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A Community Page |
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Gainesville Violins receives well over 150 letters, cards and emails per year commenting on its instruments and services. Here follows a small selection of them, as well as pictures of customers that may be of interest. Gainesville Violins has customers on a number of islands and on all continents except Antarctica. Unfortunately we cannot feature all of them, due to lack of space.
More customers can be seen on the "About Us", "Catalog", "Workshop", "Italian Violins", "Featured Instruments", "Fiddles", "Bows" and "CodaBows" pages of this website.
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Melissa Roske from Plano TX wrote (email 2005): "I enjoyed looking at your 'Customers' page. |
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John van Stelten, Louisville CO, wrote (2007): "You have a wonderful craft and music around you and so I would say, 'You are a very rich man indeed'." |
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Christophe Nguyen from Los Angeles CA wrote (email 2005): "I really enjoyed browsing through your website. The young students' and customers' comments and photos add a touch of warmth and compassion to your passion for stringed instruments. This is the best way to |
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Camille Clement Gregg, Jacksonville FL, wrote: "Thank you for making the world sound better, one note at a time. Fondly, Camille." |
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Caytie Beth Tedder on her 6th birthday, July 8 2008. |
CAYTIE BETH TEDDER'S MOM, MICHELLE TEDDER, VIOLIN TEACHER IN JACKSONVILLE FL, WROTE: "Dear Jan, "We made a special trip to Gainesville for her 6th birthday. I must tell you, your rapport with young children is amazing! Caytie Beth was so excited and you made her feel so welcome. I just can’t thank you enough. I have a whole new appreciation for you and your staff now that I have experienced you through my child’s eyes. "We absolutely love her 1/8 Kreisler 'Millennium Encore' violin. For such a little instrument it has an amazing sound! |
"My studio recital was the week after our purchase, and Caytie Beth was insistent on playing her violin for it. So she gave her first violin recital (playing open strings pizzicato) just 6 days after receiving her violin! "I just can’t thank you enough for all you have done. Your integrity and attention to quality shines in all you do. You have brought such joy to so many musicians! I look forward to many more years of doing business with you." |
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 Nicolette Solomon, Jan and Anna in Dallas, Summer of 2007. |
"Jan: You are becoming famous. I cannot imagine ever not having 'Gainesville Violins', as it is the best violin shop in the whole world, for everybody from Twinklers to Ernst's 'Erlkonig'. You have made my students what they are, because their instruments do them justice. Crista Guthrie recently played the Bach A Minor in Santa Fe NM and her violin, a 1/2-size, outshone all the full-sizes in the same concert! You are brilliant and exceptional, and certainly your coming to America had a lot to do with it. Love, Nicolette." (Nicolette Solomon is Executive Director and Strings Specialist at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas TX.) |
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Robert Smith,Lakeland, FL |
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IN 2008, ROBERT SMITH CAME WITH HIS PARENTS ON HIS 14th BIRTHDAY TO BUY A VIOLIN FROM GAINESVILLE VIOLINS. HE EMAILED JAN THIS REPORT ON THE NEXT DAY: |
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"I love my my new violin! It sounds beautiful and it looks just as good. Today I played it for a good five hours and I just couldn't believe how good it sounded. My experience at Gainesville Violins was better than I could have imagined. My parents had called them beforehand and told Jan what we were looking for. When we arrived Jan was waiting there with about five violins on the oval table. He let me play each one and told me about its history and other things. Eventually I picked one out. He sent me home with six bows for an in-home trial. The experience overall was just really customer-friendly." LEFT: Jan shows Robert some violins. |
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LEFT two pictures: 1. In their car on the way home, Robert could not leave his wonderful Krystian Schaf violin alone but had to strum it all the time. 2. Robert even carried his violin with him into Sam's - quite correctly, to protect it from the heat. |
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LEFT two pictures: Robert on his new Krystian Schaf violin. |
The violin's beautiful back. |
Robert's new bow. |
Robert's baroque bow. |
ROBERT'S MOTHER, CHRISTINE SMITH, WROTE TO JAN AS FOLLOWS: "Robert is SO HAPPY with his violin. My husband, Ken, and I feel very good about it. It is scary purchasing something that is so difficult to research and is such a personal decision for the violinist. We could not be happier with our experience at your shop and felt thoroughly informed by the time we were through, but never pressured." [Over many years Jan has gained a lot of experience about making a good match between a player and a violin.] |
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Emily BullardJacksonville, FL |
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Amelyse Arroyo fixing Emily's fine Hopf violin. |
Emily's Hopf after its repair |
TOP: Emily Bullard spent a day hanging out at Gainesville Violins in the "Magic Forest", Gainesville FL. RIGHT: Emily, rightly proud of her Hopf violin. |
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Emily managed to get beautiful sounds out of the Chinese traditional erhu which Jacob Keith brought for Jan from China. |
Emily turned out to be a natural on the cello, playing Bach by ear. |
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IN JULY 2008 EMILY EMAILED AMELYSE "Thank you very much! I had so much fun and learned a great deal while I was there with you all at the Violin House in the Magic Forest. My violin is amazing. I didn't know it could have that great sound and beautiful color! Amelyse, you did a fantastic job. Thank you, Anna and Jan, for the wonderful experience." |
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Alec Flood,West Palm Beach, FL |
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PICTURES: Alec Flood at Gainesville Violins in July 2008. |
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By the summer of 2008, Alec had grown almost six inches and was ready for a 16-inch viola. After trying out many, he again chose a Helmut Dredner of professional quality. For more information about these fine handmade violas, click here (then scroll right down to the viola section). |
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In 2007, Alec wrote to Jan: "I would like to thank you for everything you have done. Everyone loves my Helmut Dresdner viola. They all say it has a wonderful tone. My orchestra teacher thinks highly of it and is very happy I have it. My private teacher also is very happy that I have it and also comments on it unbelievable tone. It has given me much encouragement to continue playing the viola. "During my high school audition at Dreyfoos High School the three judges were very interested in my viola and where it was from and what model it was. Even when I went for District Solo and Ensemble the judge wrote that it was as if my viola was singing and that it had a beautiful warm tone. Thank you and Anna again for all you have done for me. "I hope to see you soon again since my teacher says that I have grown and within a year I will need a bigger viola. She asked me if I could come back to see you again and I said, 'Definitely, YES!' I look forward to seeing you again very much. - Love, Alec Flood." |
