Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Tan Chin Seng is Malaysia’s first professional violin maker. Over the past decade, he has earned international accolades. The field is still little-known in Southeast Asia, but now, Tan mentors a new generation of violin makers.
Traditionally, this job is associated with Italy and other parts of Europe.
The craft has now spread globally, with thriving communities in East Asia.
Tan was a computer science graduate who used to help his family with their food business and also co-owned a music school. His path to violin-making started in China, on a trip to restore a violin. Curiosity about the instrument’s construction led him to master maker Han Zhao Sheng.
“After completing the first violin, I knew this craft was for me,” Tan said.
