Daniel Lewis McIrvin Davis VM ’14

I am a musician and before enrolling at NBSS, I made non-violin stringed instruments including guitars and banjos. I even worked for a while in a factory that made stringed basses. I chose to study at NBSS because I wanted to focus on exclusively hand-made instruments.

While becoming a true master luthier will take years, the NBSS program has given me a huge head start on hand skills and techniques. I expect to be making violins for my entire life, continuing to perfect the craft.

I have set up a shop, Daniel Davis Violins in Rhode Island, where I live. I have sold some of the instruments I made during school, and others I have met are interested in purchasing future instruments. I have found a career I can be proud of.

I continue to play old time music in Pitcher’s Garage Band. Both my wife and I play fiddle, banjo and mandolin in the band.

While becoming a true master luthier will take years, the NBSS program has given me a huge head start on hand skills and techniques. I expect to be making violins for my entire life, continuing to perfect the craft.