| After Alec got his larger viola in July 2008, his mother, Terri Flood, wrote: "Jan, We really had a fantastic time with you. Alec saw his teacher and she said that she loves the sound and that it is a wonderful new viola. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for Alec and us. You are truly a great friend." |
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Michael RossDurban, South Africa |
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Ashley Ross, a professional clarinettist and the father of Michael Ross, Jan's young violin customer in Durban, South Africa, contacted Jan in 2007 about a full-size violin for Michael. Jan recommended that a fine violin be specifically handmade for Michael. The Krystian Schaf violin was commenced in an associated workshop of Gainesville Violins and completed by Jan in his workshop at Gainesville Violins in The Magic Forest, Gainesville, Florida, USA. The violin was modeled after the famous 1735 "D’Egville" Guarneri del Gesu. When the violin arrived in South Africa, Michael's father wrote: "You can't imagine how thrilled the young man is with his beautiful violin - he'll be performing on it for the first time in public this Wednesday (at a mass at school!) and has shown it off to all his closest buddies. The instrument is SO well suited to him. He has taken to it like it was 'made for him' (which in truth it was - at a number of levels), and the sound suits his personality very well. I sometimes wonder if the whole experience was not divinely orchestrated! Thank you, Jan. I can't thank you enough. Hopefully the pics reveal enough of our dear boy's enthusiasm. You can add him to your website as ANOTHER thrilled customer." BELOW are pictures of Michael Ross and his violin: |
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Michael's Dad wrote later that Michael had passed his violin exams with flying colors and continued: "There was a comment on the quality of Michael's tone at every piece. Must be the lovely violin! I thank you again for providing our son with such a perfect instrument. We are so blessed." [Well, Jan knows all too well that a violin does not play itself and so he congratulated young Master Michael!]
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MICHAEL ROSS WROTE: "Dear Mr Van Rooyen, Thank you so much for my wonderful violin - it is great (actually more than great)! It has a beautiful sound and is so rich and deep on the G and D strings and so bright and sweet on the A and E strings. We have taken a few pictures of me and my violin and when the light catches it you can see all the shaded parts of the violin. I would like to thank you for all the extra bits and pieces that came with the violin. I would like to thank you for my beautiful Guarneri del Gesu which I am sure I will have many happy memories with. Yours sincerely - Michael Ross, Durban, South Africa." |
| MICHAEL'S FATHER, ASHLEY ROSS, EMAILED JAN ON 7/18/2008: "Can you believe it? Exactly one year ago today, I pushed the button to buy Michael's beautiful 4/4 D'Egville copy - and what an amazing thing that was! Michael continues to make progress and his sound seems to be getting bigger and more complex with each passing week. When he's playing, his absolute enjoyment is totally obvious, and, as we noticed at the time we first got the instrument, the sound matches Michael's personality completely. Just the other day he was playing some robust piece with sforzato chords, and I was amazed at just how rich and complex the sound was - and how beautiful the instrument looked in his hands. Well done, on matching instrument and player - and you haven't even met him! We can't thank you enough." [One of Jan's aims and joys is to match a player and a violin.] |
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"All I can say is that you guys are the best in terms of quality, prices, friendliness, trialing, repairs etc. Compared to others, you guys will do the job twice as well for half the price. I remember when you let me try out that brazilwood bow during the All-State convention ... you charged a mere $60 for it and yet it played incredibly well; I let other people use it and one kid exclaimed that it played better than his $2000 bow! The pernambuco bow I just recently got from you guys is simply outstanding. I can get literally any sound and any dynamic I want from my instrument now. Thank you for the bow and all of your services." |
Orlando in 2007. |
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A TAMPA CUSTOMER OF GAINESVILLE VIOLINS EMAILED JAN AS FOLLOWS ABOUT ORLANDO APONTE: "We know Orlando very well. What a talented young man he is! He composed and conducted a piece for the Blake High School orchestra last year. I was very impressed." Go for it, Orlando! Good luck for your studies and future career! |
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 Justin whistles in admiration when he first meets his violin. |
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 Justin tries out Mozart Concerto # 4 on his new violin. |
 Komarovsky, Bach, Mendelssohn, more. |
 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in Boulder CO. |
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| JUSTIN SUTTON, from Boulder CO, needed a 7/8 violin suitable for professional performance. He commissioned Jan to make a violin for him and he and his mother flew into Gainesville in the summer of 2006 to fetch the violin. They stayed with Anna and Jan while Justin played the violin in the Russian Room of Gainesville Violins and Jan continued tweaking it until it was just right. Justin performs extensively and is a frequent competition winner. He brings the violin twice a year to Jan for service and adjustment. |
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Yun Han |
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YUN HAN (THEN 11 YEARS OLD) MOVED TO GAINESVILLE FROM TAIWAN IN 2006. SHE IMMEDIATELY BECAME PRINCIPAL CELLIST OF THE ALACHUA COUNTY YOUTH ORCHESTRA (see picture at right) AND WENT ON TO WIN THE STATEWIDE "FLORIDA AMERICAN STRING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (FLASTA)" COMPETITION, WHICH ENABLED HER TO COMPETE AT NATIONAL LEVEL. HER FATHER WROTE (email 2006): "Dear Jan, I am glad to tell you a good news. Yun won the competition and got the privilege to represent Florida to join the national competition (http://www.flasta.org/). Yun asked me to thank for your encouragement giving her the confidence to win the competition. She wrote some sentences for you as following: ' Mr. Jan is so friendly and kindly person and treats me as his granddaughter. I like him very much!' I was deeply touched by your kindness to my family, especially to my daughter. Thank you! Best regards - Jonathan." |
Yun Han (2006) |
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Yun rehearsing in the Gainesville Violins Russian Room. Yun concertrating and listening. (Pictures taken in 2006.) |
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Clay EverettBrooksville FL |
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Clay in performance |
Clay and his cello |
