Annapolis Bows & Violins provides high-quality
bow rehairs, instrument repairs, sales, and rentals
to the string-playing community in Annapolis,
the Eastern Shore, and the surrounding DMV area.
Luthier/musician owned and operated. Established in 2017.
Instrument & Bow Sales
We offer a selection of both new and old instruments and bows to fit various needs and budgets. All instruments are professionally set up in the shop for the best possible sound quality and playability. We stand behind the instruments we sell with a trade-in/trade-up policy. Our inventory is always changing and growing, so be sure to visit to see what we have to offer!
Full size violins/violas for sale starting at $695
Fractional violins/violas for sale starting at $595
Cellos for sale starting at $1895
Showroom Highlight:
15 3/4" Viola by Thomas Coleman, 2025
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tommy Coleman has been a lifelong woodworker. He made his first guitar while stationed with the U.S. Navy in Dunoon, Scotland, in 1991. While there, he met his wife, and together they have lived in many places around the world, including Sicily, Charleston, Washington state, and Guam, following her career in the Navy.
He has worked professionally as a fine furniture maker and at Gibson Guitar in Bozeman, Montana. In 2014, he began attending the Chicago School of Violin Making, graduating in 2016. He occasionally serves as a substitute teacher there at CSVM. He apprenticed with renowned Chicago luthier Will Whedbee, with whom he enjoys a close friendship. In addition to instruments of the bowed string family, Tommy has made mandolins, guitars, and ukuleles.
These days, he makes mostly violas at his bench in the Chicago Luthiers Cooperative but still enjoys branching out. Currently, he is working on his second baroque guitar, patterned after one by the famous Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari. In his spare time, he loves to read Chinese poetry, take walks in the woods with his beautiful wife, Karrie, practice tai chi, and barebow archery.
We are so delighted to have one of his violas available for sale in our showroom! Call to make an appointment to try it out, or visit the shop anytime during regular business hours.
Instrument Rentals
Everything You Need to Get Started
A properly working instrument is vital in the learning process - if your instrument isn’t functioning well, neither is your practicing! At Annapolis Bows & Violins, we are passionate about supporting string instrument education by providing well-made, professionally set-up instruments at affordable rental prices to students of all ages and levels.
We rent violins, violas, and cellos.
Click here to fill out a rental contract online
Click here for a PDF of our 2026 rental flyer
Repairs
At Annapolis Bows & Violins, we strive to ensure that our customers' instruments operate at their fullest potential. From setups to restorations, we are happy to address any needs you may have for a violin, viola, cello, or bow.
Rebecca Hannigan, Founder/Luthier
Annapolis Bows & Violins was founded by Rebecca Hannigan, a native of Annapolis. Rebecca graduated at the top of her class in String Instrument Repair from MNSE Tech (Red Wing, MN. She furthered her luthier education by attending workshops focused on repair/restoration, bow restoration, and bow making. With over two decades of experience, she has worked in violin shops in Nashville, Chicago, and Maryland. Rebecca has also continued her passion for performing in chamber groups and orchestras, including traveling to over 30 countries while entertaining aboard cruise ships.
Recognizing the need for a resource for the numerous string players in Annapolis and the surrounding areas, Rebecca returned to Maryland in 2017 to establish Annapolis Bows & Violins on State Circle in Downtown Annapolis. The shop quickly grew, becoming the preferred destination for players of all ages and abilities, both local and from afar. In 2020, Annapolis Bows & Violins relocated to a larger and more accessible location at 177 Defense Highway.
Rebecca's educational background includes a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Belmont University; String Instrument Repair from Minnesota State College Southeast Technical (2011); and the UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute for Bow Restoration and Bow Making. She was awarded the 2015 Tarisio Young Artist's Grant for "The Luthier's Workshop" project in Chicago. She served as the Secretary of the Board for the Southern Violin Association from 2024-25, and she currently is one of the co-hosts on the luthier podcast, Omo.
Katherine M. Kidwell, Co-Owner/Luthier
Katherine began her luthier career in 2015 while working at a local violin shop in Virginia, which combined her background as a violist with a love of working with her hands on projects like sculpture. In 2021, she joined the inaugural Women in Lutherie Fellowship, studying repair and restoration with Stacey Styles; and instrument making with Paris Andrews, including a trip to Florence, Italy, to work on her first instrument, a violin.
In 2023, Katherine set out to develop her own workshop in Northern Virginia. Part of her freelance repair and restoration work included helping the Annapolis Bows & Violin workshop part time. In 2026, she moved to Maryland and officially joined Annapolis Bows & Violins as co-owner and full time luthier.
