Girardin Fortin Petermann, Luthiers
Our atelier in Neuchatel
Girardin Fortin Petermann, Luthiers is respected worldwide as one of the leading ateliers for new making. The addition of maker Monica Fortin and of experienced dealer Alan Petermann, in 2018, has broadened the workshops ability to offer incredibly fine antique and modern instruments as well as the finest and most meticulous tonal adjustments. Together Girardin, Fortin, and Petermann are able to offer a range of services for all levels and ages of players.
Born in an artist’s family, his mother a pianist and his father a sculptor, Philippe Girardin started playing piano and violin at the age of six. In 1981 he graduated from the Violinmaking School of Cremona, Italy. Since opening his wokshop in Neuchâtel he has devoted his time to the fundamental research on the acoustics of violin.
Member of the VSA (USA) and SVGB (CH), he won the following rewards:
– 1983 Laureate (cello) , Louis Spohr Competition, Kassel, Germany
– 2008 Silver Medal (violin) , VSA Competition, USA
– 2008 Certificate of Merit for Tone (viola) , VSA Competition, USA
– 2010 Gold Medal (violin, copy of antique) , Pisogne Competition, Italy
– 2010 1st Prize for acoustics (violin), Pisogne Competiton, Italy
– 2010 Jury’s Special Prize for acoustics and varnish (violin, author’s copy), Pisogne Competition, Italy
Alan specializes in the acquisition of violins and bows as well as tonal adjustments. He has been directly involved in the sale of instruments by Guarneri, Stradivari, Guadagnini, Vuillaume, Pressenda, and many others. Alan has been able to deliver multiple world record sales for his clients.
Born in the United States, Alan began studying the violin at the age of ten. He was accepted to The University of North Carolina School for the Arts where he studied with Sarah Johnson.
After school and playing professionally, he joined the staff of A. Cavallo Violins in Omaha, Nebraska as the sales manager for the shop. While at A. Cavallo Violins, Alan studied repair and violin making with Mark Womack. He was then approached by Potter Violins to become the sales manager of their shop.
– Alan Petermann
Monica focuses on the creation of violins, violas, and cellos. She is a member of The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.
She was born in Cuba and began her musical and violin education at the age of seven. After making her first three instruments under the tutelage of European trained Mexican Luthiers, she decided to switch her focus from violin playing to violin making, and in 2003, she was accepted to join the École Internationale de Lutherie de Mirecourt.
When she finished her studies in Mirecourt she began working at L’Atelier Meteny (Brussels, Belgium) with violin maker Pascal Gilis. In 2011, Monica moved to USA, and worked for several renowned violin makers, among them, Larry Wilkie in Connecticut and Michael Fischer in California. She established herself in the Washington DC Area in 2013 working part time at Potter Violins and part time in her own violin shop, where she dedicated most of her time to new instrument making and sound adjustments.
– Gold Medal (Violin Copy) 2022, Mittenwald International Violinmaking Competition
– Monica Fortin