CLAY EVERETT got a fine Panis Angelicus 1/2-size copy of an Italian Ceruti cello from Gainesville Violins in 2007. His parents, Judith and Bob Everett, wrote (several emails): "Clay loved our visit. He was astounded at seeing Daniel work in the shop. He said he'd like to learn how to work on instruments one day. He truly appreciated the book that you gave him and he has been reading it every chance he gets. (Clay did. After the summer of 2007 he was appointed Principal Cellist of the Hernando Youth String Orchestra! Clay attends the Brooksville Chocachatti Magnet School for the Arts and Music and is a formidable FL State baseball player. Jan is VERY proud of him.) |
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Elizabeth KittsSt Petersburg FL |
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The images at the far left shows the original Violon du Diable. To the right (2 pictures) is the copy that Jan and an Associate made especially for Elizabeth Kitts in 2006. |
| Jan asked Sandy Kitts, Elizabeth's mother, to play the "Violon du Diable" at her home and make a list of aspects to be corrected or tweaked. Sandy wrote: "I played it for a couple of hours yesterday thinking of your request of telling you things that weren't quite right. Couldn't find any! It speaks so easily, resonates clearly and just has that 'melted buttery' sound. Elizabeth practiced on it last night and what I heard was a really beautiful sound." |
visit the "Workshop" and "Catalog" pages of this website, then contact Jan (see the "Contact Us" page). |
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Jacob Keith on the Gainesville Violins "Hellier" Stradivarius copy. |
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Rehearsing in the Gainesville Violins "Russian Room" |
Competing in a 2006 concerto competition |
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Concertmaster Jacob in Carnegie Hall (June 2007). In January 2007 Jacob could acquire a fine and rare famous antique violin worth $20,000.00. He chose to stay with his "Hellier", writing to Jan: "I liked the antique violin very much and probably would have bought it if only my current violin didn't have such an incredible sound. Playing on this fantastic old violin costing $20,000 really makes me appreciate the work you did on my own violin which cost $3,800. Your violins compete very well with instruments many times their value!" |
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| ALYSSA KEITH (RIGHT) is Jacob's cellist sister. In July 2007, Jacob serviced, tweaked and adjusted her school cello, "Charley", in the Gainesville Violins workshop, with advice from Daniel Muni and Jan. Alyssa wrote: "I love the new and improved Charley! It sounds so much cleaner, and the new bow is a huge improvement from what I had before. I had to force myself to stop playing and go to bed. I love it so much! I can't tell Jacob, Daniel and you 'Thank you' enough!" |  Alyssa Keithenthusiastic. |
 Alyssa waves to a friend. |
LATER IN JULY 2007 ALYSSA GOT HER OWN "EMANUEL FEUERMANN" 4/4 CELLO FROM GAINESVILLE VIOLINS, SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR HER BY JAN. SHE NAMED IT "ALADDIN" AND WROTE: "I am forever thankful for this new cello, which is my most favorite thing. Its crystal clear sound is soothing to listen to, which makes me never want to put it down. Even my brother's friends are impressed by it. I can't wait to show off 'Aladdin' at school. I cannot stop thanking you, Jan, just as I cannot stop playing!" |
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ALYSSA JOURET got her antique violin from Gainesville Violins in January 2006. Her mother, Mandie Jouret, wrote: "Alyssa absolutely loves her violin! I believe the time you spent with her picking out the 'perfect violin' for her really encouraged her to excel in her art. She is very proud of her violin and takes every opportunity to play it for anyone who will listen. She loves to tell everyone how old it is and takes very special care of it." |
 Alyssa has chosen!(At Gainesville Violins, January 2006.) |
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Jan with Alyssa
TOP/RIGHT: Troy Hicks and Alyssa Jouret at Furman University (SC) Music Camp. |
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Both TROY HICKS and ALYSSA JOURET got their violins from Gainesville Violins. In the summer of 2007, they were selected to play in the “Honors Recital” at the Suzuki Camp at Furman University. Paul and Theresa Hicks wrote: "Troy loves the violin you prepared for him and also loves the special case that you suggested. We really appreciate the personal service you afforded us and will continue to 'sing your praises' to anyone that will listen." |
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Over a period of more than 25 years, Jan has acquired a knack to match an instrument with a player. This requires time, but it is worth it. Jan did it for Alyssa Jouret and Troy Hicks (above) and they became winners! Let Jan help you too. |
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Back of Jan's "King |
| Kieron Reifsnider (ABOVE) of Jacksonville FL owns a violin made by Jan and Associates after the famous 1685 "King Maximilian Joseph" Stradivarius. It has a rich red varnish home-made by Jan, with darkened middle bouts and flanks. The tone is similarly rich. Kieron nicknamed the violin "Ferrari"; see his letter below. [CONTACT JAN if you are interested in a custom-made copy of a famous instrument. Prices vary.] |
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LEFT: Maestro Scott Gregg, conductor of the JSYO, is also Kieron's private violin teacher. |
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RIGHT: Kieron at home, happy with Jan's Strad copy. |
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FAR LEFT: Kieron and his student, Grady Galbreath (2007). LEFT: Grady with Kieron's old small-sized violin which Jan restored for him. Grady's dad, Bill Galbreath, wrote: "Jan, Thank you for everything you've done. Grady can't stop talking about his visit to your place. I'm enclosing some photos of Kieron and Grady taken later when Grady got his violin back. His eyes were huge when he opened the case! Thank you again." |
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LEFT TO RIGHT : Cassy Steptoe tries out many different violins in the Russian Room. Jan thins and French-polishes a neck while Cassy watches. Cassy is very happy with her new thin-neck Panis Angelicus Stradivarius copy. (2006.) |
The Steptoes wrote: "Thank you so much for Cassy's new violin. She played several concerts and solos this Christmas and New Year's season and did very well. Cassy likes this new violin because it has a nice, bright and happy tone to it. She also likes the deep, rich red color and one-panel back. Thank you for your patience and for making every effort to get us the right violin. Thanks also to Jacob Keith, your Tampa/St Petersburg Associate, who was also very helpful and patient during our search for a new violin. We enjoyed the historical stories Mr Jan told us about the 'Messiah' violin. It made us appreciate Cassy's violin even more." |
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In these four pictures, Ian tries out the violin, admires its front and shows off its gorgeous back. |
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The youngest and the oldest customer 2006 |
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Liam Duncan McCartney (Gainesville 2006, 2 years old) was not contented with a "cutting board violin" any more and had to get a real little 1/32-size "Antonio Vivaldi" violin of his own. He loves to hang out at Jan and Anna's workshop. He may well become a Paganini or a Stradivari one day! |
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ABOVE: Arthur Birdsall (Gainesville 2006, 96 years old) is Gainesville Violins's oldest customer. He practises and plays every day. Since he cannot come to the shop any more, Jan visits him in his room in order to service his violin regularly. Arthur also plays the keyboard (he likes the harpsichord sound and plays a lot of Scarlatti's) and composes, turning symphony movements into string quartets. |
