Profile of JOHN FERWERDA

John Diedrich Ferwerda was born in Holland in 1942, in 1950 he migrated to Auckland, New Zealand
1967~1968, John studied violin making with Rudolf van Merrebach in Amsterdam

1968~1972, studied/qualified at Mittenwald School of
Violin Making
outside the school, learnt at various violin makers (Karl Sandner, Hans Klotz, Johann Stuber, and Charles Bazin) in Germany and Holland for total of 6 years
learnt bow making and re-hairing in France under Charles Bazin
in 1972, started his own violin business in Adelaide
in 1973, moved the business to Melbourne
in 1973, became a government appointed valuer
conducts classes for violin making for students wishing to learn the art of instrument making
trained 12 professional violin makers in Europe and Australia
Violin Making Society of America (VSA) Workmanship Award, USA, 1978, 1982
was an accomplished cellist at Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Konzertgebouw Orchestra and Brabants Orchestra in Holland, Reinische Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany and Innsbruck Symphony in Austria, currently plays at Zellman Orchestra
has professionally trained 16 people in the art of making, restoration, evaluation and bow maintenance both in Europe and in Australia
has made 101 instruments - violins, violas, cellos, viola da gambas, violone, viola pomposa, Appegione and 2 harpsichords.