Crafting Music.
Protecting Our Forests.
Vermont Violins and V. Richelieu both represent more than a violin shop and a luthiery — we stand for stewardship practice. Under the leadership of Kathy Reilly, every instrument we craft honours both the artistry of the violin tradition and the irreplaceable ecosystems that make tonewood possible.
KATHY REILLY
Governer - The Alliance International & Member - The Violin Society of America
Kathy Reilly has devoted her career to the intersection of acoustic excellence and environmental responsibility. As one of the owners of Vermont Violins and V. Richelieu, the company sources tonewoods with meticulous care — tracing every piece of spruce, maple, and ebony through verified, legal, and sustainable supply chains.
Kathy's commitment extends well beyond the workshop. Her active membership in two internationally respected organisations reflects her belief that luthiers bear a collective duty to the forests that give their instruments voice.
Organisational Memberships
The Alliance International
Founded in 1950 to preserve traditional craftsmanship, the International Society of Violin and Bow Makers (EILA) launched the Alliance for Endangered Species in 2018 to address critical shortages of historic materials like pernambuco, ebony, and ivory. As environmental regulations tighten, the Alliance—now a global nonprofit network of makers, musicians, and suppliers—coordinates international fundraising and conservation efforts to protect both natural resources and the future of fine instrument making.
Violin Society of America (VSA)
The premier professional association for violin makers, restorers, and dealers in North America, promoting the highest standards of craft, ethics, and material sourcing in lutherie.
Alliance International Presentations
Education & Advocacy
To support global compliance and education, we are pleased to offer our presentations. These presentations address the most urgent threats to tonewood sustainability. Available for download in three languages. These sessions cover critical topics for the modern luthier and musician.
Our Sustainability Commitment
Why FSC Certification Matters to Vermont Violins and V. Richelieu
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the global gold standard for responsible forest management. For a luthiery, it is both an ethical obligation and a professional imperative.
As a dedicated member of both the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species and the Violin Society of America (VSA), Kathy Reilly has positioned Vermont Violins and V. Richelieu instruments as a global leader in sustainable lutherie. By achieving the industry’s first full FSC® certification for their V. Richelieu™ line, the shop ensures that every instrument—from Swiss spruce tops to Bigleaf Maple backs—is traced through a verified, ethical chain of custody. This commitment extends to the pioneering use of GaiaTone and Sonowood, high-performance alternatives that eliminate the need for endangered ebony without compromising acoustic excellence.
Through her leadership on the VSA Board of Governors and the Alliance, Kathy advocates for the preservation of rare woods like Pernambuco and the adaptation of the trade to a changing climate. Vermont Violins actively navigates the complex landscape of international regulations, including the Lacey Act and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), to combat illegal logging and protect the "cultural treasures" of the violin family. By integrating these environmental ethics into the core of their business, Vermont Violins ensures that the music made today supports a healthy planet for the next seven generations.