Pierre Schryer grew up in a family of violin players, training in classical music and learning the Canadian fiddle tradition. The art of lutherie came into his life when he was 10 years old, visiting his Uncle Fernand in Quebec and eventually observing his older brother Raymond, in his early teens, learning  and working the craft . His brother eventually earned a seat at George Heinl's prestigious violin shop in Toronto. At 14 years of age, Pierre purchased with his fiddle competition earnings, a 3/4 size violin made by Steve Martinko (Master Instrument Maker at George Heinl & Co.) During these years he excelled in his studies and earned High School honours in Arts, Music and Math. He was honoured "valedictorian" in his final year at Lakeway Technical and Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie. He then pursued University studies in Architecture (1987-88) and Industrial Design (1988-92) at Carleton University in Ottawa. After experiencing University life for a time, the yearning to fulfill more of his own creative impulses emerged, resulting in combining his 3 strengths: Art, Music and Math. At twenty-four years of age, Pierre moved to Pointe-au-Chêne Quebec to study violin making with his uncle Fernand Schryer. In 1993 Pierre started his official  2-year apprenticeship with his brother Raymond at Schryer Violin Workshop in Hilton Beach, Ontario. Raymond and the Schryer Violin Workshop have since gained international recognition and exposure while exploring the challenges and rewards of the art of lutherie.

Certificate of Achievement reads:
Pierre Schryer has successfully completed two years of apprenticeship with Schryer Violin Workshop Inc. in violin making and restoration under the direction of Raymond Schryer
July 22, 1995

Currently, Pierre operates his own violin workshop from his home in Kakabeka Falls, ON. In between managing his performance and touring career, Pierre enjoys pursuing his interest and fascination with lutherie, repairing and restoring violins and other stringed instruments in his workshop.   

biography: Raymond Schryer

Raymond Schryer has become a leader in his field, having been recognized with gold medals from international violin making competitions. The pinnacle of his career to date is winning the Gold Medal for his Cello in October 2003 at the Triennale Internazionale in Cremona, Italy.

Raymond has been an active member of Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers D'Arts and a long time member of the Oberlin Group of Violin Makers the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. Raymond's passion for making has led him to research many aspects of violin making. He was one of eight makers collaborating with musicians at the first Amiata Summit held in Tuscany in 2004.

violins

Violin : Pierre Schryer Violin, 1994
Description:  Stradivarius 'model'  handmade by Pierre Schryer
Handcrafted in Hilton Beach, Canada
Two-piece back of flamed maple with ribs to match
Well-flamed maple neck
Two piece top of medium grain spruce
Varnish is shaded red brown
Fittings of ebony with white pin and collar (made in France)

Label Reads: Violin Maker - Pierre Schryer   Hilton Beach   Canada   1994

Overall Length: 23 "
Length of Body: 14 "
Middle: 4 3/8 "
Upper Bouts: 6 1/2 "
Lower Bouts: 8 1/8 "