My violin was made in 2009 by Scott Sleider, a luthier in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. My teacher at the time, Eriks Klavins, helped pick out the wood and decide on other details, and I got to witness the entire creation process. My bow was Mr. Klavins’, and while he passed away later that year, I feel the spirit of music-making continuing on as I play. I’m honored to have an instrument from a living, local luthier, and as I grow as a musician, I feel my violin developing along with me.