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Workshop of Francesco Bissolotti and sons, Cremona, November 2010. Shot Claudio Mazzolari



Su Qi was born in 1979 in Xiamen (China), and began studying the violin at the age of 6.

In 1989, when she was 10 years old, she entered the elementary division of the Shanghai Conservatory and began her studies as a professional violinist. She received her diploma from the Conservatory in 1992.

From 1992 to 1998 she attended the Fujian Conservatory, and at the same time, from 1996 to 1998, attended the Central Conservatory of Beijing, where she graduated as a professional violinist.

That same year, she entered the Academy of Beijing (Central Conservatory of Music), where she attended a four-year violin making course under the direction of Master Zheng Quan. She graduated in 2002.

On 24 August 2002, Su Qi arrived in Cremona to begin her course of study in violin making. She graduated from the International School of Violin Making School(I.P.I.A.L.L.) in 2006, under the guidance of Masters Luigi Aromatico and Daniele Scolari.

Following her diploma, she began working in the workshop of Masters Francesco Bissolotti and sons Marco Vinicio and Vincenzo Bissolotti, with whom she still actively collaborates. Under their tutelage she refined her construction technique and artistic taste, using their vast experience to deepen her knowledge of lutherie.

In 2009 she participated in courses on restoration and varnish retouching on historical instruments held by Master Andrea Ortona. In that same year she took part in courses on stringed instrument set-up and restoration held by Master Carlos Arcieri.

In 2023 she opened her own violin making workshop in Cremona, in Via Volturno 49.

As Su Qi is both a highly skilled violin maker and a violinist, she is able to unite the two disciplines in her instrument making to fully meet the needs of the most demanding musicians.

She has participated in and won prizes in the following national and international violin making competitions:
  • 2008: Gold medal in the cello category and silver medal in the viola category at the 2nd edition of the Pisogne National Competition (Italy).

  • 2010: Finalist and sixth place in the viola category at the 1st International Competition of Stringed Instruments in China, held in Beijing.

  • 2010: Second place silver medal in the professional violin category at the 4th edition of the Pisogne National Competition (Italy).

Su Qi's music