Alex Reza

Alex first became interested in violin making after his children began taking violin lessons in 2006 in Austin, Texas. He started collecting violins repairing and donating them to students in local orchestras. He commissioned a violin for his daughter in 2008 and it was inspiring to be involved in the process of choosing the model and wood for the violin. Alex started his first violin in 2008 with the guidance of a local violin maker in Austin, Texas. When visiting family in Bellevue, Nebraska he visited a violin shop, asked about the possibility of apprenticing and learning violin making, he was hooked! A year later 2013, Alex submitted a violin he had made in the Violin Makers Association of Arizona competition and won the grand prize, Bob Wallace Award, for overall tone, in 2017 received a Silver medal for overall violin workmanship, varnish and tone. His instruments are in the hands of a professional violinist including one currently recording the Bach Partitas and Sonatas, students at the New England Conservatory of Music, Drake University, and with other professional musicians. Alex passionately handcrafts each instrument, make his own varnish and ground system. Alex is a member of the VSA, SVA, and the VMAAI. He currently serves on the board of directors of the VMAAI, is a regular attendee of the VSA acoustics workshop in Oberlin and is also actively involved with local musicians. With the support of his loving wife he devotes himself to the craft full time, and continues his quest to produce the best instruments he possibly can. Alex's love and desire to make the perfect violin keeps him focused on making every instrument the best he can. Alex collaborates and works with local makers and musicians to provide the highest quality handcrafted instruments. Is one of the featured stories in MailChimp Presents Second Act.