16 1/4" Yann Poulain viola, Montpellier 2024

French luthier Yann Poulain graduated with distinction from the Newark School of Violin Making in England in 2001. He returned to France to work for Friedrich Alber and Frédéric Chaudière in Montpellier before opening his own workshop in 2007 in the historic town center. Poulain's instruments have appeared in exhibitions worldwide, including Musicora in Paris, Mondomusica in Cremona, the Royal Northern College of Music Cello Festival in Manchester, Music Korea in Seoul, and Contemporary Violin Makers Exhibitions hosted by Reed Yeboah Fine Violins. He is a member of L'Association des Luthiers et Archetiers, the Académie Internationale de Musique de Montpellier, and the Violin Society of America, where he received a Certificate of Merit for tone 2012 for a quartet of his instruments. Other awards include First Prize for Viola Sound at the 2011 Fête des Luthiers in Montpellier, and the Excellence Artisanale prize in 2013 from the French Chamber of Trades and Crafts.