Tim Bergen

Head of Repairs and Restoration

"I began working at Heinl's in the summer of 1982. After playing the violin from childhood, I became interested in the art of making instruments. I studied violinmaking and repair at the Newark (England) School of Violinmaking from 1979-82, under Maurice Bouette, Glen Collins, and Bob Payne. This vibrant school and its instructors had connections with well-known London shops, including Hill's and Beare's. This provided opportunities to see many fine instruments, observe repairs in progress, and even work for a short period in the Hill shop. I was awarded a Canada Council Arts Grant to attend my last year at Newark and graduated "with distinction" in 1982. Since then, I've had the privilege of working with many fine players and instruments in our shop at Heinl's. Some recent career highlights are the restorations of the 1729 "ex-Heath" del Gesu violin, the 1700 "Taft" Stradivarius violin, the c.1696 "Bonjour" Strad cello- all associated with the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank. In the summer of 2005, I was invited to be "luthier-in-residence" at the Stanford University Chamber Music Seminar, hosted by the St. Lawrence String Quartet. I love going to concerts, and enjoy playing many kinds of music, from classical to old-time to Irish and bluegrass."