Lee was the first teacher and former director of the Chicago School of Violin Making
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Korean-US violin maker and educator Tschu Ho Lee died on 4 January 2024 in Chicago, IL, following a long illness. He was 91 years old.
Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1932 during the time of Japanese occupation. He trained as a violinist and sculptor and eventually merged the two interests to become a violin maker. He moved to Mittenwald, Germany in the 1960s to study at the State School of Violin Making. After graduation, he worked for Josef Kantuscher, eventually earning his Meisterbrief.
He moved to Chicago at 1970 to work for Kenneth Warren and Son, during which time the Warren family opened the Kenneth Warren and Son School of Violin Making. Lee was hired to become the teacher of that programme and in 1980 became the director of the school which is now known as the Chicago School of Violin Making. The school will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Lee was appointed director-emertus in 2003 and had an output of over 300 instruments.
Lee is survived by his wife, Hi-Ok Lee. The Lees had no children, but felt a deep connection to the generation of violin making students, which Lee trained. A memorial service for Mr. Lee is being planned for a future date.
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