Peter Paul Prier was born in Germany in 1942. He began playing the violin at seven years of age. Pursuing his love for the instrument, he entered the Violin Making School in Mittenwald, Germany. He studied under the guidance of Alouis Hornsteiner, Paul Seckendorf, and Leo Aschauer, and worked in the shop of Walter Hamma in Stuttgart, Germany.

In 1960 after graduating from the school, he immigrated to the United States to work under Ludwig Aschauer at Pearce Music Company in Salt Lake City, Utah. From 1961 to 1964 Peter played with the Utah Symphony. He ended his full-time participation in the symphony when he was drafted into the military. After his service he returned to the symphony for seven concert engagements in Europe and South America, performing and caring for the instruments in the string section. Then, in 1965, he opened his own violin shop in Salt Lake City.

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In 1972 he established the Violin Making School of America, many graduates of which have opened their own premier shops all over the world. In 2004, Peter opened the Salt Lake City Recital Hall as a venue for up-and-coming musicians. "The Sounding Tree", an unprecedented violin making documentary, was produced by Peter Prier in 1996. In 1997 he made "String Stress", a video teaching simple at home repairs. In 2010 he completed "When Trees Sing", an innovative fifteen-disc DVD series for instructional violin making.

Peter Prier was a member of the World-renowned Entente International des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers D’Art, of the Verband Deutscher Geigenbauer, and is a founding member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and of the American Society of Violin and Bow Makers.

Peter Prier has constructed 160 violins, 17 violas, 29 cellos, 2 basses, and 3 guitars of classical design. World renowned musicians, Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Joseph Silverstein, and Daniel Heifetz as well as many others play on Peter Paul Prier instruments.

Today we are proud to continue the legacy of quality craftsmanship that Peter Prier established. We have the privilege of helping all kinds of musicians find their perfect instrument and bow, from young children to some of the world’s most elite players. Each instrument and bow we sell is set up to professional standards for maximum sound quality and playability. We are pleased to to sell instruments made by students at the Violin Making School of America and distinguished graduates of the school as well as fine instruments from around the world, including works of the great Cremonese masters.

We are honored to be a premier dealer of JonPaul Bows and Archet Bows which was founded right next door. These high quality American made carbon composite and pernambuco wood bows are sought out by musicians around the world. In addition, we have an extensive collection of bows ranging from quality student bows to bows made by some of the world’s greatest archetiers.

Our unique location, situated between the Violin Making School of America and JonPaul Bows gives customers the unique opportunity to purchase the perfect violin and bow made on the same street!