Our Team
Kate Porter
Manager
Kate studied Music Technology at Edinburgh University, and was a Saturday assistant at Stringers throughout her student years. She joined Stringers full-time in 2009, and took up the position of Assistant Manager in March 2010 and became Manager in 2022.
Julia Hoare
Assistant Manager
Julia studied for a Music Degree at Newcastle University before completing a Masters in Historical Musicology at King's College London. She worked part-time at Stringers in London during her studies, and become a full-time member of the Edinburgh staff in 2010.
Virginia Swinney
Violins & Violas
Virginia studied Music and English at Glasgow University, with violin as her first instrument. She joined Stringers in 1997 as a trainee, and was appointed Manager of the Edinburgh shop in 2001, handing over to Kate in 2022.
Renee Kenny
Cellos
Renee studied cello at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, and the Hochschule, Vienna. She played professionally for over twenty years before becoming a much valued cello teacher. Renee joined Stringers in 2008 as the Cello Department Manager.
Stuart Reid
Restorer
Stuart studied at Anniesland College and Newark School of Violin making where he graduated with Distinction. He received four awards from the RAB trust before joining Stringers as a full time member of staff in 2015.
Joe Lotito
Restorer
Joe studied at North Bennet Street School in Massachusetts, going on to become a maker and restorer of instruments of the violin family, making copies of Cremonese instruments as well as English and French viols. Joe joined Stringers in 2017.
