Alfaro Violins

Activities

28+
65
356
2026
Workshop

SVA Workshop

Lecture

Tone adjustment round table SVA

Lecture

How to judge a Competition lecture SVA

Exhibition

Musee de la musique competitors exhibit

Publication

The Strad Magazine contributor (Cutting the f-holes)

Award Viola First Place

First Place Workmanship SVA

Award Viola First Place

First Place Tone SVA

Award Violin Second Place

Second Place Workmanship SVA

Competition

SVA

Competition

Concours International de lutherie

2025
Lecture

What about the F-holes? Lecture VMAAI

Lecture

Antiquing lecture

Leadership

Trienal Alfredo Del Lungo judge

Publication

Radio UAQ 89.5 FM interview, El alma y la cuerda

Publication

Radio UAQ 89.5 FM interview, El mundo de los instrumentos musicales

Lecture

Escuela de laudria INBAL, workshop instructor

Leadership

ISB workmanship judge

Lecture

INBAL instruments appraiser

Lecture

SVA Winning perspective in violin making competitions

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Award Violin Gold Medal

Gold Medal Workmanship, VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Workshop

ALI Restoration Workshop

2024
Lecture

Instruments Maintenance Lecture, UNAM

Lecture

Antiquing Presentation, VMAAI

Lecture

Brevard Music Center, Luthier

Leadership

SVA President

Exhibition

AVS Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows

Publication

La Jornada Edo Mex "El laudero de Mexico" Interview

Publication

The Strad "Crackle effects" article

Publication

El Sol de Toluca "Artista multifacetico" interview

Lecture

Musee de la musique competitors exhibit

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Award

Bill Barnitz Award, Best in show, VMAAI (Viola)

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Workmanship, VMAAI

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Tone, VMAAI

Award Violin Merit

Certificate of Merit Workmanship, VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

AVS Festival

Competition

Maker Choice SVA

Convention

AFVBM Convention

Competition

Concours International de lutherie

Workshop

ALI Restoration Workshop

Workshop

SVA Making Workshop

2023
Lecture

The Magic Late Period of Guarnerius Del Gesu

Lecture

Sprayberry HS presentation "Instrument maintenance"

Lecture

Crack reinforcement

Lecture

Orquesta de Mineria Appraiser

Lecture

SVA "Tone Adjustment" presentation

Exhibition

6th Annual Contemporary American Violin and Bow Makers Exhibition

Lecture

INBAL Curso intersemestral violin making Instructor

Exhibition

Lutherie Lab Exhibit

Leadership

SVA President

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Award Violin Gold Medal

Gold Medal Workmanship, VMAAI

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Workmanship, VMAAI

Award Viola Merit

Certificate of Merit Tone, VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

Workshop

NMM Study Instruments Collection

2022
Exhibition

AVS Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows

Exhibition

VSA New Instrument Exhibit

Lecture

VSA "Craqueleure Presentation"

Lecture

Lauderos y arqueteros mexicanos en el extranjero, INBAL

Lecture

Festival Internacional de Musica de Queretaro

Lecture

SVA "Mexican Lutherie History"

Lecture

SVA "Tone adjustment"

Lecture

SVA "Antiquing workshop"

Publication

Canvas rebel interview

Exhibition

5th Annual Contemporary American Violin and Bow Makers Exhibition

Leadership

SVA President

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Award Viola First Place

First Place Playability AVS

Award

Prestige Awards; Instrument Repair Specialist of the year

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Tone SVA

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Tone SVA

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Workmanship SVA

Competition

VSA

Competition

AVS Festival & International Congress

Competition

SVA

Workshop

SVA Workshop

2021
Lecture

VSA Virtual Convention. Varnish Tales, panelist

Lecture

VMAAI Tone Judging Perspective Lecture

Lecture

VMAAI Mexican Lutherie History Lecture

Lecture

Violin History Lecture, Georgia State University

Lecture

AFVBM Players meet Makers

Lecture

AFVBM Violin Symbiosis

Publication

The Strad Magazine contributor (Varnish crackle effects)

Publication

La Psicoentrevista interview

Lecture

COMEM La lauderia en Mexico

Lecture

COMEM virtual Master Class "Set up"

Lecture

Iris Carr Restorations course translation to Spanish

Publication

Voyage ATL Interview

Publication

Shoutout Atlanta Magazine Interview

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

SVA President

Leadership

VMAAI President

Award Violin Gold Medal

Gold Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Tone VMAAI

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Workmanship VMAAI

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Workmanship SVA

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Tone SVA

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Workmanship SVA

Award Violin Bronze Medal

Bronze Medal Tone SVA

Competition

International Violin Bridge Competition

Competition

VSA Virtual

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

AFVBM

Competition

SVA

2020
Lecture

Ramira Ediciones Virtual Encuentro de Lauderos, panelist

Lecture

VSA Virtual Convention, Regional Association, panelist

Lecture

La Psicoentrevista "El Precio del Exito"

