Welcome at Charlotte De Ley instrumentbuilder

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Being the child of two professional musicians, music was all around me growing up. At the age of four I started taking violin lessons and eventually graduated at the SAMWD Lier in 2010. Through the years my musical interests developed towards vocal music which led me to be a part of the children’s choir of the Flemish Opera which later on turned into an education focusing on classical vocal and (even later) jazz repertoire. Through my musical background I came into contact with musical instrumentmaking and started my studies at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent.

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Since 2011 I have been putting my heart and soul in the practice of musical instrumentmaking. A short while after becoming a Vocatio laureate in 2018 and receiving a grant that enabled me to acquire decent tools and machinery I started my own business as a self-employed luthier. Being a violinist myself, my primary interest was violinmaking, but in recent years lutemaking has taken a prominent place in the workshop. After receiving my master’s degree in musical instrumentmaking at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, I started a specific lutemaking course

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The violins and lutes that I build are all based on historical models and are entirely made by hand, fit to the needs of the musician. I select all of my wood with the greatest care and attention and build every instrument from A to Z in my own workshop. Requests regarding choice of wood, roses or tuning pegs can be discussed. Prices mentioned on the website do not include the price of a case or softbag. A bag or case can be ordered for you or you can ask my advice on where to look for one.