Ryan Soltis

Ryan L. Soltis is a professional violinmaker who has been creating custom violins, violas, and cellos since 2000. A graduate of the Violin Making School of America, Ryan worked in the violin making studio of David Folland and studied under Samuel Zygmuntowicz, his primary mentor and inspiration.

His instruments are known for their rich and beautiful color of sound and ease of play and are played in symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world.

“My new violin by Ryan Soltis, freely modeled after a Guarneri del Gesu, has a rich, dark tone, clarity and power. It’s a perfect complement to the brighter sound of my 1686 Stradivarius and my 2002 Strad copy by Samuel Zygmuntowicz. I look forward to continuing my relationship with this important new instrument, which, incidentally, is extremely beautiful from the visual point of view.”

– Eugene Drucker, violinist and founding member of the Emerson String Quartet

Awards

From the Violin Society of America:

Silver Medal for Tone, Violin, 2018

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship, Violin, 2016

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship, Viola, 2016

Certificate of Merit for Tone, Viola, 2014

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship, Viola, 2014

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship, Violin, 2014

Silver Medal for Workmanship, Violin, 2012

Certificate of Workmanship, Viola, 2012

Certificate of Merit for Tone, Violin, 2006

Certificate of Merit for Workmanship, Cello, 2004

 

IN THE MAKING

Ryan is working on a violin specifically made for our 2019 exhibition. Follow our social media for updates on his instrument.