1985–89 BA Classical Languages, cum laude, Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Work History

• 1989–93: M&R Weisshaar Violin Shop, Costa Mesa
• 1993–94: Bernard Camurat, Montigny-sur-Loing, France
• 1995–99: Michael Becker Fine Violins, Park Ridge, IL
• 1999–Present: M&R Weisshaar & Son Violin Shop, Costa Mesa, CA

EILA

• Joined 2004
• US Delegate 2017–present
• Natural Resource Committee 2018-present

AFVBM

• Joined 2010
• Board Member 2014–16
• Vice President 2016–18
• President 2018–20
• Secretary 2021–present

Alliance-International

• AFVBM delegate 2018–present
• 2020-22 Current President

1984, American Federation of Violin & Bowmakers, Degree of Journeyman

1989, Fulbright Scholarship and Annette Kade Fellowship for bow study in France

Work history

• 1969–2021, Bassist, Portland Symphony Orchestra
• 1970–present, Self-employed bow repair, bow maker
• 1990–present, Instructor, University of New Hampshire Violin Craftsmanship Institute

Organizations

• 1984–present, American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers
• 1999–present, IPCI-USA
• 2000–present, EILA membership
• 2019–present, EILA Alliance
• 2021–present, Alliance-International, VP

• Maker of new instruments and restorations since 1984, Huntington, Long Island, New York
• Studied at the Newark School of Violin Making and W.E. Hill & Sons
• 1977: Journeyman in the shop of Vahakn Nigogosian in New York
• 1980: Assisted Carl Becker (Chicago) with restorations and new instruments.
• 1989: Full member American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers
• 1994: Full member of Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art
• 2009-Present: Entente General Secretary

• Bow maker and restorer, NYC
• Founder member, present international chair: IPCI International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative
• Member and past president: American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers
• Board member: International Association of Violin and Bow Makers

EDUCATION

• 1984-87- Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, French National Violin making School

WORK

• 1987-88- Didier workshop, Metz
• 1988-91- Christophe Girardot workshop, Dijon
• 1992-94- Jean Schmitt workshop, Lyon
• 1994-96- Wilder and Davis workshop, Montreal
• 1996-present- President and violin maker, La Maison de Violon, Inc., Montreal

EILA

• 2003- member
• 2013-17- Vice-president
• 2017-19- President

ALLIANCE

• 2018- Co-founder with Charles Rufino

ALLIANCE-INTERNATIONAL

• 2022- Governor

• Attorney and independent environmental consultant.
• 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, environmental policy and advocacy.
• John has advised the United Nations, the European Union, government ministries, legislators, nonprofit organizations, foundations, universities and businesses.
• He represents the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species before the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and other government bodies.
• President of the Board of Directors of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative-USA
• Past Executive Director of Rainforest Foundation-US
• He holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

Educational background: 

• Oberlin Conservatory, viola performance 
• Oberlin College, International Relations
• University of Vermont, Master’s degree in Field Naturalist Program

Work background: 

• Co-owner, Vermont Violins since 1994
• Manufacturer of the V. Richelieu line of violins and violas
• American distributor of Sonowood, a sustainable wood alternative to ebony
• Friends of the Earth where she focused on issues relating to the international tropical timber trade and endangered species preservation including working papers for a UN CITES convention. 
• Nature Conservancy in Vermont where she developed management plans for existing nature preserves with updated ecosystem protection principles

Chase is honored to serve as a Board Member of the Alliance-International, which works to conserve Pernambuco and other precious species. Chase also serves a Mayoral appointment as a DC Arts Commissioner, is a board member of Sound Impact, and is a member of the Violin Society of America.