Support Emanuel's Violin Making Journey

Hello again! my name is Emanuel (E#) Hill, and I am a 2nd year violin making student at the Chicago School of Violin Making. In 2023, I created a GoFundMe to pursue my dream in becoming a violin maker by attending school here in Chicago, and to my surprise, far surpassed the initial goal I had set. I was able to move from Atlanta to Chicago, get my first few tools, and cover my first year tuition. I’ve also been able to attend the previous two Violin Society of America Conventions and done extensive work in the New Instrument Exhibit, as well as Sphinx Connect in Detroit. I’ve got two violins done in the white, a ton more repairs under my belt, and I can’t wait to get through some more instruments. However, I once again need some assistance.

There are very few applicable scholarships and freelance work is hard to come by when you’re new in a city. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting two other black luthiers here in Chicago, with similar paths and stories to my own, that I’d love to see attending school with me in the near future. As with most things, the barrier to entry is mostly financial. The sentiment is the same; I’d love to see more Black luthiers in shops, catering to and tending to our musical community. A few have come out of the other two American schools, and I’d love to be potentially be one of the first to come out of Chicago, and bring my friends with me.

I’ve got a year and two terms left, a few miscellany tools to purchase, and want to help these other two luthiers (and any other black students in the future looking to become violin makers) however I can.

Thank you all for making it happen the first time; let’s make it happen again… ☮︎ ♡ ♫