Charles W. Liu, Luthier

Charles W. Liu, Luthier

Charles W. Liu began his career studies in Beijing, China, making violins at the age of sixteen. In 1993, Charles came to the United States to receive more formal training at the Violin Making School of America. He received his Luthier degree in 1997 and afterwards began working in violin shops around the country, including Peter Prier Violins. It wasn’t long until Charles turned his attention towards opening his own shop.

In 2002, Mr. Liu established Charles W. Liu Fine Violins in order to serve the great Salt Lake Valley. Being a man dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, Charles has provided a wide variety of services in order to facilitate substantial growth in the musical world of Utah and elsewhere.

Charles has worked extensively with many schools throughout the state, including Jordan and Granite school districts, the University of Utah, the University of Southern Utah, and Brigham Young University. Charles also provides services for BYU, Hawaii.

Charles W. Liu Fine Violins supports many local and national programs aimed at expanding the opportunities of both the old and young. While we work with the Suzuki Institute every year, we are also beginning a New Horizons Orchestra for adults who have little to no prior string experience. It is a wonderful way to introduce music to those who wish they had learned when they were young or to those who are just looking for a new hobby.

The love of violins (and related instruments) has always been the primary interest and motivation at Charles W. Liu Fine Violins. We believe that it is because of this passion that we are receiving such positive attention from the musical community. It is only natural that we should begin to explore ways of using our resources to repay that community in some way for the support we have received. We feel that it is a natural progression to give the finest young players in the world a chance to visit a place that appreciates their efforts and, in the process, help the competitors have an experience that they will treasure throughout their lives.

Out of this philosophy, the Stradivarius International Violin Competition was born. We wish to discover the greatest violin talents of tomorrow. We take pleasure in the musical accomplishment of our youth throughout the world, and we wish to provide everyone with an opportunity to discover these talents as early as possible.