Janna Lower |
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Professor Janna Lower has studied with Camilla Wicks, Joseph Fuchs and Nathan Milstein. She has performed throughout Europe and North America as a soloist and chamber musician and has served as concertmaster of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. Professor Lower teaches studio violin and coordinates the chamber string program at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. In October 1999, after Jan had serviced and adjusted her violin, she wrote as follows: |
| "Dear Jan, You are a life saver! We are very fortunate to have you in Gainesville, and we appreciate you so much! Best to both of you - Janna." |
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Jeanne Majors |
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VIOLINIST JEANNE MAJORS IS THE JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY'S LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER, HAVING PLAYED IN IT SINCE 1965. SHE WROTE (2005): "Jan, Thanks for your great enterprise that serves so many students and their families! Wishing you all the best - Jeanne." |
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Aaron Krosnick |
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Professor Aaron Krosnick is Distinguished Performer in Residence, Jacksonville University, FL, and Artist in Residence with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. He is a well-known violin pedagogue and performer. He wrote as follows in 2004:
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"Thanks again for the wonderful way you have treated my students. My student who is small in stature is enjoying the 7/8 violin you sold her. It was a factor in making her senior recital a success, since it solved her problem of chronic flatness due to her small hands. You also rescued my student who had the accident with her violin. She too was faced with a senior recital and your repair made it possible for her to use her instrument. It's wonderful having you there when we need you." |
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LEFT: James playing the Vitali "Chaconne" in Jacksonville in 2006. The violin is his second instrument. His primary instrument is the piano. He also loves analyzing music such as Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" and doing arrangements and transcriptions. |
RIGHT: In July 2007, James and friend, pianist Alan Clark, visited the Brevard Music Center (BMC) Music Camp in Brevard NC to experience a superb performance of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring". |
 James and Alan Clark studying the score of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" prior to its performance by the BMC orchestra. |
 James (left) and Kieron Reifsnider (in orange shirt) with friends, trying out Jan's violins in a dormitory at BMC in 2007. |
James in GNV Violins's "The Russian Room". |
Ravel "Gaspard |
James performing the Schumann piano concerto |
James sorting CD's in GNV Violins's "Russian Room". |
| JAMES WROTE (2006): "My violin is beautiful—both in sound and in appearance. It is all because of this wonderful luthier I know called Jan Hendrik van Rooyen who lives in Gainesville, FL. He did a wonderful job and I just don’t know how to thank him enough. (Any suggestions?) "My first reaction when I tried the restored violin by playing the famed Chaconne by Tommaso Vitali was, 'Wow!'… it really was, 'Wow!' It seemed as if the violin’s soul had been brought to life. If I had to compare this violin with its previous state, I would say the violin I 'had' was a terminally tired person, trying to eke out a sound, pitifully trying but to no avail. Jan has resurrected my once-half-dead violin!" [See the "Workshop" page on this website.] |
James is delighted with his restored violin (2006). |
| JAMES WROTE AGAIN IN 2007: "I was G-stringing something on my violin today and I just thought about how warm and sweet you had made it ... even Mr Krosnick commented on it when I had my first violin lesson after the last time you worked on my violin. A few weeks ago, I attacked my G-string for one of the pieces in orchestra rehearsal (Barber) and Nina Sansus [Associate Concertmaster] commented on how great it sounded - it almost growled like an African lion!" |
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Felix Chang and the Irving Clements Quartet Jacksonville FL |
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FELIX CHANG (not related to James Chang, above) is a brilliant improvising jazz violinist. He frequently performs with the other two members of the Irving Clements Quartet ... yes, it is a 3-member "quartet"! (TOP, left to right: Felix, Andrew Hanson and Jonathan Swan.) They like to play music from the 60's, 70s' and 80's, frequently at the San Marco Square Starbucks in Jacksonville, where they can be heard almost every Friday and/or Saturday night from about 6 to 11 pm. The Starbucks address is 1980 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Felix's cell-phone number is (904) 228-1192 and his email address fc_quartissimo@yahoo.com. The quartet is available for gigs. Jan is Felix's luthier (see comments below). |
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FELIX WROTE: "The violin which my brother had passed down to me was riddled with problems. I had heard of Jan's excellent work, but never got the chance to go to Gainesville and experience it firsthand. I finally went. When he presented me with my violin after about a week, I was completely blown away. Not only is his work marvelous, but his workshop and living environment are also; it suits the work he does and matches it in greatness, augmenting his work to a level unattained by most. Thank you for everything, Jan - Your good friend, Felix Chang." |
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Dan Whitman |
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Dr Daniel Whitman holds a PhD in French (Brown University, USA) and served for the US State
Department in Denmark, Spain, South Africa and Haiti. He is a keen amateur violist who has
played in orchestras
on four continents. He is co-author of the book One Step Up,
a primer
for buyers of stringed instruments. He is currently Deputy Director, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy, Africa Bureau, US Department of State. On November 20,
2004, he wrote as
follows:
"For years I have delighted in the 'ping' that Jan and Anna van Rooyen have been able to instill into my various generations of violas, in their ability to make my violas sing like angels. I would trust no one else as fully as I trust them to bestow tender care and meticulous treatment on these instruments from heaven. Moreover, as the Van Rooyens heal the violin or viola, so do they heal the owner with their love, honesty and reliability."
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Alan Solomon, |
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"Gainesville Violins provides a service to students and professionals that is hard to find anywhere else. Jan and Anna van Rooyen bring a personal warmth and interest to their high level of expertise that extends beyond the basic 'customer-dealer' relationship. They show an ongoing interest in everyone who has ever bought an instrument from them and are genuinely devoted to providing the very best they can. Many of my students are enjoying violins from Jan, ranging from the excellent "Fritz" model for beginners to very high quality instruments for advanced players."
