Mark Schnurr

Mark Schnurr is award winning violin maker working in Flesherton, Canada.  Born in Guelph, Ontario, he began art and music studies at a young age, leading to his life’s dedication and work. Building his first violins as a self taught maker, he later went on to study with violin maker, John Newton. It was under John’s tutelage that Mark honed his skills and developed his eye for classic Italian lines, focusing on fine woodwork and beautifully patinated varnish.  Informed by the great Cremonese masters and modern research – he aims to build instruments with a full tonal pallet, a clear balanced voice with woolly depth and scintillating highs, and that project equally to the finest instruments available. Mark is also interested in the advancement and understanding of stringed instruments, through the study of acoustics and its applications to constructive forms. His violins, violas, and cellos are played throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.  He has attended, both, the Oberlin acoustics and has served on faculty at the Oberlin violin making workshop, and has collaborated with Florian Leonhard Fine Violins in London.

Awards include:

Violin Society of America 23rd International Competition 2018

Silver medal – violin

Violin Society of America 24th International Competition 2022

Gold medal – violin

Double Gold medals – viola

Double Gold medals- quartet

Silver medal – cello