Portland, Maine’s Jonathan Cooper is one of the most highly regarded violin makers in the US. His instruments are played by many professionals, including Darol Anger, Michael Doucet, Mark O’Connor, Alex Hargreaves, and Peghead Nation instructors Bruce Molsky and Chad Manning (who demos his own Cooper violin here). Jcooperviolinmaker.com

In this video, filmed while he was in the Peghead Nation studio recording a segment for Brittany Hass’s Fiddle Styles Workshop, bluegrass fiddler John Mailander demonstrates his 2005 Cooper violin, which he acquired in 2009. John is one of the most talented young fiddlers on the scene, as you can hear on his first solo album Walking Distance and in performances with Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, Molly Tuttle, and others.Of his Cooper violin John says, “I’m kind of a quiet player at times, and this fiddle really projects. So it’s a good fit for me, and it helped me get more confident.” John demonstrates the instrument in a duet performance with Brittany of Kenny Baker’s tune “Denver Belle” (which John teaches in his workshop segment). johnmailander.com

In her Fiddle Styles Workshop for Peghead Nation, Brittany hosts some of the best fiddlers on the planet, as they teach some of their favorite tunes and techniques. To learn from Brittany and her guests, enroll in the Fiddle Styles Workshop today.

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