A friend of mine decided to make violins in his 40s when he found that learning to play violin was not going so well. That was about 40 years ago. He recently finished his 101st instrument. Of the instruments he made (86 violins, 12 violas and 3 cellos) only his first and last violins remain in his possession. He has sold the rest and has been the town's go-to luthier (including bow rehairing) for the past 30 years.
Thank you for sharing the video of you and your classmates. I've never had the patience for wood-working but have to admire those who do.
Also, as a fellow feline fancier it must be wonderful to be able to have your work cat-scanned as you proceed.
Your interpretation suggests that you might be especially susceptible to the fiddle-making addiction, so please be very careful. :-)
(I wonder if it actually helps to graduate a plate, if you have a cat squirming on your lap?)
The "class" or group approach, each member making an instrument, seems a fine way to ensure many of them get to finish their instruments. I embarked on a similar project, about a year ago, largely to accompany a young art/design graduate, who wanted to make the instrument. We haven't progressed far.