Folk Arts - Master Artist - Henry Meisner

Henry Meisner's violins have received over thirty awards for the fineness of their tone-- the criteria for which violin makers and players are ardently striving. His skills and commitment have been sharpened by his father's tutelage and several apprenticeships. Meisner's shop in Port Townsend will be a studio where he will teach his apprentice, Karis Nills of Port Orchard.

They will begin with selecting trees with the best wood, and then cutting, carving, and shaping it carefully to produce the best sounding and looking instrument. They will then varnish and adjust the instrument and market it.

Mills' great grandfather was a violin maker and she aspires to continue the family tradition through this apprenticeship and by seeking further study with master luthiers.