Institute Teaches Art of Violin-Making

Although Peter Van Arsdale has made four violins, the acupuncturist from Berkeley wants to learn more. That is why he is attending the Summer String Institute at Cal Lutheran University.

The monthlong program, which started July 17 and will continue through Aug. 18, has three sessions on violin building, repair, maintenance and bow making. About 10 students participate in each session, which can last from one to two weeks.

Some students repair violins as a profession, while others build them as a hobby. Others just want to try something new.

The purpose of the institute is to teach people with different skills how to make and repair violins so that they learn something new year after year, said Boyd Poulsen, the instructor of the violin-making and repair sessions.

Poulsen, who began teaching at the string institute three years ago, said he wishes there had been a class like this for him when he began working in the violin repair business in the 1960s. The 65-year-old Arnold, Calif., resident retired earlier this year but still makes violins.