By Saturday, I had done repair estimates for thirteen instruments, as well as dressed a few fingerboards; Sunday I spent at the academy, gluing cracks, dressing more fingerboards, and figuring out impromptu solutions for long-term problems. This trip, I have been trying to put more focus on the teaching aspect of our mission, along the idea of "teaching a man to fish". It is hard to remember to do this when faced with a mountain of more or less dysfunctional instruments...
The string teachers at the Academy have done a wonderful job preparing for my visit. They are a team of incredibly caring, engaged and resourceful people who work hard to create learning opportunities for students often coming from difficult home situations.
Meanwhile, I am considering extending my work hours. Towards the later part of every trip, I tend to get swept away by the tide of violins in need, and as my mornings start ealier and earlier, my nights get later and later. I can always sleep on the plane home, right?