Native American Violinists
November is Native American Heritage month, a time to reflect upon the rich culture and traditions of Native Americans. To help celebrate Native American Heritage month we decided to highlight...
LIVS Blog
Thank You Letter From Long Island Cares
We at the LIVS wanted to find a way to help those most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why in May of this year we started the LIVS...
Everything You Need to Know to Make an At-Home Performing Arts Studio - By Derek Cannon
Have you always wanted to record an album or get music videos online? Maybe you're a hopeful podcaster with dreams of creating the next Serial or Welcome to Night Vale....
Charle's Rufino's Tips for Cleaning and Sterilizing Instruments
A member of the NYSSMA Task Force for Ensemble Safety recently contacted LIVS Director Charles Rufino asking about strategies for cleaning and disinfecting school instruments. Mr Rufino gave the following...
An Interview With a Music Teacher
We though it would be fun to interview a music teacher to see what teaching has been like since the shift to remote learning. The following is an interview with...
Winter is Coming.......... And So Are Dryness Cracks!
It’s that time of year again, when string instruments are most vulnerable to dryness-related damage. Wood expands and contracts with the fluctuation between humid and dry conditions. This is why string...
The Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species
We're living in a time when conservation of endangered species is of paramount importance, but it has presented some interesting challenges for luthiers. The traditional art of violin and bow...
Strings and Conservation - The International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers For Endangered Species
We're living in a time when conservation of endangered species is of paramount importance, but it has presented some interesting challenges for luthiers. The traditional art of violin and bow...
Why is My Violin Making That Sound?
“Why is my instrument making that sound?” is one of the most common questions we get here in the shop. Sound is produced by vibration and there are many different...
Gearing Up for Rental Season
Gearing Up for Rental Season It's that time of year again! "Rental Season" is upon us, which means that the workshop is about to get really busy! Rental Season is when our luthiers...
And Now For Something Completely Different: Rushad Eggleston
Recently our former coworker, David Wong, posted a video of a live performance he saw of Rushad Eggleston and it reminded me of how excited I was the first time...
"What We're Listening To:" Rebecca Clarke - Sonata for Viola and Piano
Rebecca Clarke was an English composer born in August 1886. At the age of nine, she began to play the violin, and later, during her studies at the Royal Academy...
Endre's Latest Work
The rumors are true... Endre Fischer is in the process of making a new violin!There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the last violin Endre made which was sold not...
Thomas A. Ferrara Wins 2019 Photographer of the Year Award
As you may recall, Newsday reporter Kay Blough did a special feature on our very own Charles Rufino which was published in Newsday last April. The article included many wonderful...
"What We're Listening To:" George Enescu's Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 for Orchestra
George Enescu (1881-1955) was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, and teacher. He is regarded by many as Romania’s most influential musician. He demonstrated musical ability from early on in...
What We're Listening To: Elgar Cello Concerto
Elgar's Cello Concerto: Sir Edward William Elgar (1857-1934) was an English composer who wrote pieces such as Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Enigma Variations, and The Dream of Gerontius. One of...