Established in 2007, the Little Rock Violin Shop has served central Arkansas and nearby regions from its location in the MacArthur Park neighborhood, just a block from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Joe Joyner, the shop’s luthier and proprietor, recounts how his enthusiasm for string instruments took root when he joined his sixth grade public school orchestra. An avid collector by nature, his visit to a prestigious violin shop in Chicago during high school, where he encountered a Stradivarius violin for the first time, deeply inspired him.
“The exquisite beauty of the Stradivarius captivated me,” Joyner shares. “Being surrounded by such remarkable instruments ignited a passion that shaped my career aspirations. From that moment, I dreamed of working with violins.”
Today, Joyner is an accomplished violist, performing with ensembles including the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Conway Symphony Orchestra, and the Little Rock String Quartet. He also holds leadership roles on the boards of the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock and the Violin Society of America (VSA). Notably, he will co-chair the VSA’s International Violin Making Competition’s 50th anniversary in 2024.
Leveraging his extensive expertise, Joyner has built the shop into a comprehensive resource for string musicians, offering instrument repair, sales, rentals, and appraisals across a range of bowed instruments such as violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. The shop also stocks bows, cases, strings, and various accessories.
The team supporting Joyner is highly skilled and committed. Cellist and inventory manager Micah Donar oversees the rental program, while Joshua Wheeler, a highly talented violin restorer who began his apprenticeship at the shop at 15, contributes expert restoration services. Bow specialist Matthew Nicholson is renowned for the quality of his work, attracting professional musicians from Dallas, Memphis, and surrounding states for repairs.
Joyner notes, “We continually invest in training new apprentices in repair techniques. Currently, Grace Whitton, a cello student at the University of Central Arkansas, is learning with us.”
Adding a touch of charm to the shop, the beloved miniature long-haired dachshunds—Omobono and Francesco, named after Antonio Stradivarius’s sons—serve as friendly greeters. They were recently joined by Ms. Dolly Barkin’ in 2022.
Having grown up in Little Rock, Joyner recognized the local need for dedicated professional violin and bow repair. After spending seven years at the Lisle Violin Shop in Houston, he returned home to establish his own business, starting modestly with a workbench and tools.
“Violin repair and restoration are truly at the heart of what we do,” Joyner explains. “It is a specialized craft, and by focusing solely on bowed string instruments, we ensure the highest quality of care for our clients who share our passion.”
Beyond repairs and sales, the shop collaborates with schools and private instructors across Arkansas to provide beginner string players with well-made, reasonably priced rental instruments and bows capable of producing beautiful tones.
Joyner reflects on the joy of moments when musicians discover new sound capabilities at the shop. “It’s almost magical, like choosing the perfect wand as in Harry Potter, especially when a player finds the bow that truly enhances their playing. The bow is paramount; if the instrument is a musician’s voice, then the bow is the breath that makes it sing.”
Currently, the shop is expanding its operations, reorganizing its workspace to streamline processes and create a more inviting atmosphere for visitors. In response to the 2020 pandemic, it launched a new website to accommodate online sales, which have since seen significant growth. This e-commerce platform not only offers convenience but also connects string players internationally.
When not engaged with music or business, Joyner enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and golfing, a pastime he adopted during pandemic social distancing. He often shares these adventures with his wife Erica, their daughter EK, and the shop’s pets.
Looking ahead, Joyner expresses optimism about the future of the arts in Arkansas. He praises the nearby Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the Chamber Music Society’s high-caliber performers and youth outreach, and the forthcoming Arkansas Symphony Orchestra headquarters in East Village. The arrival of new ASO music director Geoffrey Robson, he believes, will further foster classical music’s growth and inspire the next generation of artists and audiences.
Amid this vibrant cultural landscape, the Little Rock Violin Shop continues to thrive, harmonizing excellence in craft, community service, and musical passion along Eleventh Street.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
