This instrument is part of our 7th annual Contemporary American Makers Exhibition, 2024

Theodore Skreko’s interest in violin making began at the early age of fourteen.
Art, music and science was instilled in him at an early age, his mother was a full time artist, kept her studio in the home. His father a microbiologist was an audiophile and had a passion for tropical fish. It was this incredible hands on mixture of visual and structural art, critical listening and basic chemistry that ultimately lead to Skreko’s first apprenticeship in instrument making at age fourteen with Indianapolis luthier Kalon Watkins.
Skreko knew instantly that this was his path and while in high school worked for two other violin shops before being accepted into the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City, Utah. Skreko spent four years in Utah at the school studying under Charles Woolf and having the opportunity to study the finest instruments. Skreko also studied restoration with Boyd Paulson and Bowmaking with Michael Vann.
In 2003 Skreko and fellow classmate Chris Ulbricht graduated from school and together started Indianapolis Violins in Skreko’s home town. After 16 years of building a business, Skreko left Indianapolis Violins to focus solely on violin making.
Theodore now shares a beautiful home studio with his wife Sofia Vettori where they both build violins, violas and cellos next to each other.
Theodore’s violin-making process is strongly influenced by Italian tradition built with modern performance in mind and with his own unique twist. His favorite violins to build are modeled after late period Guarneri del Gesu, “G” form Stradivari, Santo Serafin and Skreko’s own highly successful personal model. Violas are inspired by Gasparo da Salò and the Guarneri family. Cellos are inspired by the finest Venetian and Cremonese makers such as Montagnana and Stradivari.

Theodore Skreko instruments have been awarded the following awards at the Violin Society of America violin making competitions:
2004 certificate of merit for violin tone
2008 silver medal viola tone
2010 silver medal viola tone
2012 certificate of merit violin tone
2018 certificate of merit viola tone
2022 certificate of merit viola craftsmanship

Additionally Skreko was awarded the special prize at the 2012 Art of Sound International Competition for the “Most Creative” violin after entering the first violin made on his personal model.
Theodore has regularly attended the Oberlin Violin Makers workshop since 2008.
Theodore Skreko instruments are highly prized by musicians for their strong and accessible sound, excellent playability and feel, and the lovely, patinated look of an old friend.
Theodore spends his free time with his amazing and silly blended family, loves playing electric guitar and designing guitar effects pedals, working on his 20 year old Mazda Miata, building special tools for violin making, endlessly searching for tone wood and traveling.

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