From hobbyist to award-winning artisan, a tale of violin craftsmanship

At the age of 14, Yan first encountered the violin purchased by his father.

"My four brothers and I were all fond of it, but it was difficult for me to get a turn, which sparked my interest in making my own violin," Yan recalled.

Three years later, with a knack for woodworking, Yan crafted his first violin.

"Although the sound quality was unsatisfactory, it marked the first step," he said. "Since then, handmade violins have been my hobby."

In 2014, Yan fulfilled his long-cherished dream of learning professional violin making under the guidance of the international violin maker Chang Zhongqiu.

"Under Chang's guidance, I gradually grasped the essence of violin making and successfully produced high-quality violins," he said. "I also received guidance from the international violin-making master Zheng Quan, which further emphasized my attention to detail in violin making and perfect musical expression."