Publication

Vive cultura interview "Success is the only option" parts 1&2

Publication

The Strad Magazine contributor (Mexican Lutherie)

Lecture

Virtual Oberlin

Publication

OMO interview Episode 20

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

SVA President

Leadership

VMAAI President

Leadership

AFVBM Board of Governors

Competition

VSA, Virtual

2019
Publication

OMO interview Episodes 12 &18

Exhibition

Exhibition Soul and Shape

Lecture

VSA "Violin Making in Mexico"

Lecture

VMAAI "Study of a Violin Collection"

Lecture

VMAAI "Varnish Crackle Technique"

Lecture

Staff at Nessonvaux Music Festival

Lecture

Crackle Technique

Lecture

ACSO Guest Conductor

Lecture

SVA "Crackle Technique"

Exhibition

Participant Exhibition

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

SVA President

Leadership

VMAAI President

Leadership

AFVBM Board of Governors

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Tone VMAAI

Award Violin Merit

Certificate of Merit Tone SVA

Competition

Soul and Shape Competition

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Competition

International Violin Making Competition

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2018
Exhibition

Mittenwald Participant Exhibit

Lecture

VSA "Varnish Craquelure" presentation

Lecture

SVA "Antiquing Workshop"

Lecture

AFVBM "Players meet Makers" exhibit

Leadership

ACSO Board of Directors

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

SVA Board of Directors (President)

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors (President)

Lecture

AFVBM Players meet makers

Leadership

AFVBM Board of Governors

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Tone VMAAI

Award Viola First Place

First Place Workmanship SVA

Award Viola First Place

First Place Tone SVA

Award Violin Second Place

Second Place Workmanship SVA

Award Violin Second Place

Second Place Tone SVA

Award Violin Third Place

Third Place Workmanship

Award Violin Third Place

Third Place Tone SVA

Competition

Mittenwald Violin Making Competition

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Competition

AFVBM

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2017
Publication

Featured interview by VoyageATL

Exhibition

VSA New Instruments Exhibit

Lecture

VSA "Tone Adjustment" presentation

Leadership

VSA Convention Open Forum Coordinator

Lecture

"Set up and Tone Adjustment" Workshop

Exhibition

Sesto Fiorentino "ANLAI Strumenti Vincitori" Exhibition

Lecture

"Violin Setup and Tone judging" lecture at SVA Convention

Leadership

Judge for Violin Tone SVA Competition

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

SVA Board of Directors

Leadership

AFVBM Board of Governors

Award Violin Gold Medal

Gold Medal Workmanship and Varnish VMAAI

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Workmanship and Varnish VMAAI

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Silver Medal

Silver Medal ANLAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

ANLAI

Competition

SVA

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2016
Lecture

VSA Convention Open Forum Coordinator

Lecture

"Tone Adjustment" Lecture at "Taste the Soundscape"

Leadership

Judge for Violin Tone VMAAI Competition

Lecture

Staff at Nessonvaux Music Festival

Lecture

Appraiser Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico

Lecture

"Instrument Care Tips" Lecture at Atlanta Chamber Music Festival

Leadership

AFVBM Board of Governors

Lecture

SVA Lecture "Set Up"

Leadership

SVA Board of Directors

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Award Viola Gold Medal

Gold Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Viola Silver Medal

Silver Medal Tone VMAAI

Award Viola Merit

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2015
Publication

Interview for Radio Universidad

Lecture

“My life and work” Lecture at Escuela de Lauderia

Lecture

"To Catch a Thief" Presentation, 2015 VSA Convention

Lecture

"Jigs for scroll repair" Presentation, 2015 VSA Convention

Exhibition

AFVBM "Players meet Makers" Exhibit

Lecture

Staff at Nessonvaux Music Festival

Lecture

SVA Lecture “Tips on Restoration”

Publication

Article “How I became a Violinmaker” (VMAAI Journal)

Leadership

SVA Board of Directors

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Competition

VSA

Competition

SVA

Workshop

AFVBM Study Chi-Mei Instruments Collection

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2014
Lecture

“Antiquing” at 2014 VMAAI

Exhibition

Exhibition Festival of the Violin

Exhibition

Exhibition Soul and Shape

Exhibition

Exhibition The Art of Sound

Exhibition

AFVBM Players meet Makers Exhibition

Lecture

Atlanta Suzuki Institute, Lecture “Violin Maintenance”

