Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Musical Instruments & Music Lessons in Durham, NC
Founded in 2007, High Strung Violins & Guitars has established itself as Durham's premier community music store, serving the Triangle area with integrity and expertise. Our team of seasoned musicians and instrument specialists brings decades of combined experience in retail, repair, and music education. We offer a comprehensive range of services including instrument rentals with flexible month-to-month terms, professional repair services for fretted and bowed instruments, and private music lessons across multiple disciplines. Recognized as a NAMM Top 100 Dealer and multiple Best of the Triangle winner, we maintain rigorous standards through our maintenance plans covering common repair issues while emphasizing transparency in all operations.Our facility features seven private lesson studios with sound-insulated walls and accessibility accommodations, complemented by a retail space offering premium brands like Alvarez, D'Addario, and Martin. With certified Suzuki instructors and a commitment to community engagement through free learning jams, we combine technical expertise with educational outreach. Our rental credit system allows customers to apply payments toward future purchases, while our technician's decade-plus experience ensures proper instrument care. This dedication to quality service and community development has sustained our reputation as a trusted local business for over 15 years.
Services
Instrument Rentals
Repairs
Music Lessons
Instrument Sales
Suzuki Program
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Certified NAMM Top 100 Dealer recognition for excellence in music retail
- Multiple Best of the Triangle awards for instrument sales and music lessons
- Suzuki-certified instructors with advanced music degrees and professional performance experience
- Flexible month-to-month instrument rentals with included maintenance coverage
- Professional repair services by technicians with over a decade of specialized experience
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Music Merchants
What people say
Best music store
Excellent instructors
Top-quality instruments
Professional repairs
Great community focus
Services
Instrument Rentals
Our month-to-month instrument rental program offers violins, violas, and cellos with no long-term commitment. Each rental includes essential accessories and a maintenance plan covering common repairs. Customers receive cases, bows, rosin, and instructional materials while accumulating rental credit applicable toward future purchases. Security deposits apply with full refunds upon instrument return in good condition.
Repairs
Professional repair services for bowed and fretted instruments performed by experienced technicians. Our maintenance plans cover common issues like broken strings and bridge adjustments while excluding damage from neglect or theft. Estimates are provided after evaluation with transparent pricing for repairs ranging from minor adjustments to major restorations. Emergency repair services available during business hours.
Music Lessons
Comprehensive music education programs for all skill levels featuring private lessons in violin, guitar, piano, and other instruments. Our certified instructors employ multiple teaching methodologies including Suzuki training. Lessons occur in sound-insulated studios with flexible scheduling options. The program accommodates students from age 3 through adults with specialized curricula for different age groups and skill levels.
Instrument Sales
Premium instrument retail offering acoustic and electric guitars, violins, cellos, and accessories from top brands. Our inventory includes Alvarez Yairi series guitars and professional-grade bowed instruments. We provide expert guidance for instrument selection with technicians available for setup assistance. The store also carries sheet music, strings, and performance accessories from trusted manufacturers like D'Addario and Martin.
Suzuki Program
Certified Suzuki violin and viola instruction following the comprehensive pedagogical approach developed by Shinichi Suzuki. Our registered instructors have completed specialized training through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The program emphasizes ear training, proper technique development, and musical literacy for young students. Weekly private lessons complement group classes and performance opportunities to build musical proficiency and confidence.
People
Louis Landry
Instructor
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist with over 10,000 private lessons taught. Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. Performs internationally and teaches at Duke University. Specializes in guitar, bass, and composition with expertise in multiple musical genres.
Megan Stewart
Violin Instructor
Professional violinist with two decades of teaching experience. Utilizes Suzuki method and other pedagogies. Former member of string quartet Bows & Arrows. Composes contemporary Christian music and specializes in improvisational techniques for violin and piano.
Gabriela Potter Peoples
Suzuki Violin Instructor
Registered Suzuki violin instructor with advanced training from East Carolina University. Secretary of North Carolina Suzuki Association. Specializes in teaching children aged 3-7 using developmental appropriate methods and music mind games.
Craig Wiggins
Guitar Instructor
Classical guitar performance master's graduate. Teaches acoustic, electric, and classical guitar. Former university teaching assistant with expertise in historical instruments including Baroque guitar and Renaissance lute. Performs in classical and jazz formats.
William vonReichbauer
Music Director
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and educator. Adjunct Professor at Meredith College. Leads honky tonk band William and the Texas Starlight. Former music director for Bones and Memory Dance with extensive performance experience across multiple genres.
Questions
What instruments can I rent?
We offer violin, viola, and cello rentals with month-to-month contracts. Each rental includes necessary accessories and maintenance coverage.
Do you provide music lessons for beginners?
Yes, our instructors teach all skill levels from beginners to advanced students using multiple teaching methodologies including Suzuki training.
What are your retail hours?
Retail hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-5pm. The shop is located in Durham, NC.
Can rental payments be applied toward purchase?
Yes, principal rental payments accrue as credit applicable toward new instrument purchases within 60 days of contract termination.
What repair services do you offer?
We handle common instrument issues including broken strings, bridge adjustments, and case repairs for both bowed and fretted instruments.
Are there group lesson options?
While primarily offering private lessons, we organize group learning jams for Irish and country music styles with community participation.
