Growing up immersed in his grandfather’s fiddle music, John Dailey never imagined how deeply the world of stringed instruments would capture his heart. What began as family tradition sparked a lifelong passion for the craft of violin making.
In high school, John committed to this path and enrolled at the prestigious Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City in 1999, graduating in 2003 after intensive training in fine instrument construction.

Following graduation, he honed his skills working alongside respected luthiers including John Young, Ryan Soltis, and Garry Vessel. In 2005, he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he maintained a private studio at Williams Fine Violins.
In 2008, John joined Carriage House Violins (a division of Reuning & Son Violins) in Boston, Massachusetts. Over the next 16 years, he advanced from luthier to Workshop Manager of the renowned repair shop in Newton, MA, overseeing complex restorations, tonal adjustments, and team operations while continuing to build his own instruments inspired by Italian masters.

In recent years, John embraced independence, founding John Dailey Violins (also known as Dailey Violin Designs) in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Today, from his private studio, he crafts fine violins, violas, and cellos, while offering expert repairs, restorations, acoustic setups, and maintenance to musicians throughout the region.
With decades of dedication to the art and science of lutherie, John continues to blend tradition, precision, and personal artistry to create and preserve instruments that inspire performers and audiences alike.