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 LEFT: Shannon de Luca (copy of the "Hellier" Stradivarius). TOP: Jenna Trunk (Rudoulf Doetsch). |
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Manolito and Cristina de la Puerta, |
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 TOP: The Magarini violin's exquisitely carved scroll. RIGHT: Manolito at Gainesville Violins in 2005. |
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 TOP: Happy kids - Manolito and his sister Cristina, who is also a violinist. (Photo 2005.) |
Manuel de la Puerta has been a Gainesville Violins customer since he started with violin lessons. In 2005, while visiting the town of Puerto de Vega in Spain, his grand-father gave him a magnificently carved violin made by Senor Magarini in 1991 in the same town. Lucky Manolito! Manolito is very serious about his violin playing. We at Gainesville Violins are honored indeed to have him and Cristina as highly esteemed customers and friends, and to take care of their violins. |
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Debbie Noxon, |
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After Debbie bought a great-value-for-the-money Hans Otto Model 101 violin outfit (see our "Catalog" page), she wrote (email 2005): "Dear Jan,
I just wanted to thank you so very much for spending so much time educating
me this afternoon! I love my violin and am amazed I have been able to play
without my little strips of green tape!!! I hope you don't mind if I email with
questions from time to time as I move forward on this new journey. It was
such a pleasure meeting you and listening to you. Thank you so very much, and I
hope this is the beginning of a life-long acquaintance.
Take care,
Debbie Noxon." |
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Gino Souto, |
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Gino Souto plays a vintage German cello from Gainesville Violins (see the "Catalog" page on this website). Gino's father, Ramiro Souto, wrote (email May 2005): |
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Raine Guthrie, |
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| Raine got a beautiful Klier viola (see our "Catalog" page). Her mother, Wanda Guthrie, wrote (2004): "Jan and Anna, We’re so proud of Raine and know how instrumental you two have been in helping her go after her dreams. |
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Jason Ryans, |
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| JASON RYANS GOT A FINE PANIS ANGELICUS VIOLIN. HIS MOTHER, ROSLYN, WROTE (email 2005): "Jason truly loves his new violin and has used it in performances for chamber, solo and orchestral concerts. Everyone comments on what a quality and gorgeous sound the instrument has. It actually sounds like a much more expensive instrument. Having you match his ability and talent with the right instrument was invaluable. I don't want to think of what we would have ended up with by just buying a violin from the impersonal internet. Thanks for all you have done for Jason and for me." |
 Patrick (2005) |
Patrick and Stephen Ballinger, |
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| BOTH BALLINGER BROTHERS PICTURED ABOVE OWN PANIS ANGELICUS VIOLINS (SEE OUR "CATALOG" PAGE). THEIR FATHER, TOM BALLINGER, WROTE (email 2005): "I wanted to thank you again for all your time and care on Saturday. The first thing Patrick did when we got home was to play his new violin for about an hour! Christine summed it up in the car when she said that even though you have many customers, you always make us feel like we get individual attention." |
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David Outlaw, |
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 The new 4/4 and the old 3/4. |
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THE OUTLAW FAMILY WROTE (email 2005): "Dear Jan, What a wonderful |
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Justin Justice, |
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 TOP: The free book. LEFT: Justin and Jan (2005). |
 TOP: The original "Hellier" Strad pictured full-size. |
| Justin Justice got a great Panis Angelicus Stradivarius copy inspired by the decorated 1679 "Hellier" Strad (see our "Catalog" page). The violin comes with a luxury collector's edition book about the original violin. JUSTIN WROTE (email 2005): "I just want to thank you for everything you did for me. I love both my violin and the book. My violin has a superb sound and it is beautiful. I learnt a lot from the book about the history of the original Stradivarius. I appreciate all you did in finding the right instrument for me. I'm telling everyone about your fine violins and how kind you are (THANK YOU). I look foward to seeing you in the future." |
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John Henry Kruer, |
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| John Henry Kruer is a very talented customer from Jacksonville FL. In April 2005 the Amati Foundation placed a valuable rare antique French violin by Georges Chanot with John. "We are pleased to support an outstanding young performer like John Henry," said William Townsend, Chairman of the Amati Foundation, in a press release. A month later John played the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on this violin with the Jacksonville (FL) Symphony Orchestra. In June 2005 Jan worked on the violin and improved its sound significantly. (For more information about the Amati Foundation, visit our "Links" page.) |
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John Henry playing the |
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Chanot
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John testing the Chanot in the shop.
