Dereck Coons is a seasoned luthier with over 20 years of experience. He began his journey in 1996 at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, where he studied violin making under Program Director Thomas Sparks and classical guitar performance with Petar Jancovic. Dereck excelled in the program, building customized instruments for faculty and students. He also served as a Teaching Assistant in the violin making program, mentoring luthiers-in-training. After Indiana University, Dereck apprenticed for three years at Casa del Sol Violin Shop in Indianapolis, honing his skills in stringed instrument repairs and restorations under Master Luthier Al Stancel. Dereck’s passion for luthiery took him to the United Kingdom, where he collaborated with musicians for two years before returning to the US to become the primary luthier at Atlantic Strings for over seven years. In 2013, Dereck co-founded Violin Shop Tampa. The bustling shop in a growing city provided an ideal environment for a successful business while allowing him to focus on his primary passion: making new instruments. In 2022, he received a certificate for tone in his first violin-making competition. After a decade of business ownership, Dereck decided to focus solely on instrument making and stepped down as president of Violin Shop Tampa. Relocating to central Kentucky, Dereck found the perfect home and workshop to continue his craft. He has since taken a position at Old Town Violins, where his extensive experience allows him to offer valuable advice and expertise to both clients and staff while dedicating most of his time to making new instruments.