I love violin shops.

St. Louis is lucky enough to have a thriving orchestral scene, and we’re blessed with some truly amazing musicians. Consequently, there are some pretty cool music stores around. My favorite has to be First String, located out in Overland. It’s run by this guy named Valery Parfenov, but please, call him Larry. Parfenov’s from Russia and he’s currently principal violist with the STL Philharmonic. He’s got the most piercing blue eyes you’ve ever seen, and he is a man who truly loves his job.

There’s a certain smell and feel to a violin shop. You walk in and there are maybe a hundred instruments hanging on a wall, more scattered around in cases. Each one has a story. Maybe it was built in 2004 by Mark Moreland before he left Eastman to start his own business, like mine. Maybe it’s from the 18th century, like my high school stand partner Morgan’s. Maybe it’s $500, maybe it’s $500,000.

I always identified with the “wand chooses the wizard” aspect of Harry Potter; as a musician, especially a string musician, you live this. I’ve been through several instruments since I started, but when I reached my full height of 5’7”, I started looking for a permanent violin, one I can keep with me until I die.

I tried a couple dozen from various shops around the area. Nothing really clicked. The only one I liked had a price tag in the six figures. Not happening.

And then, I was at Parfenov’s, and he takes a newer instrument out of a case. I certainly wasn’t expecting a violin that was 3 years old at the time. Well-made instruments age like good wine, so how was a violin younger than I was going to be what I wanted.

All I know is that I fell in love. It was perfect. I sounded better than I ever had before, and it sounded better than it ever had before. Something just worked.