Violin Temple Luthier Interview Series, Episode 4: Yang Jinlong—From a Mountain Village to an Internationally Awarded Luthier, Writing a New Chapter in Chinese Violin Making with All-Category Excellence Event Overview The Violin Temple Luthier Interview Series is a long-term interview project initiated by the Violin Temple Treasure Hall. It aims to provide luthiers, bow makers, and artisans in related fields with a professional platform for public expression, bringing these long-hidden craftsmen into the industry and public spotlight. The interviews are hosted by curator Tian Lifu, featuring in-depth dialogues between "the makers" and "the players," showcasing the heritage of craftsmanship and the evolution of the times in violin making. The interview content is published in the "Master Column" on the Violin Temple official website. Guest Interview: Yang Jinlong—From Humble Beginnings, Studied Under Masters, Achieved Repeated Success in International Competitions Mr. Yang Jinlong is a contemporary powerhouse violin maker in China, a member of the International Violin and Bow Makers Association, and a council member of the Chinese Violin Makers Association. He currently operates his personal workshop (Beijing Yunyi Youyang Violin Culture Co., Ltd.) in Majuqiao Town, Tongzhou District, Beijing. His career spans the full range of violins, violas, and cellos, earning numerous accolades in top international competitions. He is one of the few Chinese luthiers to have consecutively won awards at the VSA International Violin Making Competition in the United States. Yang Jinlong was born in a small mountain village in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province. He lost his father at age four and was raised solely by his mother. In 1996, after finishing middle school, he left home to seek work in Dalian, Liaoning, joining a local violin factory where he handled purfling and inlay work. His meticulous craftsmanship caught the attention of master Xu Yingping, who took him on as an apprentice, marking his transition from piecemeal tasks to full violin making. In 1998, Yang officially embarked on his luthier career, later studying under Xu Yingping, international violin master Zheng Quan, luthier Chen Ting, and U.S.-based master Zhao Shiquan, forming a complete lineage from foundational training to global perspective—a path through Xu Yingping, Zheng Quan, and Zhao Shiquan that epitomizes the training system for contemporary Chinese luthiers. On the international stage, Yang's achievements are particularly notable. In 2016, he won a silver medal for violin at the VSA International Violin Making Competition—during the award ceremony, he thought he had missed the prize again until someone reminded him that his name had been called. In 2018, he returned to VSA, winning three honors: the Cello Tone Award, the Viola Workmanship Award, and the Quartet Workmanship Award, showcasing rare all-category luthier skills. In 2024, Yang competed in VSA for the third time, earning a silver medal for viola workmanship and the Quartet Workmanship Award, completing a streak of consecutive VSA wins from 2016 to 2024. Additionally, he placed 9th, 11th, and 15th in the Italian Triennial Violin Making Competition. Having international awards across violin, viola, and cello categories is extremely rare among luthiers. At the 2025 Beijing International Musical Instruments Exhibition, Yang displayed his works at Booth 4B001, attracting widespread industry attention. In the 2026 "Spring Strings Picking Sounds" violin auction, his works had a starting bid of 70,000 RMB, with an estimated value of 90,000 to 150,000 RMB, reflecting strong market recognition. In this interview, Mr. Yang Jinlong and curator Tian Lifu engaged in an in-depth discussion on topics including personal growth experiences, mentorship lineage, insights from international competitions, and the development of China's violin-making industry. From a mountain village in Suifenhe to the VSA podium in the U.S., from an apprentice in purfling and inlay to an award-winning luthier across all categories, Yang's journey is not only a personal story of struggle but also a decade-long witness to China's violin-making industry evolving from following to keeping pace. The Profound Significance of the Interview Series The Violin Temple Luthier Interview Series continues to advance, consistently reinforcing the core mission of "making luthiers visible and ensuring good instruments fetch good prices." The exquisite skills and contributions of luthiers have long been little known to the public, and the market value of outstanding works remains underappreciated. Through this series, Violin Temple provides a platform for artisans to express their expertise and showcase to the public, enabling practitioners and music lovers to understand the craftsmanship and stories behind each instrument, thereby fostering due recognition for exceptional works. As a representative of young and mid-career luthiers, Yang's experiences and achievements inject vital confidence and reference points into the industry. Looking Ahead The Violin Temple Treasure Hall will continue to advance the luthier interview series, inviting more luthiers and bow makers to participate, presenting the spirit of craftsmanship and the beauty of artistry through in-depth dialogues. Interview content will be published in the "Master Column" on the Violin Temple official website. Stay tuned. Violin Temple Treasure Hall Address: Building 6, Beijing Music Industrial Park, Chaoyang District, Beijing (Inside the DIBEISI Audio Hall) Website: www.violintemple.com