 J.R. Judd Violins was
established in 1989 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania by Jeffrey R. Judd.
Now in its twenty-fourth year, the violin shop
continues to grow and
houses over 400 older and more rare violins, violas, cellos, basses
and bows
for purchase, in addition to its extensive rental program.
The violin shop serves Pennsylvania and its surrounding states,
specializing in service to professional players, teachers, and
students of all levels. Currently, the violin shop services twelve
universities and colleges and over sixteen public school string music
programs.
About Jeffrey R. Judd
Violinmaker and owner of J.R. Judd Violins, Williamsport,
Pennsylvania. Jeff began his interest in violin making and restoration
as a teenager. He was trained in the European tradition of
violinmaking, working as an apprentice with Richard Menzel, a luthier,
in Livingston, New Jersey.
Mr. Judd began playing the violin when he
was five years of age and studied with violinists, Iona Seigel, Mora
Giannini, Fred Schmidt, Dr. John Maltese, and Francis Pittock. He also
studied string bass with Henry Neubert. Mr. Judd has a B.M. in Music
Education with an emphasis in voice and violin from Grove City College
and an M.M. in Music Education with an emphasis in double bass from
Ithaca College. Mr. Judd taught and developed young string players for
thirteen years in the Williamsport Area School District. Mr. Judd has given
presentations at region and district festivals and at the 1999 and
2001 PMEA state conventions.
Jeff and his wife, Ann,
reside in Williamsport with their two daughters, Julie and Jennifer.
About Jerry H. Lynn
Jerry H. Lynn holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Pennsylvania State University. His violin teachers include James Lyon, Kenneth Sarch and Georgia Burch.
Jerry’s involvement in luthiery began in his mid-teens, when a visit to J.R. Judd Violins sparked an interest in the construction of bowed stringed instruments. This interest, coupled with knowledge of tools and woodworking gained from his father and grandfathers, provided a great foundation for learning and exploring the centuries old craft of violin making and restoration.
Attention to detail and a perfectionist drive are always present at his workbench. Currently, Jerry is developing a reputation for fine setup work and for his ability to facilitate players’ needs from the perspective of a fellow musician.
About Sarah K. Decker
 |
Sarah Keely Decker is a graduate of the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, New York. She studied under Benjamin R. King and Shirley M. Close while fulfilling her Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. She has also studied with Marc Lewis, former stage director of the Metropolitan Opera, and has worked with opera singer/recitalist Benita Valente at the Eastman School of Music.
Currently, Sarah teaches private voice lessons at Saint John’s School of the Arts in Williamsport, PA. Her studio is comprised of students of all ages. Sarah also enjoys volunteering at her home church – singing with the praise band, an all-female quartet Spoken For, the choir, or offering special music. Sarah is married to Mr. Seth Decker, an English teacher and football coach at Williamsport Area High School. She is the proud mother of an energetic toddler, Cadence, and of two even more energetic chocolate labs, Hershey and JoePa.
Sarah has worked as the Office Manager here at J.R. Judd’s since 2005. In charge of all things administrative, she is happy to answer your questions regarding payments, purchases, policies, the Rental program, or other related items.
About Donald R. Kleese
After being discharged from the Navy in 1960, Don Kleese went to work at Avco for thirty-three years. In 1999 he retired from Avco's successor, Textron Lycoming. Don thanks the Lord for his employment at J.R. Judd Violins and is enjoying his time with fellow employees.
Don and his wife, Beverly, reside in Cogan Station, PA. They have four lovely daughters and six handsome grandchildren.
Don's detailed work can be found on the rental violins and violas that have been at his workbench.
About John Panaccio
John Panaccio is a graduate of Temple University where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz guitar performance, studying under Tom Giacabetti. He also studied classical composition with the late Joseph Castaldo at University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
In 1995 John was hired to work on stringed instruments at a local music store, and soon he developed a strong interest in instrument repair and construction. John went on to work for a fine violin shop in the Philadelphia area where he learned restoration work and had the opportunity to study great instruments. In addition to his workshop experience John apprenticed with violinmaker Robert Brode, learning to make violins.
John strives to continue learning and growing as a restorer. Stringed instruments are an area of endless fascination for him, and so he feels blessed that his vocation and hobby are one and the same.
When not working on instruments, John enjoys playing music and writing songs. He endeavors to learn to fly fish as soon as possible. However, John's favorite pastime is spending time with his family.
About Lindsay C. Tate
Lindsay Tate is a graduate of Bucknell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics. Lindsay volunteers at her church - helping with youth ministry and the financial team. She also enjoys tutoring math students, reading, baking, and being outdoors.
Lindsay is learning all things administrative in our office. You might see her at the front desk, talk to her on the phone or hear from her via email.
About John K. Lantz
After attending Millersville University where he studied string bass with Dominick Fiore, John K. Lantz apprenticed for three years at The Chimney's School of Violin Making in Boiling Springs, PA. He created Lantz Violins, Inc in 1997 in Bethlehem, PA. John grew up in Williamsport and started playing the bass in 5th grade. He played throughout college and was active in the cover band Pillars of Society, the jazz trio After Hours, and often could be seen at dinner theaters in Lancaster County. John played in the Lehigh University Community Orchestra and the Moravian College Community Orchestra, and when his two sons both started playing the violin at age 5, he could be seen at their ensemble concerts each season! He is now playing locally, including participation in the Susquehanna Valley Chorale.
John worked for AT&T Wireless Services in retail management and staffing for 18 years but always continued building and restoring violins. His recent move to Lewisburg gave him the opportunity to concentrate on his passion and skill. After leaving AT&T John joined J.R. Judd Violins in November 2012 to work on cellos and basses.
He and his wife are renovating an 1875 farm house in East Buffalo township. Both boys still play the violin and are active in the Lewisburg Strings program. Probably the most impressive engagement he plays is the Lantz Family Strings where he plays violin, cello, or bass with his two sons, his dad, his three siblings, his niece and two nephews.
About John Radspinner
John is a 1980 graduate of Williamsport Area Community College. He went on to work at Diebold, Inc., retiring after 31 years.
John has two children, Matt and Jody, and 9 grandchildren. He and his wife Marguerite live in Loyalsock. John plays the guitar and has played in local bands since the 1960s.
John runs our shipping department and you can also find him delivering instruments to schools.
About Steve Loveland
Steve is a graduate of Penn State where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He also has a teaching certificate from Lock Haven University, and spent many years teaching delinquent/dependent young men.
Steve, his wife Carol, and their lovely daughter Stacy live in Williamsport.
Steve spends most of his time refurbishing and repairing violins, but can also be seen on the road delivering instruments to schools around the state. Steve is known around the shop for his extensive knowledge of trivia.
|
