J.R. Judd Violins was established in 1989 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania by Jeffrey R. Judd.
Now in its twenty-second year, the violin shop
continues to grow and houses over 400 older and more rare violins, violas, cellos, basses and bows
for purchase, in addition to its extensive rental program.

The violin shop serves Pennsylvania and its surrounding states, specializing in service to professional players, teachers, and students of all levels. Currently, the violin shop services ten universities and colleges and over thirteen public school string music programs. In 2002, J.R. Judd Violins was the winner of the PADESTA Distinguished Service Award.

About Jeffrey R. Judd

Violinmaker and owner of J.R. Judd Violins, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Jeff began his interest in violin making and restoration as a teenager. He was trained in the European tradition of violinmaking, working as an apprentice with Richard Menzel, a luthier, in Livingston, New Jersey.

Mr. Judd began playing the violin when he was five years of age and studied with violinists, Iona Seigel, Mora Giannini, Fred Schmidt, Dr. John Maltese, and Francis Pittock. He also studied string bass with Henry Neubert. Mr. Judd has a B.M. in Music Education with an emphasis in voice and violin from Grove City College and an M.M. in Music Education with an emphasis in double bass from Ithaca College. Mr. Judd taught and developed young string players for thirteen years in the Williamsport Area School District. Mr. Judd has given presentations at region and district festivals and at the 1999 and 2001 PMEA state conventions.

Jeff and his wife, Ann, reside in Williamsport with their two daughters, Julie and Jennifer.

About Jerry H. Lynn

Jerry H. Lynn holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Pennsylvania State University.  His violin teachers include James Lyon, Kenneth Sarch and Georgia Burch.

Jerry’s involvement in luthiery began in his mid-teens, when a visit to J.R. Judd Violins sparked an interest in the construction of bowed stringed instruments.  This interest, coupled with knowledge of tools and woodworking gained from his father and grandfathers, provided a great foundation for learning and exploring the centuries old craft of violin making and restoration. 

Attention to detail and a perfectionist drive are always present at his workbench.  Currently, Jerry is developing a reputation for fine setup work and for his ability to facilitate players’ needs from the perspective of a fellow musician. 

About Sarah K. Decker

Sarah Keely Decker is an honors graduate of the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, in Houghton, New York.  She studied under Benjamin R. King and Shirley M. Close while fulfilling her Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance.  She has also studied with Marc Lewis, former stage director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and worked with opera singer/recitalist Benita Valente at the Eastman School of Music.

Currently, Sarah teaches private voice lessons at Saint John’s School of the Arts in Williamsport, PA.  Her studio is comprised of students of all ages.  Sarah also enjoys volunteering at her home church – helping with High School youth ministry, singing with the praise band, the choir, or offering special music.  Sarah is married to Mr. Seth Decker, an English teacher at Williamsport Area High School.  She is the proud owner of two chocolate labs, Hershey and JoePa.

Sarah is completing her sixth year as the Office Manager here at J.R. Judd’s.  In charge of all things administrative, she is happy to answer your questions regarding payments, purchases, policies, the rental program, or other related items. 

About Bethany A. Fisher

Bethany Fisher is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. Splitting her educational time between Geneva College and Penn State, Bethany has studied piano with Dr. Eugene Alcalay, Gail Kusbit and Marylene Dosse.

Bethany enjoys accompanying different groups throughout Williamsport including the Williamsport children's choir, several local school choirs and the children's choir at her church. She also teaches piano lessons at Saint John's School of the Arts. Bethany is married to Karl Fisher, who is the owner of Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Company in Williamsport.

Bethany spends her time maintaining the website and working on advertisements.

About James A. Bertrand

Jim Bertrand recently retired from 33 years of service as a string teacher and orchestra director for the Williamsport Area School District. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York and a Masters of Music Degree from Ithaca College. He studied instrument repair at the Hartt School of Music. Having started bass at the age of nine, Jim has played with the Williamsport Symphony and the orchestras at Bucknell and Bloomsburg Universities. His bass teachers have included Richard Stephan and Henry Neubert. Jim is especially proud of his former students that have pursued careers in music.

Jim and his wife, Pat, live in Cogan Station, PA. They are both active in the administration and musical life of their church. They have two adult daughters. Jim's hobbies include bowling and scuba diving.

Jim is most often found at his workbench upstairs working on rental violins and violas. He also helps out in the shipping room and with trips to schools.

About Donald R. Kleese

After being discharged from the Navy in 1960, Don Kleese went to work at Avco for thirty-three years. In 1999 he retired from Avco's successor, Textron Lycoming. Don thanks the Lord for his employment at J.R. Judd Violins and is enjoying his time with fellow employees.

Don and his wife, Beverly, reside in Cogan Station, PA. They have four lovely daughters and six handsome grandchildren.

Don's detailed work can be found on the rental violins and violas that have been at his workbench.

About John Panaccio

John Panaccio is a graduate of Temple University where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz guitar performance, studying under Tom Giacabetti. He also studied classical composition with the late Joseph Castaldo at University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

In 1995 John was hired to work on stringed instruments at a local music store, and soon he developed a strong interest in instrument repair and construction. John went on to work for a fine violin shop in the Philadelphia area where he learned restoration work and had the opportunity to study great instruments. In addition to his workshop experience John apprenticed with violinmaker Robert Brode, learning to make violins.

John strives to continue learning and growing as a restorer. Stringed instruments are an area of endless fascination for him, and so he feels blessed that his vocation and hobby are one and the same.

When not working on instruments, John enjoys playing music and writing songs. He endeavors to learn to fly fish as soon as possible. However, John's favorite pastime is spending time with his family.

About Everett C. Halstead

Everett Halstead has recently retired as a missionary to Guinea, West Africa. He and his wife, Muffy, had served seven years in Africa when she was diagnosed with cancer and shortly after passed away. Planning a new future, Everett was pleasantly surprised when Jeff called with a job opening. With the love of music always being apart of his life and remembering a visit to the shop a few years earlier and thinking then that the shop would be a great place to work someday, it was easy to join the team.

Everett grew up in a family that loved music. He learned to play trumpet and would sing in church choirs. He met and married Muffy who shared his love of music and played piano. As four children were added to the family, each one soon learned how to sing their part in the family songs and would add piano, trumpet, violin and guitar as instruments learned through school years. Through the years Everett has sung in cantatas, directed choirs and now sings with a Hospice choir.

Everett now resides in Williamsport just a couple of blocks away from 5 of his 13 grandchildren.

Everett is in charge of the shipping room here at J.R. Judd's. He is also the friendly face seen during our trips to schools dropping off and picking up instruments for students.

About Lindsay C. Tate

Lindsay Tate is a graduate of Bucknell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics. Lindsay volunteers at her church - helping with youth ministry and the financial team. She also enjoys tutoring math students, reading, baking, and being outdoors.

Lindsay is learning all things administrative in our office. You might see her at the front desk, talk to her on the phone or hear from her via email.