Claire Givens gave her presentation on the collector Laurence Witten at the VSA’s recent International Competition & Convention in Indianapolis. She traced Witten’s collecting life from the 1960’s to 80’s and where he found the treasures now owned by the National Music Museum. Claire has been on the board of this museum for a number of years and really loves these instruments.

Andrew Dipper, of Dipper Restorations, has been accepted into EILA, or Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers. As a member of this prestigious society, Andrew will work alongside the 170 top violin and bow makers in the world to help fulfill their mission to maintain and improve their working conditions, deepen their friendship and understanding of one another’s work, further develop the best teaching methods for students of the craft, and restore awareness and appreciation for the great arts of violin and bow making. EILA is proud to accept only the finest craftsmen who produce work of the utmost quality, possess significant skill, and exhibit pristine professionalism. Join us in congratulating Andrew on such a wonderful accomplishment!