Chicago School of Violin Making
3636 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60076

Chicago School of Violin Making is located in Skokie, Illinois, and was originally founded in 1975 as the Kenneth Warren & Son School of Violin Making. Currently, master violin maker Tschu Ho Lee oversees the Illinois school. In 2002, Chicago School of Violin Making incorporated as a non-profit.

The Illinois school provides students with a full-time, three-year training program in the field of violin making and repair. The program at Chicago School of Violin Making focuses on the models and methods of construction of the 17th and 18th century classical masters. Students at Chicago School of Violin Making complete nine, 14-week trimesters, for a total of more than 120 weeks and over 3,700 class hours.

Students construct several required instruments during the program, including three violins and one viola, while some choose to build a cello. Students at the Illinois school learn basic repair techniques and can enroll in advanced repair courses later in the program. Although previous playing experience is not required for admission to Chicago School of Violin Making, students are required to take weekly individual violin lessons and large ensemble classes.

Quick Facts:

• Chicago School of Violin Making accepts students for trimesters twice a year, in September and January.


• Students applying to the Illinois school are advised to have a love of music, violin playing experience, drawing skills, experience using woodworking tools, and hand and eye coordination.


• The Illinois State Approving Agency approves Chicago School of Violin Making for GI Bill education benefits, and Chicago School of Violin Making is authorized to operate by the Illinois State Superintendent of Education.


• Instruments made by students at Chicago School of Violin Making become the property of the Illinois school, except for a final, graduate test instrument. Students have the option of purchasing any other instrument from the school.


• Students at Chicago School of Violin Making are required to construct a minimum of seven instruments, with wood for six of the instruments supplied by the school at no extra cost. Students purchase their own wood and set-up materials for their final instrument from the school or another supplier.


• The workshop setting at Chicago School of Violin Making encourages students and instructors to interact on an individual and group basis.