West Branch International Music Festival and Academy July 18 thru the 31st.

Michael Sheppard-Pianist. Another of the many musicians/instructors attending this years event.

Mechanicsburg, PA- Master violin maker Scott W. Hershey has been selected “Luthier in Residence” for the 2010 West Branch International Music Festival and Academy, July 18th through August 1^st in Hancock, NY.

With the magnificent Catskill Mountains as a backdrop, the West Branch International Music Festival and Academy brings together an internationally recognized faculty of artists and teachers and talented students for a unique, immersive experience. Talented young musicians will be exposed to world-class festival performances, individual lessons, seminars, masterclasses and chamber music coaching over the two-week session.

As Luthier in Residence, Hershey will be available for on-sight services including bow rehairing, seam closing, bridge and sound post cutting and adjustment, and spot retouching as well as other repairs. Known for his multi-layered, brush-applied spirit varnish, taught to him in Beubenreuth, Germany by master violin maker Gottfried Raabs, Hershey will also offer a representative selection of his fine hand-crafted instruments for trial and consideration during the festival.

An award-winning member of the Violin Society of America, Hershey has crafted 122 instruments to date, including instrument commissions and repairs for premier instrumentalist such as Xiao Dong Wang, Netanel Draiblate, Peter Sirotin, Orlando Wells, Cheung Chau and Odin Rathnam. Most recently, the story of Hershey’s reproduction of Odin Rathnam’s 1755 Bartolomeo Calvarolla violin was featured in Central PA Magazine, November 2009.

“Scott Hershey comes to us with 28 years of experience as a luthier,” cites Odin Rathnam, the festival’s Artistic Director. “It is his high level of expertise and craftsmanship that made him the clear choice for this event.”

For more information on the West Branch International Music Festival and Academy, please visit: thewestbranchfestival.org. For further information on violin maker Scott W. Hershey, visit hersheyviolins.com.