Sticking pegs? Leaning bridges? Broken strings? Annoying buzzes? These are common problems which can lead to major frustration and loss of useful rehearsal time in your orchestra classroom. In this fun and informative clinic, Luthier Spencer Hamann will help empower YOU to identify common ailments in violin family instruments, appraise and understand the instruments you encounter, and make minor adjustments and repairs to instruments without the need to visit your local Luthier.
Spencer Hamann
- Biographical Information
Spencer Hamann has practiced and studied the luthier’s art for over 15 years, and assisted thousands of musicians, educators, and students in sounding their best and realizing their musical potential through his fine work on their instruments. Hamann approaches his craft with respect and contemplation, and articulates its concepts and philosophies with a uniquely loving and whimsically lyrical style. A native of Wisconsin, Hamann was the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship for Artistic Excellence for his work with musical performance, instrument construction, and repair. Hamann earned a Fine Arts Degree in Music History and Literature and a certificate in Celtic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee which he attended from 2007-2011. He has studied lutherie with master luthiers including Mark Cooley, Georgi Shumanov, Petio Kostov, and Plamen Chavdarov, and currently can be found in the workshops of Classic Violins of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Mundelein, Illinois.
Stefanie Shumanova holds an MA degree in English Philology from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridsky" and an MA degree in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University. Her experience includes working in the string/band rental department at Karnes Music, administrative assistant for Tschu Ho Lee at the Chicago School of Violin Making, full-time instructor of linguistics at Northeastern Illinois University, and ESL instructor at the College of Lake County. She is the office and operations manager at Classic Violins, organizing both the Mundelein, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin locations. Her background in linguistics and music uniquely equips her to effectively communicate with musicians and develop programs to best serve the music community.