John Kirk, Luthier

John Kirk began playing the cello at the age of 10. He progressed into college graduating with a Master of Music from Boston University in cello performance studying under George Neikrug. He then traveled to Paris where he studied with Nadia Boulanger and continued playing his cello throughout Europe. After his travels, he thought he might try his hand at making his own cello. After all, he had many years of engineering studies before switching to music and thought making his own cello would be good use of his acquired knowledge. He apprenticed himself to several makers and even sourced his first instruments from spruce trees out of the Beartooth Mountains. This began his journey to becoming the prolific Montana instrument maker he is today. He has produced several hundred instruments (violins, violas, cellos), maximizing the sound of each instrument he touches. He has recently focused on upper level modern cellos, since that is his passion. Each cello is meticulously handled as each one has its own character. John works diligently to highlight the potential of every instrument. For further information or to purchase/commission a John Kirk instrument, contact us.