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Alachua County Youth |
| See the "Links" page on this website for pictures of the ACYO Conductor, Concertmaster, members and more! |
Hali Choi, ACYO Concert- |
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Hali Choi wrote (email 2005): "Jan, The sound and quality of your violins, whether electric or traditional, are absolutely stellar. It has been a great honor for me to have been able to use both kinds of your violins. Thank you for all that you do. I know that Gainesville is honored to have you to make, fix, and sell the best violins ever!" |
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Hali Choi currently attends the University of Florida, minoring in violin. |
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David Sheng, |
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In Gainesville,
ACYO Concert- |
Rathika Nimalendran, |
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Rathika is a music major at Wellesley College, Massachusetts. She is co-principal violist in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Symphony Orchestra and has extensive chamber music experience. |
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She was a member of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra and the Florida All-State Youth Orchestra for several years. RATHIKA WROTE (email 2005): "Jan and Anna have been wonderful since they came to Gainesville and started Gainesville Violins. My last few instruments have come from them and I have always been completely satisified. Not only is the service excellent and dependable, but they are always in the community supporting our musicians. I absolutely love my viola. Not only does it project better than most, but nothing has been compromised: the tone is warm and rich yet clear. Thank you, Jan and Anna!" |
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Nicholas and |
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Steffen and Hailee Zeichner |
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| Max Rosen | Leopold Auer |
| "The Zeichner Kids", as Jan and Anna call Steffen and Hailee
Zeichner, were among Gainesville Violins's first customers. Jan has supplied them with and guided them through their fractional-sized violins. Currently Steffen owns a magnificent 4/4 French Caussin and Hailee is on a 4/4. |
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 Hailee and Steffen. Steffen holds his 3/4 "Little Russian" Guarneri copy. |
 Hailee with her 1/2-size Marco Bartolini "Aspire" violin (2004). |
 Hailee with Eli Tragash and Julia Ruskin at a Hanukkah party (2004). |
 The young Steffen with the 3/4-size "Little Russian" Guarneri copy that Jan obtained specially for him from Germany. |
 Steffen with his violin in a play about the Holocaust (2003). |
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LEFT ROW: Steffen in 2005 with the fine and rare antique French 4/4 violin by Caussin that he inherited from his great-grandmother Eva Goldstein. Eva played in the New York 92nd Street "Y" Orchestra and had several solo performances in the 1920's on WNYC radio on this violin. |
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Radomir Cermak |
During a stint with the National Symphony Orchestra in South Africa, Czech violist and violinist Radomir Cermak wrote as follows on October 28, 1996:
| "Mister Jan, Thank you for the best viola bridge which I have ever had. Your work is not just ordinary, it has special features - Radomir." |
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Lev Gurevich |
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ABOVE: Lev, his violin |
Lev wrote: "I have used the expertise of Jan van Rooyen for several years. He was very helpful in adjusting my violin to rid it of wolf tones and improve the quality of tone, the volume and the sound in general. His help in providing fine violins to my students and making tonal adjustments has been very valuable. Jan is very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I always recommend him to my students for the adjustment and purchase of their instruments." We show five
of Lev's students and ex-students here below: |
ABOVE: Lev Gurevich, Asst Concertmaster of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. |
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1. SULIMAN TEKALLI started studying with Lev Gurevich at age four.
He made a solo debut at age 12 with the Florida Symphony
Youth
Orchestra (FSYO) playing Paganini Violin Concerto No 1.
In the same year he was invited by the nationally acclaimed
Public Radio International series “From the Top” to play Lalo’s "Symphonie Espagnole". In 2003
Suliman made a solo performance with the Orlando Philharmonic
Orchestra playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto. He was concertmaster of the FSYO for 2002-2003. He currently studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. |
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Concertmaster Suliman Tekalli |
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In April 2005, Jan |
visited with Suliman at Juilliard. |
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TOP 3 PICTURES: Suliman testing his violin after Jan tweaked it for him Suliman discussing his violin studies with Jan (2005). |
NOTE: More pictures of |
| 2. YEFIM ROMANOV immigrated to the USA from Kazakhstan (see picture, RIGHT) in 2002 and became a student of Lev Gurevich. He rushed to Gainesville Violins to buy a fine violin and finally selected a Panis Angelicus Stradivarius copy, just like Suliman Tekalli's. Yefim is a frequently heard soloist in the Orlando area. He regularly plays recitals at the Cathedral Church of St Luke. In April 2004 Yefim was the featured soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando, performing Violin Concerto No 2 in D minor by Henryk Wieniawski. |  |
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LEFT: The young Yefim Romanov choosing
a violin at Gainesville Violins (2002). RIGHT
TWO PICTURES: Yefim enjoying Gainesville Violins's
violins
at
"Federation"
in Jacksonville FL (May 2004). |
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| 3. ESTHER MURADOVA, of Russian descent, played on a small "Fritz" violin from Gainesville Violins. At the 2004 competition of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs ("State") in Jacksonville FL she was the winner of the Violin Concerto Junior III category. Esther currently studies the violin with Sergiu Schwartz. |
Esther's mother wrote (2004):
"Dear Mr van Rooyen, It is a great pleasure to inform you that my daughter Esther was selected as a winner in her category and has been nominated for the Irene Muir memorial award during recent FFMC competition. We think your wonderful violin played a crucial role in her success. I thank you very much for sending us such a good quality instrument and look forward to interacting with you in future."
LEFT: Esther after winning the concerto event
with her 3/4-size "Little Fritz" violin (May 2004).
4. QUENTIN JONES QUENTIN JONES is another student of Lev Gurevich who obtained a great Gainesville Violins instrument, namely a fine Panis Angelicus Guarneri copy. (See the "Catalog" page.) RIGHT: Quentin trying out violins at |
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| QUENTIN'S MOTHER, SUSAN JONES, WROTE (JUNE 2005): "We have good news! Quentin made it into the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra as the assistant principal 2nd violin. It's a big step for him. He has made great improvement this year thanks to Lev and your awesome violin! Thanks for being so good at what you do. You and Daniel will be our exclusive violin and bow repairmen." |
| 5. MICHAEL FERRI |
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Michael Ferri (11 years old) and his "Heifetz" violin (2006). |
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| MICHAEL FERRI (above), another student of Lev Gurevich in Orlando, plays on a copy of the 1742 "Heifetz" Guarneri del Gesu violin (above) which Jan made for him especially. Michael's mother, Vicki Lonowski, wrote: " The Heifetz violin is great! It is amazing how much Michael's violin sounds like the real one!" Michael is Concertmaster of the Florida State "Philharmonia" Youth Orchestra (2006-2007). |
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PICTURES LEFT: Michael won the Florida State Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition in 2006 playing Spohr's No 2 Violin Concerto. |
| Michael broke an E-string shortly before he had to play in the concerto competition and at the same time discovered that he was without his belt. Jan rushed to the rescue with a string and a belt, enabling Michael to win without losing his pants! |
