Our Training

John and Sharon Bowen studied violin making under Master Violin Maker Tschu-Ho Lee at The Chicago School of Violin Making. We graduated in 1978 and 1979 respectively. We both served demanding post-graduate apprenticeships in Chicago violin shops to hone our repair and restoration skills.

Our Shop History

Bowen Violin Shop was established in 1981 by Sharon Bowen near the University of Chicago in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Sharon has provided sales, repairs, and rentals of violin family instruments to an expanding community of students, amateurs and professional musicians for nearly 30 years.

In 1995 we opened our downtown shop in the historic Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago's Loop. There John Bowen provides expert repair and adjustment to violin family instruments with a special emphasis on 'cello.

What We Offer

Sharon's personal service, ethics in business and pleasure in working with children, students and adults has made her popular with players of all kinds of music.

John's craftsmanship and intuitive grasp of musicians' needs have made him a sought-after resource for amateurs and professionals alike.

Our Shop

Here is a picture of our Michigan Avenue shop.