Alongside directing the Wellington School of Violin Making, John Schmidt also runs weekly hands-on violin-making classes for hobbyists and enthusiasts — no professional ambitions required, just curiosity and a love of the craft.
Hobbyist Violin Classes
Weekly Sessions · Wellington
Outside of directing the Wellington School of Violin Making, John also welcomes hobbyists and enthusiasts who simply want to experience the craft of building a violin by hand — without committing to a professional, multi-year programme.
Each week, John guides a small group through the same traditional techniques used by his full-time students: wood selection, carving, purfling, arching, and varnishing — taught at a relaxed, hobbyist pace.
Whether you're a retired engineer, a weekend woodworker, or simply violin-curious, John's sessions are a welcoming way to learn a centuries-old craft alongside other enthusiasts.
The Programme
The essentials of John's ongoing hobbyist violin-making sessions.
A row of tools ready for a session, via benchspace.nz
A Look Inside
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What Students Say
"I always wanted to try lutherie without quitting my day job. John's Wednesday sessions are exactly that — patient, hands-on, and genuinely fun."
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Hobbyist student
"I'd never touched a carving gouge before my first class. John breaks everything down so it never feels overwhelming, even for a total beginner."
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Hobbyist student
"It's become the best two hours of my week. Small group, great company, and I'm slowly watching my own violin take shape."
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Hobbyist student
Ready to Join?
Sessions run every Wednesday at BenchSpace and welcome new hobbyists at any time — just get in touch to find out more.
Contact John