Born and raised in the Benning family workshop, fourth-generation luthier Nathan Benning crafted his first violin at the age of 13. As the son of esteemed violinmaker Eric Benning, grandson of noted luthiers Hans and Nancy Benning, and great-grandson of renowned bass craftsman Paul Toenniges, Nathan’s passion for violinmaking and restoration began early, starting with whittling on pieces of scrap wood.
From 2017 to 2018, Nathan attended the Hans Nebel Violin Restoration course in Massachusetts. That same year, he studied bow repair and restoration with Lynn Hannings in New Hampshire and Ole Kanestrom in Port Townsend, WA. Since 2018, Nathan has frequently attended the Oberlin Restoration workshops in Ohio. In 2024, he further honed his skills under Jan Strick and Pierre Guillaume at Maison Bernard in Brussels.
Nathan serves top level musicians throughout Southern California and has also helped repair instruments for underprivileged children in Mexico. Away from the bench, Nathan enjoys mountain biking, dirt bike riding, and playing soccer in a pickup league. His dedication to the art of lutherie and his commitment to his craft continue to build upon his family’s legacy with exceptional skill and passion.
