Michael Doran graduated from the Violin Making School of America, where he studied under Charles Woolf and Peter Prier. Michael has the distinction of finishing the coursework of the four year program in three years. Michael has received several awards in the Violin Society of America’s violin making competition in recognition of his work. These include a Gold Medal for Cello, a Silver Medal for Cello Tone, and Certificates of Merit for Violin and Cello Tone. He has also served as Guest Examiner for graduating students at the Violin Making School of America, and has also participated in the Oberlin College Violin Making Workshop, a unique experience where the finest makers from the world over share their wealth of knowledge while they work side by side.

Stamped “1341” to the fingerboard, this violin by Michael Doran well represents modern American making, demonstrating both precision and grace, imbued with characterful stylizations to the most nuanced of details. It features a beautiful one piece back of tight irregular flame measuring 355mm in length, with matching ribs and a simpler headstock, with tight even-grained spruce for the table; warm tones of golden yellow and an earthy brown over a perfected ground, evenly shaded, and meticulously antiqued. Focused sound, a bright bead of color, with flexibility and a springy quality to the resistance that is simply delightful to push and manipulate.