Bruno Bourhis was born in Painboeuf, France on June 4, 1956.
Following his initial training in Rennes, France, Mr. Bourhis moved to Cremona to work under D. Palmer. In 1976 he established himself in Saint-Brieuc where he undertook numerous restorations and continued his research on 16th and 17th century varnishes. He also completed some modern instruments modeled after Stradivarius, Guarneri and Lupot.
In 1978 he moved to London where he collaborated with Adam Whone and Martin Godlenan on instrument making and restoration.
He returned to France in 1980 to the city of Nantes which is near Paris. In addition to his making and restoration efforts, he translated, in collaboration with Evelyne Castelli, the French edition of the famous book by Italian luthier Simone Sacconi on, The Secrets of Stradivari.
Mr. Bourhis' viola making has won him a first prize in the prestigious Maurice Vieux competition.
His shop is currently located near the Conservatoire National
in Nantes where he continues to serve as string instrument maker,
restorer and expert.