Stacy Westman

Stacy Westman is a violin maker based in Chicago, where she currently works for McLaughlin Violins. Outside the shop, she continues to make instruments independently and in collaboration with her partner, fellow CSVM graduate Brian Lee. Originally trained as a violinist, Stacy became interested in violin making and repair after visiting Schultz Strings, a violin shop in her hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the age of 15, she began working part time at Schultz, where she learned the fundamentals of instrument repair and eventually became a full-time employee. Seeking to further develop her skills as a maker, Stacy attended the Chicago School of Violin Making, studying with Antoine Nédélec, Jordan Ripstein, Dan Gillespie, and Jeff Phillips. While attending school, she also worked part time for Seman Violins, and spent several school breaks in North Carolina working with Triangle Strings. Each summer, Stacy attends the Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop, where she collaborates with makers from around the world, exchanges ideas with friends and colleagues, and continues to develop her craft.