Meet the Cardiff Violins Team | Violin Specialists in Cardiff
Joseph Roach – Director & Luthier
Joe began playing the violin at the age of 4 and made his first visit to Cardiff Violins in 1996, after which he became a long time support of the shop. He was offered a Saturday job in 2008 at the age of 17 and went on to study violin at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. After finishing his studies in 2015, he began a full time apprenticeship in the workshop and has supplemented his learning through the British Violin Making Association. He has an obsessive eye for detail and particularly prides himself on set-ups and gaining the best quality tone from an instrument.
Daniel King – Director & Luthier
Dan began his life as a luthier at Cardiff Violins in 2007 at the age of 19, entering the family business, training under his father Chris King and good friend Mick Quinn.
Dan feels a strong connection to the history of the instruments he repairs, and a duty to preserve the makers legacy, while honouring the immense trust bestowed upon a luthier by their patrons.
In the near 2 decades Dan has been in the workshop, he has had the pleasure of working on thousands of instruments, and discussing hundreds of action films with Mick and Joe.
Michael Quinn – Luthier
Mick began his training at the Chicago School of Violin Making in the 1980’s. He later moved back to the UK where he continued his training at the Welsh School of Violin Making, which was based in Abertridwr.
During his time at the school, one of his teachers was the founder of Cardiff Violins, Chris King. Showing great potential as a luthier, Mick was offered a chance to come and work with Chris at Cardiff Violins, which at the time was based in the Douglas centre in Cardiff Bay.
Over the years Mick has been the longest serving member of staff and most significant contributor to a continuous service of high quality repair services.
He most enjoys an involved cello restoration paired with a good audiobook.
Ellie Zuntz – Administrator & Sales (Cello)
Ellie joined the team in Summer 2023 after achieving her Masters from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She is primarily a baroque cellist but also plays the bass viol, performing alongside friends in Ensemble Ordinario.
Cath Jenkins – Administrator & Sales (Violin/Viola)
Cath is a violist from South Wales. She studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and went on to complete a PGCE in secondary music education and an MA in Arts Management. Cath performed as a freelance violist along side her studies, and now enjoys performing as a member of Cardiff Philharmonic orchestra.