TOP: Michael practising in the |
ABOVE: Paganini (on the screen) |
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ABOVE: Michael, Vicki and Francesca with Vicki's home-made Italian bread. (Drool!) |
| ABOVE: Typical scene at the Van Rooyens' house - lots of friends, customers, associates and apprentices gathered together for lunch (summer of 2006). |
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The Yelquin family, |
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When Anna and Jan were travelling in the Russian Federation in 2001 with two friends, they met the Yelquin family playing in the St Peterburg subways in order to raise money for a better cello for Iwan, who was playing on a plywood instrument that had cost 90 rubles (US$3.00) and with matching sound. Likewise, Daniil needed a bigger and better violin. Anastassia's violin was OK and the father, Dimitri, had an acceptable guitar. The children were very talented and well-taught, but the family, who lives in faraway Tyumen, Western Siberia (beyond the Ural mountains), did not have the means to support the children's talents. Fortunately Jan had taken a full-size violin to Russia and could give it to Daniil, who promptly launched into the Bruch violin concerto on his new violin. Back in the USA, Gainesville Violins shipped a fine Panis Angelicus cello to Iwan. The father emailed that the cello was great and that Iwan would now be able to participate in competitions. Later he reported that Iwan had won a national cello competition and was well on his way to make a career. |
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 Clockwise from the top left: 1. In the subway. 2. Anastassia, violin. 3. Dimitri, guitar. 4. Iwan, cello. |
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 Above: three Tyumen scenes, Western Siberia. |
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Colorado: |
| Marcin Arendt's violin was probably made in Germany about a hundred and fifty years ago. The violin was acquired through Marcin's grand-uncle, Antoni Goscinski, a Polish doctor who was imprisoned by the Nazis during WW II in the concentration camp Gusen (a subsidiary of Dachau). Antoni survived the camp. After he passed away his wife sent Marcin the instrument. Jan completely restored the violin for Marcin in 1998. |  |
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Marcin in 1998. |
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Marcin graduated in violin performance from Stetson University FL and is studying towards a Master's degree at the University of Colorado. In 2005 he won the Arapahoe Philharmonic Collegiate Concerto Competition and as prize performed the Karlowicz violin concerto with the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra. |
| Marcin wrote: "Jan van Rooyen has been an immense help and blessing in my progress as a musician. He entirely restored my violin in 1998 and to this day I am still discovering its potential. I have participated in numerous auditions and competitions and invariably one, if not all, of the adjudicators has asked about the origin of the instrument. They are always surprised to hear that it was not made by a well-known maker. Because I have heard the 'before and after', I attribute the unique, wonderful and powerful quality of its sound solely to Jan’s masterful work. I now live in Colorado, but I still travel to Florida for Jan’s expertise and knowledge of not only my specific instrument but of the violin in general." |
 Lake Michigan |
Michigan: Luke Wagner |
 Cracow |
 Ca 1999: Luke Wagner (left front) in Gainesville FL with Evan McCartney (right front). Evan is currently a Gainesville Violins apprentice. |
 2004: Luke Wagner in Lansing MI, very happy with his new 4/4 violin. |
 2004: Our customer Alex Kaldjian in Ann Arbor MI. |
ABOVE MIDDLE: Luke Wagner from Lansing MI bought
a "Dear Mr van Rooyen, Thank you so much Mr and Mrs van Rooyen for the wonderful violin. The violin has been extremely nice. (Not to mention rather forgiving.) It has a beautiful tone. We tried a whole lot of violins out and Gainesville Violins definitely had the best quality!!! |
TOP: Alex Kaldjian from Ann Arbor MI currently uses a 1/2-size Panis Angelicus cello from Gainesville Violins (see our "Catalog" page). |
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Marshall Rawson III, |
Fit for a President! Marshall Rawson playing for ex-President Jimmy Carter (2002). |
Marshall loved his |
antique 3/4-size |
Matt King, |
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| The young Matt King with his idol, Joshua Bell. | Matt and friend, Miriam Barfield, with Anna and Jan at Gainesville Violins. |
With Lauren Marston, also a customer. |
Matt in recital. |
Matt in ecstasy with his Amon Bilmark violin. See more on the "Italians" page |
WHEN MATT WAS BUSY SEEKING THE RIGHT VIOLIN FOR HIMSELF, HE WROTE: "I am very, very impressed with your violins compared to any others I have tried thus far. The sound is exactly what I am looking for. When I played the Panis Angelicus the forte's seemed louder and the piano's meeker and quieter. I could also make different types of sound. I could play aggressive and harsh, like the G-string sound of a Guarneri del Gesu, or I could play gentle, sweet, calm and flowing. I am seriously impressed with your violins. They are way above average. I am so excited, I can't wait to try out the ones you are still preparing for me. Great stuff!" (Jan eventually supplied Matt with a fine and rare Amon Bilmark violin - see the "Italians" page on this website.) |
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Helen Lawton, |
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 Helen Lawton (cello) with Kathie Raymond (violin) and Jan (2003). |
HELEN LAWTON IS AN OLD FRIEND AND CUSTOMER FROM OCALA FL. SHE PLAYS AND TEACHES CELLO. AFTER JAN REPAIRED A 1947 "KAY" CELLO FOR HER TO BE USED BY ONE OF HER STUDENTS, SHE WROTE (2005): "Dear Jan, The cello you repaired for me is absolutely wonderful! It speaks so quickly now. You did a fabulous job on it. Thank you so much for your expertise when it comes to repairing instruments. I am so glad Kathie brought me to your shop. It has been a wonderful experience!" |
Eliot Roske, |
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At his young age, Gainesville Violins customer Eliot Roske (he turned 7 in Fall 2004) plays
both the violin and the viola.Eliot's mother, Melissa Roske, wrote in March 2005: "Fritz Kreisler's 'Praeludium and Allegro' is his first love at the moment. He was overjoyed when Nicolette told him he could learn it. He's learned the entire Bach E major violin concerto. He's keeping his Veracini sonata and Ten Have 'Allegro Brilliant' fresh so as to have lots ready to play. He's working his way through Suzuki viola Vol. 6 and passionately loving the Bach cello suite #1 on viola. He's itching to learn the rest of the cello suites."Winners choose Gainesville Violins instruments!
Gainesville Violins's customer Eliot Roske plays both the violin and the viola. The violin is a 1/4-size "Fritz" and the viola is an 11" (2005). |
Eliot likes to practise outside on his "Fritz" violin (2005). |
Eliot practising right by the lakeside (2005). |
Eliot holding shells. Note the violin-playing finger calluses! (2005.) |
Eliot at a younger age, |
Younger Eliot and his teacher, Nicolette Solomon. |
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LEFT: Teacher Nicolette Soloman and Eliot on his 7th birthday (Fall 2004). RIGHT: 2004 Texas Sun Ray competition winners: Michael Wang, Evan Ritter and |
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Eli Tragash, |
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| Friend Michael Malles and Eli at a campfire party (2003). | Eli and Julia Ruskin at a Hanukkah party (2004). | Eli and his Gainesville Violins electric violin (2004). |
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LEFT: Eli competes at the March 2005 Sawgrass Fiddling Contest. He won the "Willie Jones Award." This award, in honor of the great Old Time
fiddler, Willie Jones, is presented by the Florida State Fiddlers Association "to a young fiddler with true
Old Time fiddle style as we reach from one generation to another." (See also our "Links" page.) RIGHT: Jan and Eli at the Sawgrass event (2005). (See our "Fiddles" page.) |
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Heifetz comes to |
No, not really. But you can imagine Jan's surprise and joy when David Rhinehart from Orlando, FL, arrived at Gainesville Violins, opened his splendid antique Hill & Sons case and took out the ex-Heifetz Stradivarius, of which he is the current owner ... (We are compelled to keep the rest of the story shrouded in mystery.)
