Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins | Chicago Violin Sales and Restoration

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About

South Salon Reception area Cello heads Selection of bows Stefan Hersh Owners in South Salon Workshop Restoration in process Bow work Rehairing a bow Trying cellos View from west windows Facade - 11 East Adams Building entrance

Staff Bios

Stefan Hersh

Stefan HershFounder of Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins as well as Midwest String Rentals, Stefan Hersh brings a unique confluence of skills to his role as president of the companies: As a violinist he has held key positions in major orchestras such as the Minnesota Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony. As a chamber musician he has performed nationally as a member of the Callisto Ensemble, the Chicago String Quartet and at numerous music festivals. As a pedagogue he has served as Associate Professor of violin at DePaul and Roosevelt Universities and has given master classes throughout the United States.

Stefan Hersh’s involvement in the string instrument trade has paralleled his performing and teaching careers. From international wholesaler, to managing partner of Hersh Consulting founded in 1998, Stefan has variously been involved with almost all aspects of the string instrument trade.


Julian Hersh

Julian HershA co-founder of Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins and partner in Midwest String Rentals, Julian Hersh has worked as a violin dealer in the string instrument trade for over 20 years. During that time he has been involved in a wide range of transactions worldwide, ranging from quality French and German instruments to the finest classical Italian masterpieces. In addition to his activities as a violin dealer Julian regularly writes and lectures about classical Italian instruments. His writings have appeared in various publications including The Strad magazine and the Cozio Carteggio.

Concurrent to his involvement with fine string instruments Julian has sustained a performing career, playing throughout the United States as well in Europe and Asia. As a founding member of the Jupiter Trio he won the Gold Medal at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and was the recipient of the Samuel Sanders Collaborative Artist Award for a CD of trios by Beethoven and Shostakovich released on the Bridge Records label. Julian has served on the faculty of various institutions including the DePaul School of Music and Roosevelt University.


Michael Darnton

Michael DarntonMichael Darnton, head of the instrument workshop, is a Chicago violin maker and co-founder of Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins and Midwest String Rentals. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his violins as well as his expertise on—and extensive writings about—classical violin making techniques, instrument setup, and adjustment. His articles in the journal American Lutherie are referenced in shops throughout the world, and his online postings on these topics have been widely read.

In addition to his work as a violin maker and restorer, Michael performs setups and adjustments for numerous professional performers and supervises the setups on all shop instruments. Over the last decade Michael has gained a reputation for conducting intensive summer violin making workshops that are attended by both amateur and professional makers and restorers from around the US and from as far away as Mexico, England, Australia, and Hong Kong.


Juli Hudgins

Juli HudginsAs accounts administrator (office manager), Juli Hudgins brings practicality and accountability to the assembly of musicians and creative folk who make up Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins and Midwest String Rentals. Prior to joining Darnton & Hersh, Juli spent twenty years in the Chicago post-production community where she fine-tuned her client relations and job monitoring skills. As a producer, she is most comfortable working in a creative environment where she can lend her experience and support to both clients and her own team. Darnton & Hersh provides just that environment. Since joining the company in 2007, Juli has grown to appreciate the art and history of the fine instrument world and looks forward to helping her colleagues remain a respected resource for musicians and collectors worldwide.


Roberta Freier

Roberta FreierRoberta Freier handles the front desk at Darnton & Hersh/Midwest String Rentals and is usually the first person visitors or callers will encounter. Roberta is an accomplished violinist and violin teacher who performed with Minnesota Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic prior to moving to Chicago in 1995. Today, in addition to assisting with daily office duties at Darnton & Hersh and Midwest String Rentals, she performs regularly with the Chicago Philharmonic and Broadway in Chicago. As a musician herself, Roberta enjoys interacting with all who come into the shop but especially enjoys working with the families who rent instruments from Midwest String Rentals.

Gallery of Fine Instruments

Stradivari waists Visit the Gallery to find in-depth articles with photographs, highlighting some of the noteworthy and/or unusual instruments that Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins has handled.

Business Hours

Monday through Friday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Other hours by appointment

At this time, we are open by appointment only. Please call or use the contact form to let us know how we can assist with your instrument needs.

Events at D&H

Concerts and other events that formerly would have been held in the Darnton & Hersh Salon are now under the auspices of a new not-for-profit music incubator organization, Guarneri Hall NFP. Guarneri Hall is located on the third floor of the same building where Darnton & Hersh is located, in Chicago's Loop.

If you would like to be informed of Guarneri Hall events, head on over to their website to subscribe and receive notifications of concerts and other exciting events!

The Informed Player

Darnton Hersh logo photo

What you should know about:

  • Care and maintenance of your stringed instrument
  • The instrument checkup

Visit Darnton & Hersh

11 East Adams, Suite 1450
Chicago, IL 60603
312.566.0429
Directions and Contact

Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Other hours by appointment

Soundpost Online

Violin Scrolls Visit Soundpost Online, an archive of articles published from 2000 through 2006, geared to string players, connoisseurs, and makers (external website).

Looking for MSR?

Young Cellist Visit the Midwest String Rentals website to find out about our outstanding student rental instruments: violins, violas, and cellos.

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