Vickie - Owner
Vickie's violin career began in 1985 by assisting in violin and bow repairs being done in the family's workshop located in their back yard garage. As time and knowledge progressed, she became involved in customer service, bookkeeping, and inventory control. She eventually found herself giving up a 23 year insurance career to take full time interest in the violin trade. What started out as a hobby to Vickie, became V.A. Hill Fine Strings Ltd., Calgary's largest and best selection violin shop.
Vickie's extensive knowledge of violin construction and restoration along with her dedication to precise set up and repair technique provides the basis for her demands of excellence in shop standards. With this knowledge Vickie has been able to hand pick only the highest of skilled professionals that share or exceed her vision.
Robert - General Manager
Robert's background comes via 32 years of property assessment with the City of Calgary. This has provided him extensive experience in dealing with the public and an understanding of the importance of providing excellence in customer service.
With retirement, came the time to pursue his passion for playing the fiddle and what better location than a violin shop? Although a self taught fiddle player, Robert has attended numerous fiddle camps and workshops and plays most fiddle styles heard in the Calgary area with a repertoire of Irish, Blue Grass, American and Canadian fiddle tunes.
As a long time customer of V.A. Hills Fine Strings Ltd., he has a good understanding of the instruments for sale and the services we provide. He enjoys helping players of all genres and skill levels pick out the violin, bow or accessory that works best.
Gardening, Mexico, blue grass jams and 2 grandchildren fill much of Robert's
leisure time.
Natanael - Luthier
Nat began playing violin at age 3. At age 9 was enrolled at the university level of study at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki for underage gifted children.
For the next
11 years, he played in various chamber groups as a soloist and sat in with many professional orchestras. When Natanael's focus turned to the construction and repair of violins,
he attended and received his degree, in crafting Baroque string instruments, from the
prestigious Newark School of Violin Making in Nottinghamshire, England where he received his degree majoring in Baroque string instruments. He also graduated from of the bow making and restoration course presented by master bow maker, Jan Kudanowski, at the
Cambridge Violin Workshop. Natanael has worked as a teacher to students of all levels, a private luthier, and as an associate in many of Europe's fine violin shops. We here at V.A. Hill Fine Strings Ltd. are proud
to have Natanael as a team member. His repairs and knowledge of the violin and other string instruments are exceptional in every respect!
Aurelie - Luthier
Aurelie was born and raised in the city of Nancy, Lorraine, France. Her music background began at age 11 with
the violin but transferred over to cello at age 18. Following her formal schooling in France, Aurelie completed
the four year program at the Newark School of Violinmaking, Nottinghamshire, England. In addition to many repair
and restoration projects both large and small scale, Aurelie has made three violins and one cello of her own.
She has also studied the craft of bow making in France and has made five bows.
In her spare time, Aurelie's interest turns to drawing and art.
Bert - Bow Maker
Robert (Bert) Jackson is our main bow man at V.A Hill Fine Strings Ltd. His training was received at the Victoria Conservatory under the gold medal winning bow master, Michael Vann. Bert has taken the repair and restoration courses as well as the more advanced bow making course. His forthcoming plans include additional courses offered by another medal winning maker, Michael Salchow. Bert's custom made bows are currently for sale in our shop. Bert is the proud owner of an extensive collection of reference books pertaining to the making and restoration of fine bows as well books referencing the violin family of instruments.
Maria - Sales/Customer Support
After completing her studies at the University of Calgary, Maria acquired her affiliation
with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in both Piano and Violin. Maria has performed throughout Canada, the United States,
and Europe. As a prominent educator, clinician, and adjudicator, Maria continues to make a valuable and ongoing contribution to cultural life in Alberta. Maria's long time
dream of opening a music studio became a reality in 2007 when she opened up The Crescendo School of Music.
Maria has been with V.A. Hill Fine Strings Ltd.
since 2003. Her patience, knowledge and love of the violin are assets every customer cannot help but appreciate!
Nadine - Sales/Customer Support
Nadine was born and raised in South Africa, where at an early age she exhibited extrodinary musical talents. She came to Canada in 2005, and is currently
completing her degree in classical vocal performance at Mount Royal Conservatory. Nadine currently sings professionally with many Calgary Opera and Symphonic groups,
chamber choruses, and lends her talents as a studio session vocalist for various artists in and around Calgary. Nadine loves working at V.A. Hill Fine Strings Ltd. for her enjoyment of the musicians she meets in the shop as well as the interaction with people of the Calgary music community.
Josefine - Bookkeeping and Accounts
Josephine was born and raised in Europe. She made Calgary her home several years ago and eventually attended
the University of Calgary where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Josephine has a broad work experience and after some time channeled all her knowledge as well as taking
further courses into becomming a bookkeeper and tax preparer. She loves to work with numbers and does a great
job in keeping the books in shape.