David Kerr - Owner
David Kerr opened the violin shop in 1976. Was a founding member of the Portland Baroque Orchestra in 1984. Co-founder of The Luthier's Library.
[email protected]
Don Overstreet - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Graduated from The Violin Making School of America in 1982 and has been a maker, restorer, and repairer of instruments since then. Joined the shop in 2003.
[email protected]
Michael Judge - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Started playing viola at age five and attended Oberlin's Conservatory of Music, where he studied viola performance. Photographs instruments for the shop and The Luthier's Library. Joined the shop in 2000.
[email protected]
Darren Freeman - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Worked at the shop part time during high school. Graduated from the University of Oregon and wrote for newspapers for a few years before returning to the shop full time in 2006 to restore and make instruments.
[email protected]
Andy Emert - Instrument Repair, Sales
Music and education degrees from Portland State University and Western Oregon University. Won the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest and Festival and teaches at music camps. Joined the shop in 2001.
[email protected]
Jenelle Steele- Bow Repair
Joined the shop in 2020 specializing in bow restoration. Previously worked for Jerry Pasewicz at Triangle Strings in North Carolina. Co-organized the Oberlin Bow Restoration program from 2015-2023. Published articles in The Strad and Strings Magazine. Graduated Cum Laude from the Violin Making School of America in 2014, and earned a B.A. in Studio Art from St. Olaf College in 2003.
[email protected]
Tee McDonald - Business Manager
Has worked in business administration for 30 years and joined the shop in 2007. Sings with the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir.
[email protected]
Esther Shim - Sales
Studied violin with Kathryn Gray and piano with Sylvia Killman. Attended DePauw University in Indiana for Violin Performance. Joined Kerr Violin Shop in 2011. Subs with the Oregon Symphony and plays in the Northwest Piano Trio.
[email protected]
Florence Dezieux- Rental Manager
Joined the shop in 2016 and enjoys working with new renters of all ages. Plays the folk harp as an amateur.
[email protected]
Cory Jameson- Sales
Worked at a violin shop in Minneapolis before moving to Oregon. Attended the University of Minnesota for violin performance and English. Joined the shop in 2023.
[email protected]
David Kerr opened the violin shop in 1976. Was a founding member of the Portland Baroque Orchestra in 1984. Co-founder of The Luthier's Library.
[email protected]
Don Overstreet - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Graduated from The Violin Making School of America in 1982 and has been a maker, restorer, and repairer of instruments since then. Joined the shop in 2003.
[email protected]
Michael Judge - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Started playing viola at age five and attended Oberlin's Conservatory of Music, where he studied viola performance. Photographs instruments for the shop and The Luthier's Library. Joined the shop in 2000.
[email protected]
Darren Freeman - Instrument Repair/Restoration
Worked at the shop part time during high school. Graduated from the University of Oregon and wrote for newspapers for a few years before returning to the shop full time in 2006 to restore and make instruments.
[email protected]
Andy Emert - Instrument Repair, Sales
Music and education degrees from Portland State University and Western Oregon University. Won the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest and Festival and teaches at music camps. Joined the shop in 2001.
[email protected]
Jenelle Steele- Bow Repair
Joined the shop in 2020 specializing in bow restoration. Previously worked for Jerry Pasewicz at Triangle Strings in North Carolina. Co-organized the Oberlin Bow Restoration program from 2015-2023. Published articles in The Strad and Strings Magazine. Graduated Cum Laude from the Violin Making School of America in 2014, and earned a B.A. in Studio Art from St. Olaf College in 2003.
[email protected]
Tee McDonald - Business Manager
Has worked in business administration for 30 years and joined the shop in 2007. Sings with the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir.
[email protected]
Esther Shim - Sales
Studied violin with Kathryn Gray and piano with Sylvia Killman. Attended DePauw University in Indiana for Violin Performance. Joined Kerr Violin Shop in 2011. Subs with the Oregon Symphony and plays in the Northwest Piano Trio.
[email protected]
Florence Dezieux- Rental Manager
Joined the shop in 2016 and enjoys working with new renters of all ages. Plays the folk harp as an amateur.
[email protected]
Cory Jameson- Sales
Worked at a violin shop in Minneapolis before moving to Oregon. Attended the University of Minnesota for violin performance and English. Joined the shop in 2023.
[email protected]