About the Maker
Born in 1947 in Meriden, CT, Arthur Toman began playing the violin at an early age, and after graduating from Tufts University in 1969, taught violin viola and cello as a member of the Vermont State String Project. In 1975, Toman trained at the Violin Making School of America. He later apprenticed with René Morel at the shop of Jacques Français in New York City, then opened his own workshop in Mt. Vernon, NY in 1982. In 1986, he moved his shop to Newton, MA where is made and restored violins, violas, and celli, and also taught violin making at the North Bennet Street School in Boston. Toman's instruments have won numerous awards for tone and workmanship at international violin making competitions and are played by professionals worldwide. He was a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.