16 1/4" Louis Gord viola, Montréal 2022

Louis Gord grew up in Angers, France in a family filled with artists and musicians. He studied viola at Angers Musical Conservatory for twelve years and has played in various orchestras and chamber music ensembles. His love for music and crafts pushed him to the service of performers and their instruments. In 2012, he graduated from the International Violin Making School of Mirecourt in France.

During his studies, he worked on the restoration and maintenance of antique and rare instruments with Jérome Doucet in Angers as well as the firm of Vatelot-Rampal in Paris. However, he quickly grew fond of making modern instruments. After completing the program in Mirecourt, Louis worked with violin makers Marcus Klimke, Antoine Cauche, Patrick Robin, and Viateur Roy.

In January 2014, he began working with Isabelle Wilbaux in Montréal. For their mutual work on a viola, Isabelle and Louis won Certificates of Merit for tone and workmanship at the 2014 Violin Society of America competition in Indianapolis. And during the 2018 VSA Competition, Louis was awarded a Certificate of Merit for Workmanship for a viola.