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

Zoran Stilin , cellist and violin maker , is a native of Zagreb , Croatia . After completing his studies at the Music Academy of Zagreb (Valter Despalj) he continued his education in Switzerland (Michael Flaksman) , and later at the University of Arizona (Gordon Epperson and Peter Rejto) . Mr. Stilin is a prize winner of the former Yugoslavia National Cello Competition . He performed as a soloist with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra , Chamber Orchestra “Gaudeamus”, Baden-Baden Symphony Orchestra , Zagreb Academy Symphony Orchestra , Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra , and University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra . He has been a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra since 1989 , and is an active solo and chamber musician .

Zoran Stilin studied violin making and restoration with Mr. Karl Roy (Mittenwald , Germany) , one of the world’s leading authorities in the field . Since 1992 , Mr. Stilin has owned and operated a retail and repair/restoration violin shop in Tucson , Arizona . Over the years he has won numerous awards for his violins ,violas, and cellos . In the year of 2006 and 2016 , Mr Stilin received from the Violin Makers Association of Arizona International , the Bob Wallace Grand Champion Memorial Award in violin making . Also , in 2022 he was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Tone for his cello at the Violin Society of America’s 24th International Competition held in California . Zoran has always felt extremely lucky to be able to enjoy , and combine his strongest passions - cello performance with instruments making !

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