Greetings from all of us at K.C. Strings violin shop!

Misha Krutz

Misha Krutz studied bass at the Leningrad conservatory in Russia where he later played in the Kirov Ballet. In 1976 he immigrated to the United States bringing his family to Kansas City where he just retired playing bass in the Kansas City Symphony. He also was a professor of Bass at The University of Missouri Kansas City and University of Kansas.

Misha ran a violin shop out of his home where he served both student and professional clientele for ten years, prior to the establishment of K.C.Strings Violin Shop. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in this area and was instrumental in the forging of the unique Bass, made in the shop.

Anton Krutz

Anton Krutz was born in St. