Meet the Team of Bridge Street Violins
Laurentius - Resident Luthier
The craftsman at Bridge Street Violins, Laurentius takes care of all instrument projects including making, restoration, sound adjustment, rental and client instrument check-ups along with all client contact.
Founding Bridge Street Violins in 2019 after a purchasing a property on the aptly named Bridge Street in the quiet village of Billinghay in Lincolnshire, Laurentius has a long career as a professional Luthier and has relished the opportunity to build a workshop and client base under his own name.
Completing a EDI Level 2 & 3 certificates in Classical Musical Instrument Technology, specialising in Stringed Instrument Making - from the Violin Family, along with a certificate specialising in Baroque Instruments. Later completing a Diploma in Advanced Violin Making and Advanced Repairs, at the Newark School of Violin Making and Repair. Laurentius is a well qualified Luthier with many years of training and experience.
During his time at college he learned the art of violin making from Robert Cain, Paul Harold, Ceris Jones, Nigel Melfi, and Peter Smith. Restoration and bow repairs he learned from Bharat Khandekar, Kai Dase and Paul Gosling. After completing his studies, Laurentius went on to work with many distinguished professionals across Europe, including Johannes Jacobs in the Netherlands, Narelle Freeman in the UK, and Peter Westermann in Switzerland, further expanding his experience and knowledge base.
With a wide knowledge base Laurentius is well trusted by his clients. He listens and is happy to give honest advice on all queries, from services and repairs to newbuild projects and valuations. Get in touch to start the conversation today!
Heather - E-commerce Manager
Bridge Street Violins really is a family business. Laurentius’ partner Heather is the wizard behind the computer. She takes responsibility for the website, SEO, data analytics, reporting, merchandising and general health of the business, making sure everything is in order.
With legendary online skills after 15 years working in the E-commerce industry, it is the perfect partnership that enables Bridge Street to reach all corners of the UK (and abroad)! Heather is on hand updating the website and keeping things in running order.
Bridge Street Renovations
When she isn’t busy with the website, Heather is the main driver of renovations and design for the Bridge Street building, with a full renovation underway this is no small task!
The next project on Bridge Street is to renovate and reopen the shop room to make access much easier for our customers and give a bespoke space to try out our range of instruments. This room will be light and airy with strong acoustics, this will give you a fantastic playing space and be a perfect room to test out our instruments
The Cats of Bridge Street - Quality Assessment
Key members of the Bridge Street team, the cats of Bridge Street are responsible for Quality Assessment, they will not stand for any screechy instruments and help us to make sure every item out of the door has been tuned up to purrfection!
Members of the team include ‘The Girls’, aka Leeloo and Arya, as the most recent additions to the family these sisters are very curious and love to say hello to visitors at the workshop. They are still quite shy but can generally be found asleep somewhere in the workshop and will tweak an ear whenever an off note is detected.
‘The Retiree’ aka Cookie, this old boy has passed the torch on to his new sisters to enjoy a well earned rest from his duties, less likely to be seen around the workshop (unless there’s a spot of sun that needs to be investigated) he can be found sleeping on velvet cushions or quietly judging all that pass by. Head rubs are always welcome and he is very friendly despite his slightly grumpy appearance.
