Violinist Sean Riley is literally pushing the boundaries of the instrument he plays. A Julliard graduate and seasoned performer, Riley is not afraid of a challenge – even when the challenge is playing a piece written for a six-stringed violin. After discovering The Dharma at Big Sur by John Adams, Riley was inspired to create his own violin after being unable to play the piece on his traditional instrument. With the help of mechanical engineering graduate Daniel Goodwin and sculptor Rebecca Milton, Riley 3D-printed his dream instrument. Although it looks different than the typical violin with its narrow body and absence of a scroll, the sound it produces is on par with its wooden counterparts. Sean Riley stopped by Studio 1A to showcase his modern instrument and play the piece that inspired it all. Listen to his session below!
-Eileen Wolfowicz
