Bellwood Violin - Stephen Bacon

Stephen Bacon came to Ashland, Oregon, in 1979 to perform with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show musicians. He fell in love with Southern Oregon and came back, making recorders for a number of years before his previous work in restoration came to fruition in the form of a string instrument repair business. He has owned Bellwood Violin for over twenty years with great joy and success.

Stephen began music lessons in third grade, playing trumpet. Later he studied voice, flute, tuba, recorder, cornetto, viola da gamba, and bansuri among many other instruments.

His formal education includes a music degree from El Camino College in Southern California, formal independent studies with an emphasis in the theory and construction of historic instruments from Cal State in Domingues Hills, Extended studies at USC Isomata, UCLA, UC Riverside, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, and the Ali Akbar School of Music.

Stephen began working with, making and repairing musical instruments at the age of seventeen, in his grandfather's shop. From ages 16 thru 24 he served an apprenticeship in the bicycle trade with Ted Ernst. His training in instrument repair consists of college courses, and minor mentoring by a series of masters, including Rod Cameron (Baroque flute maker). His inspiration in violin work has been nurtured by Herb Myers, Joseph Grubauch and David Kerr. A few years back Stephen completed restoration of a lute from 1583.

He has served on the board of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon for the past eight years. Recently he has played baroque trumpet in the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra and has served as an instructor for the SOU Collegium.

Stephen is the great-grandson of Edward R. Bacon, who was a grain baron, accomplished violinist, and owner of the violin shop of John Hornsteiner in the early 1900s. Hornsteiner has been referred to as the great teacher of the American school of violin makers. Stephen's grandfather, John W. Bacon, was a physics professor and inventor. His father, Richard, was an engineer, and his mother, Boney, was an artist and musician.