Biography of Ms. Margaret Shipman

Margaret Shipman was born in Denver, Colorado on October 7, 1946. Her musical training includes a Bachelor of Music Degree in cello from the Eastman School of Music and a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California.

In 1969, Margaret took her cello to the shop of Hans Weisshaar in Los Angeles for repair. She was astonished to find that the work resulted in "a year's progress without practicing". Fascinated, she began an apprenticeship with Mr. Weisshaar, learning violin making and restoration with him for 21 years until his death in June of 1991. Together, Hans and Margaret co-authored the book "Violin Restoration: A Manual for Violin Makers". It was published in 1988 and has made its way around the world, being called THE standard bearer for the profession.

Miss Shipman won a gold medal for craftmanship and a certificate of merit for sound for a viola in the 1978 international competition sponsored by the Violin Society of America. In 1982 and again in 1992 she gave lectures for this organization on the subject of colormatching and varnishing -- "everyone's biggest problem in repair". In 1995 she gave a seminar on this subject to makers in New Zealand -- fun work and pleasure too. She enjoys giving talks on the practical aspects of caring for instruments and on the Italian method of building instruments.

Miss Shipman has been a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers since 1980 and served on its board of governors from 1985-87. 1987 also brought membership in the prestigious Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art.

While dedicated to violin work, Margaret also enjoys "balancing life" by studying its spiritual aspects, performing music, doing hospice volunteer work and playing tennis.