Meet Sarah.

Sarah Bystrom, bowmaker and violin repair specialist

Sarah Bystrom first discovered her interest in making instruments while playing Irish music. She studied violin playing and Celtic fiddling with luthier John Reed in Red Wing, Minnesota. During her lessons, she became interested in violin building and repair. While still in her teens she apprenticed with John Reed and completed making two violins by the age of 17.    

She went on to graduate in 2013 from the esteemed Violin and Bow Repair program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, where she studied with Lisbeth Nelson Butler and John Reed.  After graduating, Sarah moved to Nashville, Tennessee to work for several years at Williams Fine Violins as the bow rehair and repair technician.  She began the study of bow making during this time as well as sharpening her repair skills. 

Learning to make bows under Rodney Mohr, her enthusiasm for the trade grew and she started exploring the bow-making world.  Becoming part of groups like the Violin Society of America and attending workshops through Oberlin College and Learning Trade Secrets, she furthered her skills as a maker and networked with others in her field.

Sarah now works out of her home workshop in Nashville, TN making bows and doing bow repairs and rehairs as well as instrument set up and maintenance.