Matthew Noykos

Matthew Noykos, co-owner of Grand Rapids Violins, is an award-winning instrument builder and restorer and a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.

Matthew has a Certificate of Lutherie from the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City, as well as a Bachelor’s of Music from Grand Valley State University and a Master’s of Music in performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Matthew spent a number of years working for Jerry Pasewicz in Raleigh, North Carolina. There he carried out a wide variety of advanced restorations and also spent a great deal of time working on sound adjustments with Jerry, who received his education in the workshop of René Morel of New York.  Matthew also had the honor of serving a bow-making apprenticeship with Jerry.

In recent years, Matthew has garnered a reputation for exacting work and high standards among his clientele and colleagues. He is constantly striving for excellence in his craft and continues to work closely with colleagues across the globe, through organizations such as the Violin Society of America and the Oberlin Violin Making and Restoration Workshops.

​Having focused more on cello in recent years, Matthew now considers himself mostly a cellist, and he also plays piano, organ, and violin. He is currently a member of the Heritage Hill String Quartet. When not in the shop, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sonja, and kids, Lucia and Theo.