SVA Spring Workshop 2026

The 2026 SVA Spring Workshop was held April 13–19 at Wildacres Retreat in Little Switzerland, North Carolina, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. With a full enrollment of 17 participants, the week offered an immersive and collaborative environment focused on violin making at a high level.

Under the guidance of coach Jack Devereux, attendees worked together on a group build based on the del Gesù “Plowden” model. The workshop emphasized plate construction, including arching and graduations, as well as scroll work, while a second instrument progressed through final woodwork and into the early stages of varnishing.

In addition to the group project, makers advanced their own instruments with support from both the coach and fellow participants. Focused sessions included presentations and discussions on both spirit and oil varnish techniques, enriching the technical depth of the week.

A highlight of the workshop was the Maker’s Choice Competition, where participants evaluated one another’s instruments in an open and collegial setting. The results reflect both the high level of craftsmanship and the shared spirit of learning that defined the week.