A Brescian Inspired American Viola By Zachary Johnson, 2014. 16 1/4”

Zach Johnson was born in Montana and grew up in Oregon. He made his first violin under the direction of David Dunn and then matriculated into the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City, Utah, graduating a few years later. He worked for Stephanie Voss in Atlanta before returning to Oregon to work at the Eugene Violin Shop. He settled in Lexington Kentucky and recently left Old Town Violins to manage a branch of the Baroque Violin Shop and continue servicing the community. He enjoys time with his family and focuses on new making, for which he has already won an award for a viola made in 2014.

Zach’s making is imaginative and curious, yielding instruments that are both eye catching and immediately pleasing to play. This Johnson vIola was the instrument for which he won a craftsmanship award and features attractive tone woods which include a striking two-piece Myrtle back measuring 413mm in length, with matching ribs and painstakingly detailed antiquing to the varnish. It represents one of two copies made of a Brescian viola Lillian Fuchs performed with and delivers a voice that is rich and mellow, dark with a velvety quality thay readily offers both ample resistance and a punchy clarity.