15 5/8" Joseph Grubaugh & Sigrun Seifert viola, Petaluma 2016

Acclaimed violin makers and restorers Joseph Grubaugh and Sigrun Seifert have been working partners for more than 35 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they also raised their two children. Sigrun is a graduate of the Mittenwald School of Violin Making, and Joseph received his initial training from Albert C. Muller. The couple met in Los Angeles at the workshop of Hans Weisshaar before moving to San Francisco to establish their own business.

Grubaugh & Seifert instruments have won multiple awards for tone and workmanship in international competitions, including five Gold and four Silver medals at competitions held by the Violin Society of America. They were designated Hors Concours by this organization in 1998. Both have presided as judges at the VSA and other international competitions, taught at the VSA's Violin Making and Restoration Workshops held at Oberlin College, written numerous articles for The Strad and Strings magazines, lectured extensively, and are sought after as restorers of important antique instruments. Grubaugh & Seifert instruments are owned by leading players in major orchestras throughout the world.