Leadership

SVA Board of Directors

Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Lecture

“Set up and maintenance” Seminar at EMBA

Lecture

Lecturer at 5to Encuentro Musica Madera Lauderia

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Violin Third Place

Third Place Overall VMAAI

Award

Award Diploma (5th Place) at Soul and Shape Competition

Award Violin Merit

Merit at Art of Sound

Award

Elected member of AFVBM

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

Soul and Shape Competition

Competition

The Art of Sound Competition

Competition

AFVBM

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2013
Leadership

Atlanta Virtuosi Board of Directors

Lecture

“Carbon Fiber Rings” lecture at VSA 2013 Baltimore Convention

Lecture

“Restoration tips” lecture at VMAAI

Leadership

Playing and workmanship judge for the 2013 SVA Makers Choice Competition

Lecture

Staff at Nessonvaux Music Festival

Publication

Article “How I became a violinmaker” By Pablo Alfaro (VMAAI journal)

Lecture

Vendor at Atlanta Chamber Music Festival

Lecture

“Instrument Care” Workshop at the Arts APS Conference

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Board of Directors of Atlanta Virtuosi

Lecture

Instrument Care” lecture at Orchestra Conductors Seminar

Award Violin Silver Medal

Silver Medal Overall VMAAI

Award Violin Third Place

Third Place Workmanship SVA

Award Violin Third Place

Third Place Sound SVA

Award Viola First Place

First Place Workmanship SVA

Award Viola First Place

First Place Sound SVA

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

SVA

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2012
Lecture

“Carbon Fiber Rings” lecture at VMAAI

Lecture

Violin workshop “The Violin” at Nessonvaux Music Festival

Lecture

Violin workshop “The Violin” at Atlanta Chamber Music Festival

Publication

Article “Bridge Carving” after Pablo Alfaro’s lecture (VMAAI journal)

Publication

Article “The soul of the violin” By Pablo Alfaro (VMAAI journal)

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Board of Directors of Atlanta Virtuosi

Award Violin Merit

Merit Overall VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

The Art of Sound Competition

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2011
Lecture

“Bridge Carving” lecture at VMAAI

Lecture

Violin workshop “The Violin” at Atlanta String Mania Music Camp

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Board of Directors of Atlanta Virtuosi

Publication

Article "Neck projection" by Pablo Alfaro (VMAAI journal)

Award Viola Third Place

Third Place Overall VMAAI

Award Violin First Place

First Place for Identification of Violins

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

Pisogne Competition

Workshop

Jerry Pasewicz

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2010
Lecture

“Interesting Topics” lecture at VMAAI

Leadership

VMAAI Board of Directors

Leadership

Board of Directors of Atlanta Virtuosi

Publication

Article “A l’air” by Pablo Alfaro (VMAAI journal)

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Violin Merit

Merit Overall VMAAI

Award Violin Merit

Merit for Tone VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Workshop

Restoration Workshop (VSA)

2009
Leadership

Elected as Alternate Director for VMAAI

Publication

Article “My Bob Wallace” by Pablo Alfaro (VMAAI journal)

Lecture

“Cutting F holes from Mirecourt School” lecture at VMAAI

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Violin Champion

“Bob Wallace” Grand Champion Contest Winner Award VMAAI

Award Violin Gold Medal

Gold Medal for Tone VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

2008
Lecture

“Neck reset and Button repair” lecture at VMAAI

Publication

Member of the team to translate the article; “Divine Proportions” by Francois Denis published in The Strad Magazine on April 2009

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Workshop

Advanced topics (VSA)

2007
Lecture

“Set up” lecture at VMAAI

Lecture

Violin workshop and “Set up” lecture at the Orchestra Studies Camp at Reinhardt College

Lecture

Violin workshop and “Tone adjustment” lecture at the Animato Music Festival at Florida International University

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Competition

VMAAI

Workshop

Set up (VSA)

2006
Lecture

“Antiquing” lecture at VMAAI

Lecture

Violin workshop and “Violin making for musicians” lecture at the Animato Music Festival at Florida International University

Lecture

Violin workshop at the International Music Festival, UAP

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Viola Second Place

Second Place Overall VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

2005
Lecture

“First-aid” seminar at the Universidad Autonoma de Puebla

Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Competition

VMAAI

Workshop

Set up (VSA)

Workshop

Jerry Pasewicz

2004
Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Quartet First Place

First Place Tone VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

Competition

BVMA

Workshop

Set up (VSA)

Workshop

Hans Nebel

2003
Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Viola First Place

First Place Overall VMAAI

Award Viola Second Place

Second Place Tone VMAAI

Award Violin Merit

Merit Overall VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Workshop

Set up (VSA)

2002
Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Award Viola Second Place

Second Place Overall VMAAI

Award Violin Merit

Merit for Tone VMAAI

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

2001
Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Competition

VMAAI

2000
Leadership

Tone, workmanship and varnish judge for VMAAI competitions

Competition

VMAAI

Competition

VSA

1998
Award Merit

Merit at Concurso de Lauderia de Veracruz

Competition

Concurso de Lauderia de Veracruz

Workshop Violin

Neil K. Ertz