Joseph Campanella Cleary (Violin)
Joseph Campanella Cleary is equally captivated by music and lutherie. After graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1996, he followed the traditional path of apprenticeship and journeyman to become an independent luthier (2005). He currently builds violin and mandolin family instruments in Burlington, VT. His work to re-design the mandolin family has been recognized by the Vermont Arts Council with two Creation grants (2005, 2009). Born into a musical family, and a violinist since the age of seven, Joe is proud to be passing on the tradition to his son and daughter. He performs with Anwar Diab Agha, a Syrian violinist and composer, and continues to fiddle in many traditional styles. Joe has previously appeared in VT Stage productions of Woody Guthrie’s American Song and Winter Tales. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Young Traditions Vermont and the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival.
