VIOLIN VIRTUOSITY: “This is a full-service violin shop, including restoration, appraisals, acquisitions, new violins, and rentals. I make and restore violins and also continue to perform.” Jarek Powichrowski, owner of Princeton Violins, LLC in Kingston, looks forward to sharing information about violins with his customers.

Not only can Jarek Powichrowski produce beautiful music on the violin, he also restores, repairs, and makes the instrument.

Owner of Princeton Violins LLC at 4444 Main Street (Route 27) in Kingston, Mr. Powichrowski is eager to share his expertise with area musicians and music lovers.

“This is an upscale violin shop. I specialize in and carry fine instruments from contemporary violin makers, also Italian and French violins from the 18th and 19th centuries.”

Mr. Powichrowski, who was born and grew up in Poland, began studying the violin before he was 10. He loved it right away. “I wanted to play very much. I had been fascinated by a little violin in the display window. And I was also very interested in how the violin worked.”

Master of Music

Jarek studied at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, earning a Master of Music degree. During this time, he was also chosen to perform with Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra in New Orleans.

After studying at the Summer Academy Mozarteum in Salzburg, he later auditioned for noted violinist Professor Lewis Kaplan of the Julliard School of Music in New York. Jarek was given a full scholarship, arranged by Professor Kaplan, to study with him at the Mannes School of Music at the New School in New York, where he earned his second Master of Music degree.

Jarek then went on to study with Professor Kaplan at the Julliard School in the Advanced Certificate in Performance program. He performed two seasons with the Bowdin Musical Festival in Brunswick, Maine, and he also participated in master classes with some of the world’s finest violinists.

In 1991, Mr. Powichrowski toured the Far East with recitals and master classes in Malaysia and Japan. He also gave concerts in New York City.

Mr. Powichrowski has not only played major violin concerts with orchestra, but he also enjoys playing smaller works, especially by Polish composers.

As time went on, his interest began to focus on restoring and making violins. As he says, “I wanted to know everything about the violin. In 2003, in New York, I worked with a French violin maker focusing on restoration. Then, I began to think I could also make quality violins. I went to Cremona, Italy to work with a private tutor, and I made violins under his guidance. Sometimes, people think the greatest violins were made long ago, but I say the ‘Golden Age’ of violin-making is today!

Many Secrets

“I learned many secrets during my studies in Cremona, and have been a luthier (one who makes stringed instruments) for over 10 years. I encourage people to come in and try these beautiful Italian violins and see how they are made. I will happily divulge these secrets to passionate musicians!”

Mr. Powichrowski came to Lawrenceville in 2005, where he has given concerts. “I wanted to be near Princeton. I believed this would be a good place for my business, and I have learned that many people have very fine violins here. Some need restoration and repair, and now people do not have to go to New York or Philadelphia for this work.”

Mr. Powichrowski’s workshop is at the back of the store, where he does his restoration work and where he makes new violins. He uses spruce, willow, and maple for his violins. As he explains, “Spruce is used for the top of the violin, and maple for the back and the scroll. The characteristics of maple is that it is very hard wood. Spruce is closer to soft wood, but is incredibly durable. I use willow for the block and lining.  It is very strong and light.”

Mr. Powichrowski points out that very few tools are used to make a violin. “The tools are the same as those used 500 years ago: files, gougers, scrapers, planes and the most important tool is the square.”

It is incredibly painstaking work, and he says it can take more than 200 hours just for the gouging and carving. Completing the work from start to finish may take up to six months.

Of course, strings are essential, and Mr. Powichrowski notes that string-making has evolved. “Originally, it was gut, but now it’s synthetic material. I especially like the strings from Evah Pirazzi.”

Small Violins

Violas and cellos are also available at the shop as well as small violins for children. “Children can start as young as three, although five or six is more typical. There are a lot of talented kids. I enjoy setting up instruments for children. They need a good violin to start with.

“Also, if someone says they can’t have a good sound from a small violin, it’s a lie. Sound adjustment is very important, and it’s my specialty. Sometimes, musicians come in with a violin and they’re looking for a better one, but often it just needs a sound adjustment.”

A variety of accessories, including strings, chin rests, bows, and more, is also available at the store. A rental program is offered, with violins at $20 or $30 per month. “You will find my sales prices lower than those in New York or Philadelphia,” says Mr. Powichrowski.

“I very much enjoy making violins and talking with musicians and people who love music,” he continues. “Because I am a musician, I enjoy working with musicians and talking with them about the instrument. I do very dedicated work for musicians of all ages. And I enjoy advising people. The client receives very personalized attention and service here.

“I am also very encouraged. I have clients from all over — even Australia! I look forward to having even more customers — both professional musicians and others who just love music and want to play the violin. While I don’t provide lessons, I gladly help with instrument selection and advise about what may work best for the client. I also have a bulletin board where teachers can leave class and concert information. I want to become part of the local music community.”

Princeton Violins is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (609) 683-0005. Website: princetonviolins.com.