Barnes Violins

6115 Yale St.
Houston, Texas

Phone: 281-701-1826

Dorian grew up playing piano. He spent a few years learning violin and French horn as well. At the age of 15 he started as an apprentice at Casa del Sol Violins in Indianapolis, IN. He worked there until attending violin making at Indiana University. He graduated with a Bachelors degree and began working for Consort International, the makers of Sofia Violins in 1994. During this time, he continued working for Casa del Sol and working with makers such as Mark T. Womack and Alex Leyvand. Currently Dorian Barnes works for Mark Lisle, of Lisle Violin Shop in Houston, Texas since 2002.

Dorian’s instruments have been described as “powerful”, "easy to play" and “sensitively responsive.” His instruments are owned by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra (New Jersey), Mercury Baroque Ensemble (Houston), and professional players in New York, Texas, Missouri, Indiana as well as the Dominican Republic. In 2006 he received a Certificate for Tone award at the Violin Society of America competition in Baltimore, MD. Dorian is also sought after as a lecturer and has presented bridge carving demonstrations as well as sound adjustments seminars to HISD music teachers as well as to surrounding school districts.

Dorian has continued to expand his knowledge by attending Violin Making Workshops such as Oberlin College, an annual workshop that attracts the finest makers from around the world and Violin Varnishing Workshops taught by Joe Robeson, Marilynn Wallin, Roman Barnas and Todd Goldenberg. He has also studied privately with renowned maker Raymond Schryer.

Dorian provides full service for setup and restoration of all stringed family instruments and their bows.
Please call to make an appointment