Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Eastern New Mexico University in 1965, Donald F. Robertson won a position as cellist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1966, he became a stringed instrument instructor for the Albuquerque Public School System. During the summers of 1967, 1968, and 1972, Don traveled to New York City to study stringed instrument making, repair, and restoration at the Hofstra University. There, Don honed and perfected his craft under the direct tutelage of such world renowned instrument and bow makers as Simone Sacconi, Dario D’Atilli, William Salchow, Erwin Hertel, and Samuel Eisenstein. In 1971, Don founded Robertons & Sons Violin Shop, a business which has gained recognition as one of the world’s premier bowed stringed instrument dealers. In 1993, Don’s expertise as a luthier was recognized formally and the International Society of Bassists awarded him “Luthier of the Year”. In addition, he has been featured and published in Strings Magazine, Bass World Magazine, Performa, The Albuquerque Journal, ASTA New Mexico News, and New Mexico Business Weekly (January 14-20, 2005 edition). He has exhibited and conducted many workshops on stringed instrument repair for various seminars and all-state conventions including TMEA, CMEA, WMEA, the Colorado Suzuki Institute, and Arizona Virtuoso Violas. Don has also given lectures at universities throughout the United States as well as various bass symposiums in Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and Arizona. Don is a member of the Violin Society of America, the International Society of Bassists, and the New Mexico Music Industry Council. Don has also served on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc. from 2000 to 2003.
