Dawne Haddad makes cellos. Cellos are her passion and it was chance - or destiny - that led her on this path.

Equipped with a master’s degree in physics, she was involved in nuclear power technology in France. While there, she went to Cremona for a short visit which ended up stretching over 13 years. For it was here that she discovered the vibrant and fascinating art of violin making.

In 1978 she enrolled at the school of violin making in Cremona, where she studied under respected maestro Francesco Bissolotti for four years.

She obtained her diploma in 1982 and then studied instrument restoration for two years under the guidance of Bruce Carlson. Since graduating from the school, she has made numerous violins, violas and cellos.

For several years she has concentrated on cellos. Dawne’s more than 60 cellos are played worldwide, for example in the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Dawne worked in Cremona until her return to South Africa in 1991. She now lives and works in Marina da Gama near Cape Town where she also offers highly qualified advice and repair services for violins, violas and, of course, cellos.

South African cellists Marian Lewin and Polina Burdukova are proud owners of Dawne’s cellos.

Published 12 May 2012