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John Simmers completed a Diploma of Music (Viola) at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1988. In 1990, he began working with Lance Scott as a trainee violin repairer in Brisbane. In 1993, John began the Violin Making and Repairing course at the renowned Newark School of Violin Making in England. He gained his Diploma of Violin Making and Repairing, awarded with Distinction in 1996. During his time at Newark, John was commissioned to make a Baroque violin, by the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Following some time in Frank Passa's workshop in San Francisco, John returned to Australia to establish his own workshop in Brisbane. He now spends his time repairing, restoring and making instruments as well as running the business.
John personally takes care of all the repair, restoration and setup work at the shop. He believes that string players at all levels deserve to have instruments that are beautifully set up and are in good condition. This is fundamental to the success of Simmers Violin Shop.
As a professional musician who studied viola, cello and double bass at a tertiary level, and a trained violin maker and restorer, John is in a perfect position to select the instruments that we sell at Simmers Violin Shop. He aims to use his broad range of skills to select instruments of the highest standard that represent unsurpassed value to our customers.
John regularly participates in professional development programs, and believes that a violin makers education is a continuous process. The craft of violin restoration and repair is continuously evolving and its important to continue to participate on a global level.
In recent years, John has attended Geary Baeses Varnishing Masterclass in Arizona (assisted by Arts Queensland), the British Violin Makers Assiciations Violin Restoration Course at West Dean College and the Violin Society of Americas Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop.
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