Stanley Kiernoziak learned to craft string instruments at the Technical College of Violin Making in Nowy Targ, Poland and moved to Chicago to work with William Harris Lee & Company in 1989, working in close association with renowned violin makers William Whedbee and Tetsuo Matsuda. 

Mr. Kiernoziak’s instruments are characterized by a warm tonal quality with both focus and complexity, and characteristically strong projection. He has been the recipient of many awards including certificates won for tone at numerous Violin Society of America (VSA) conventions for violin, viola, and cello. In 2010, Stanley was awarded a VSA certificate for tone in the quartet competition.

Today, he is one of the most prolific contemporary makers of the viola. His instruments have been played in ensembles around the world including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Danish Opera, the United States Army Band, the Juilliard String Quartet, and the Terra String Quartet to name a few. Musicians playing on his instruments have placed in the finals and/or won 1st – 3rd prizes at major competitions such as the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, Primrose International Viola Competition, Banff International String Quartet Competition, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

In June 2022, Stanley won the First Place award for tone at the Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows at the American Viola Society Festival and 47th International Viola Congress. 

The instruments pictured are representative of the inventory we have in stock.  His violas range in size from 15-1/4″ up through 16-3/4″.  Please contact us for availability.

We are currently putting customers on a wait list for Stanley Kiernoziak Violas.  If you are interested, please email [email protected] for more information.  Reservations will include a deposit to confirm.