As our festival launches its eighth season, we pay tribute to one of our annual sponsors, Vermont Violins/The Burlington Violin Shop.

Owned by Kathy Reilly and Oren Kronick , the Burlington Violin Shop is a destination for string players in Vermont. The professional musician, eager young string player, parent needing guidance, the child just starting out with their first instrument--even the Vermont tourist who wanders in--all feel welcome here. As a blog posting put it: 

We are here for the beginners, the veterans and the virtuosos. We're here for the fiddlers, the classical musicians, Balkan-gypsy, bluegrass players or whoever you are. We are also here to connect the amazing community of musicians in Vermont and beyond, as well as share our knowledge of upcoming events, concerts, new and old music that everyone should hear, and all things related!   

Located at 23 Church Street on Burlington's bustling Church Street Marketplace, the Burlington Violin Shop offers on-site restoration and repair services for the whole family of string instruments, as well as quality instruments, bows, music, and accessories.

Owner Kathy Reilly, a violist and luthier, has contributed immeasurably to the classical music community here by molding a business which extends her mission: to inspire young people to play. She says that each year, participants in Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival patronize the shop for repairs and strings, and add to the ambience by trying out instruments and bows in the shop. Kathy mentions that the festival's Emerging Artist concerts also provide a great opportunity for local young musicians to hear kids their own age playing at high levels. (And this year, all GMCMF concerts are free to students age 22 and younger.)

Students of every age and level will find encouragement and practical support from Kathy. As a young person growing up in the area, she was encouraged by local teachers to fully develop her abilities and extend herself into a much larger world of music by attending Oberlin Conservatory. After years of experience performing and teaching, Kathy often provides a listening ear to parents who are unsure about how--or how far--to support their child's musical development.

Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival is only one of many Vermont music schools, programs and performance series that has received financial support from Vermont Violins. We are very grateful for their sponsorship!

Please support the musical community of Burlington by patronizing The Burlington Violin Shop. You can learn more at the following links:

 Burlington Free Press article 

 http://talkvtviolins.com/category/uncategorized/