Athulya Monica Gehrig

luthier, pre-concert speaker

Athulya Monica Gehrig’s musical journey began with recorder and ukulele in primary school, until the day her teacher arrived with a cello in a blue velvet case. That moment changed everything. She took up the cello at age eight, and by thirteen had built her first violin under the guidance of a luthier. Athulya’s passion led her to the Geigenbauschule in Brienz, Switzerland, which admitted only two students per year. After graduating, she combined her love of travel with her craft, working with Jean Yves Matter in Lisbon before returning to Zurich, where she spent over two decades at music houses Jecklin and Music Hug.

Orcas Island has become Athulya’s home, where she is drawn to local materials. Her red cedar and redwood instruments are immersed in the waters of the Salish Sea, absorbing the spirit of this extraordinary place into their wood. For more information, visit salishseaviolin.com.