John Dailey
workshop manager

Discovering an interest in violins at a young age, John’s failure at age 15 to make a fine violin in the family garage only impelled him to learn more. Although John was offered an apprenticeship at an established violin shop, he waited until after high school to pursue what he knew would be a lifelong study of violin making.

At the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City from 1999 to 2003, John studied music theory, art, technical drawing, varnish, and violin making and its history. Upon graduating, John continued his studies by apprenticing with various luthiers, including John Young and Ryan Soltis.

John joined Carriage House Violins in 2008. Training with the shop’s technicians has enabled him to continue his journeymanship and to fine-tune his skills in instrument setup, tonal adjustment, making, and restoration.

John thoroughly enjoys being able to see and study historical instruments on a daily basis at Carriage House Violins. As a violin maker he believes there is nothing more important than to study the work of the masters.