The Spirit of Vermont in Every Instrument: Marcus Bretto Violins

Nestled in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, violin and viola maker Marcus Bretto brings the state’s natural beauty and quiet grace into every instrument he crafts. Having spent a decade refining his skills at Vermont Violins after graduating from the North Bennet Street School in Boston, Bretto has cultivated a deep connection to both his craft and the land that surrounds him. His instruments are not merely tools for music—they are living reflections of Vermont’s forests, mountains, and seasons.

Much of Bretto’s inspiration begins with his materials. Whenever possible, he sources local Vermont woods—maple and spruce harvested responsibly from the state’s lush forests—to form the foundation of his violins and violas. These tonewoods, aged by the region’s crisp winters and warm summers, give his instruments a resonance that feels both grounded and ethereal. Every grain tells a story of the mountain winds, the stillness of frozen lakes, and the rebirth of spring.

But beyond materials, it is Vermont’s spirit of simplicity and authenticity that defines Marcus Bretto’s work. Each carving, curve, and varnish layer is shaped by an artist who finds joy in the rhythm of the seasons and the melodies of the hills. Bretto often says that his goal is to build instruments that sound like “the songs the mountains would sing if they had strings.”

In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, Marcus Bretto’s violins and violas stand as tributes to craftsmanship, nature, and the harmony between human hands and the land. Through his artistry, Vermont’s scenic beauty continues to sing—resonating in concert halls, classrooms, and hearts around the world.