Luthiers (makers and repairers of stringed instruments) joined the Mzansi Philharmonic to build an instrument on location with the Mzansi Philharmonic. This exciting project, which was open to the public for viewing in each city, culminates in a finished violin which will remain the property of the Mzansi Philharmonic Endowment Trust and be awarded on semi-permanent loan to a deserving candidates.

In addition to the instrument making, the luthier team made time available for one-on-one instrument consultations with South African string players. During these sessions, the luthiers were able to work on small instrument adjustments, and provide keen insight into instrument care and producing optimal sound.

The luthiers are led by award-winning Antoine Gourdon, who is joined by his two colleagues Mathilde Baulin and Alina Ehret. Antoine Gourdon was born in Nantes (France) and currently lives in Newark-on-Trent (UK) teaching at the international Newark School of Violin Making. In 2022, he co-founded The Workshop – Newark – with luthiers John-Francis Wright and Carlos Libreros Rios. In 2023 he co-founded the Collaborative Instrument Making Exchange (CIME) with his friend and colleague Paul Gosling.