Craig's Violins

Craig Walker’s lifelong connection with the violin began at age five, when his father purchased his first violin while the family was living in Houston, Texas. By age nine, Craig was taking lessons and playing in the school orchestra in Temple, Texas, where he studied privately with Charlotte Reed and Gary Ballard, a violist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

After graduating from Temple High School, Craig developed a growing interest in violin restoration and instrument making. That interest deepened after he moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1985, where he served as a volunteer minister and continued performing in a variety of musical settings, including Broadway-style ensembles, a bluegrass band, and a classical quartet.

In 1990, Craig purchased several antique violins in need of restoration. Determined to learn the craft, he began researching violin restoration and studying the work of makers and restorers in New York City. One important influence was William Monical, known for his work restoring and creating copies of Baroque-period viols, early ancestors of the violin.

In 1994, Craig moved to Wallkill, New York, in the Mid-Hudson Valley, where he continued his volunteer work while taking on more advanced violin-making and restoration projects. During this period, he restored an English violin dating from the 1780–1790 time period and had the opportunity to learn from Joseph Regh, former Vice President of the Violin Society of America. Regh’s scientific approach to studying violins, along with his experience as a violin and bow maker, helped shape Craig’s understanding of restoration, craftsmanship, and instrument evaluation. Craig has been a member of the Violin Society of America for many years.

Craig moved to Austin, Texas, in 2000 to marry his wife, Teresa, and opened Craig’s Violins. Today, Craig’s Violins serves musicians with sales, rentals, repairs, and restoration for violins, violas, cellos, and upright basses. Craig has also worked as a violin appraiser and consultant for the National Geographic television series America’s Lost Treasure, beginning with the July 4, 2012 episode.

Over the years, Craig has worked with a wide range of clients, including professional classical violinists, teachers, Nashville recording artists, respected fiddlers, students, and local families. He enjoys helping young musicians grow in their skills and guiding players as they upgrade to instruments that better support their sound, technique, and musical goals. While most Craig’s Violins clients are local, instruments have also been sold to satisfied players in other states and countries.