Jeff Anderson
Owner of House of Note
Please tell us about yourself and about House of Note.
I am Jeff Anderson, and I am the owner of House of Note, a violin shop in St. Louis Park. I have been working there for 24 years as a luthier repairing and restoring violin family instruments. About two years ago, I purchased House of Note.
I am from Washburn, Wisconsin, a very small town along the shores of Lake Superior. Before working at House of Note, I went to a school in Red Wing, Minnesota, to learn how to build guitars and repair violin family instruments. After graduating, I was lucky to land a job with House of Note.
It is really fun working here! I get to work with string musicians of all different levels including beginners and even musicians from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. We are a very busy shop, only because we work with everybody of all different levels.
You can learn more about House of Note by visiting our only location in St. Louis Park, or find us online at our website, Facebook, and Instagram.
What brings you joy about music?
I love music, all kinds of music! I have played guitar since I was a kid, and that was what drew me into this line of work. Now, I play all stringed instruments. I love working with other musicians and helping them achieve what they want out of their instrument. If I can adjust a violin or a cello, and have somebody be very happy with the way it sounds or plays, that makes me very happy!
Why did you decide to donate to the Saint Paul Chamber Institute (SPCMI)?
I became the new owner of House of Note two weeks before the pandemic hit. Thanks to the goodness and support of the string musician community, our business has stayed afloat. Around the same time I became the new owner, I learned about SPCMI through Rena Kraut (SPCM Faculty Member). Donating a scholarship fund to the SPCMI was a good and exciting way to give back. I believe it is great that House of Note could sponsor someone to have the opportunity to attend SPCMI.
What advice do you have for young musicians?
Get a good teacher. I had a very good teacher when I was a kid. He taught me so much more beyond just music.
Practice every day!
Everything kind of comes at you at the right time. Be open to things as they come.