. His models have evolved through an in depth study of the rare instruments that pass through his shop combined with an equally close dialogue with the concert artists that own them. Sponsors of Gregg’s work include some of the most respected performers of today including Elmar Oliveira and Ruggiero Ricci.

While honoring in his work the Italian traditions from the past, Gregg is an advocate of innovation and the use of scientific inquiry for better understanding the acoustical foundations of violinmaking. His advocacy of new instruments has helped draw a new generation of string players to the viability of modern instruments in meeting their concert needs. Alf violins appear regularly on concert stages and in new recordings such as Ricci’s November 2001 release, The Legacy of Cremona.

In years past he has been presented as guest lecturer by educational institutions across the United States from the Juilliard School to USC, and worldwide in summer workshops presented by the American String Teachers Association. Gregg holds membership in the Violin Society of America, the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers (associate), and the Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art.

Gregg is a faculty member of the Oberlin Violinmaking Workshops and appears regularly in different venues, from the classrooms of many of today's violinmaking schools to Cunard's luxury-liner, the "Q.E.II". He is contributes frequently to the professional organizations of his trade and served as a workmanship judge at the VSA’s Violinmaking Competition in 2002.

Founder and Artistic Director of the Amiata Summit, Gregg believes that promoting a new climate of openness between his violinmaking colleagues and encouraging original new models that look to the future while honoring the past are keys to real progress in the art of violinmaking.

When away from his bench, Gregg may be found scuba diving, cooking Italian food, practicing meditation and yoga, or just enjoying life with his wife Anna, his young son Leo and his friends.

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