Yann Besson, a French national, born in 1976, started his apprenticeship as a violin maker at the French National Violin Making School of Mirecourt in 1991. After graduating in 1996 with the rarely given distinction, Yann worked in a number of workshops across the world.
Following training with renowned companies in France and Hong Kong he chose to settle at a leading London workshop, Frederick Phelps ltd, where he restored fine violins, violas and cellos for 7 years.
Whilst working at Phelps, Yann never lost his enthusiasm for
studying the classic school of violin making. This prompted him to
develop his own personal style of making
and
eventually led to him setting up his own full-time viola making
business. His violas are now played by international artists.