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Dallas Suzuki Institute, Dallas TX |
Gainesville Violins has many customers in the Dallas, TX, area. Nicolette Solomon, of the Dallas Suzuki Institute, invited Jan and Anna to a Christmas concert to be played on December 20, 2004, entirely on Gainesville Violins instruments! However, some kids with other instruments also wanted to participate and were warmly welcomed. In the end there were some 30 participants, 20 of whom played on Gainesville Violins instruments. The concert was held in the home of the Salatino family in Dallas, TX (Marisa Salatino is a Gainesville Violins customer). Here are some pictures of the joyous event:
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 Anna, Nicolette and Jan. |
 Marisa with the violin cake she and her mother baked for the occasion. |
 Claire Crofford, Meaghan Gura and Kevin Platt (Bach: Minuet 1). |
 Milan Baweja, Antanas Madavapeddy-Gylys, Trent Gahm, Samuel Crofford, Jeff Sullivan and Ellie Engro (Handel: Bourree). |
 Isabella Markham (Telemann: Viola Conc in G, 3rd mvt). |
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 Jeff Caten, Andy Yu, Marisa Salatino and O'Neil Galbraith (Seitz: Conc No 2, 3rd mvt). |
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Christina Sloan acquired a new Gainesville Violins viola, adapted to it immediately and played the Prelude from Bach's Suite in C maj beautifully. |
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 Hannah Pavey, violin (Dvorak: Sonatina in G, 1st mvt). |
 Clarissa Pavey, viola (Seitz: Vla Conc in C minor). |
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 Abby Fuchs (Bach: Gavotte, unaccompanied). |
 Evan Ritter (Rieding: Conc in Hungarian style). |
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 Allen Nedley, viola (JC Bach-Casadesus: Conc in C maj, 1st mvt). |
 Allie Switala, viola (JC Bach-Casadesus: Conc in C maj, 3rd mvt). |
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 Joel Nedley (Monti: Czardas). |
 Michael Wang (Kreisler: Praeludium and Allegro). |
 Robert Switala, viola (Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata, 1st mvt). |
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 Nick Pavey (Kabalev- sky: Vln Conc in C, 3rd mvt). |
 Abby Jorden is a long-time customer, but could not be at the concert. |
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Bernard Wynne, |
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Bernard Wynne of a small town in Surrey, England, enjoys the "Europa", which is the least expensive totally European-made instrument from Gainesville Violins, a fine violin and great value for money. (Photo 2004.) |
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Yolanda Tibbe, Utrecht, |
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Abby McGrath |
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Abby McGrath's father serves in the USA military in Japan. They ordered a Gainesville Violins Marco Bartolini violin outfit (a fine and very popular Romanian violin). We shipped to an FPO (Fleet Post Office) address and the outfit was delivered in Japan within a few days (2004). Abby's grandmother (nee Aggenbach) is Dutch, from Den Helder, The Netherlands. |  |
Javier del Pilar |
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Javier bought a "Bravo!" violin. His parents
wrote (April 2005): "Thanks so much for the wonderful instrument you sent. Javier already used it to play in a recital this past weekend. Here are some pictures that you may use for your website.
Sincerely, Ruben and Alba del Pilar." |
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The Prendergast family |
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The Prendergast family saw the Gainesville Violins website, scheduled an appointment and came over to the shop. Maria had her violin thoroughly serviced and adjusted, while Jennifer bought a prize-winning 3/4-size "Fritz" violin outfit. (See our "Catalog" page.) LEFT: Maria, Larry and Jennifer Prendergast (2005). |
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James (Jamie) Ross Boston MA |
| James Ross was concertmaster of the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra. Currently he is at Boston University, Class of 2007, Violin Performance. |  |
James Ross wrote (2004): "I cannot thank you enough for the services you have provided me. I thought of you towards the beginning of the
year when I went to a violin shop to get my bow rehaired. I
could not believe how unfriendly the man was (I won't give any names). Then I
found myself thinking, 'Maybe he's not that bad, I'm just used to Jan and Anna'. (Haha, true story!) Thanks again for EVERYTHING. You've both helped me reach where I am today, and I'll be forever grateful." |
James Ross's mother, Denise Travers, wrote (2005): "When my son Jamie was in 7th grade, his violin was accidentally crushed at school. Mr. van Rooyen lent him an expensive violin while it was being repaired. He did an extraordinary job repairing Jamie's instrument and also improved the sound. He has been taking care of Jamie's instrument ever since. While it would be easy to think that Jan gives my son special treatment because of my position with the youth orchestras, it's not so. He gives every customer and their families special treatment! We are very lucky to have him looking after our children and their instruments.
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Cello Power studio |
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"Cello Power", the studio of Ed Klein and Adrienne de Noyelles, holds an annual studio recital. In 2005 there were over 20 participants of whom the overwhelming majority are Gainesville Violins customers. |
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| Ed Klein with his carbon-graphite cello. | Alyssa McCartney.Cameron Williams. | Jennifer Malnasi. |
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| Jack Lipoff. | Sam Richards. John Park. | Elisabeth Steen. |
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Linda Weltner's studio, |
LINDA WROTE (email March 2005): "Dear Jan, What a treat to have you present at our studio class the other evening ... Thank you for supplying instruments of the finest tone and craftsmanship to my studio. Sincerely, Linda Weltner." |
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•4240 NW 129th Street Gainesville, FL 32606 Phone: 352-331-5555•
Copyright ©2009 Gainesville Violins