Bring Luthier Training to Trinidad!

On a porch in Trinidad, Dionne Smith is cutting a violin bridge while Akil Patrick glues seams on a double bass.   Parrots fly overhead and the breeze carries the scent of cocoa trees and lemon grass.  

This is luthier education in Trinidad.

The beautiful island of Trinidad has a history rich in music education.  However, there are no trained luthiers on Trinidad or any of the surrounding Islands to repair and maintain the instruments in the programs.



Five years ago,  Caitlyn Kamminga ,  University of Trinidad and Tobago , First Citizens United and Luthiers without Borders (LSF-USA), came together to create a luthier training progam.

After five years in the luthier program, Dionne Smith and Akil Patrick are being offered an exciting opportunity to do a six week internship at two violin shops in the United States. 

Dionne and Akil will come to Atlanta, GA to study at Huthmaker Violins , and then travel to Maryland to spend several weeks interning at Potter Violins .  

Dionne and Akils' trip requires $3,000 apiece. They have already raised $2,000 each through recitals and work projects. 

Will you please help them reach their final goal?