It was the sight of twin violins beautifully displayed in the velvet-lined case that first drew our attention. As we approached the table we met the pleasant and engaging Ken Porterfield a self-proclaimed amateur violinmaker. Ken grew up in Elbow, Saskatchewan where music was a family tradition. He gained his musical appreciation from his mother and multi-talented father.

Being part of a prairie farm family Ken didn't have the time to spend on music so he was not a particularly adept music student. However, he did retain his appreciation for the entertainment form. Ken's interest in building instruments flowered after he viewed and taped a public TV show that was dedicated to making violins. After sharing the taped show with a number of acquaintances who were involved in making instruments Ken decided that if he was ever going to learn how to play he needed a left hand violin - so he started to build his first violin in 1983.

It took a few years of intermittent attention but he finally completed that first instrument in 1998. Since that time he has built another five violins that are patterned on the early Stradivarius. Ken estimates that it takes him about 150 hours of his time to build one of his quality instruments. Just to ensure Ken doesn't find too much idle time on his hands Ken has now begun to make Mandolins; he is the President of the Amateur Violin Makers Assn of BC.

He is also a pin collector, avid RVer, and a Ham Radio Operator. Ken's connection to the Okanagan began in 1962 and continues to this day with regular visits and vacations in the lovely resort town of Osoyoos where Ken and his family vacation at the Shady Lagoon. You can contact Ken at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; call him at (604) 433-4645; or at his radio call sign VE7VU.

2006-08/G.F.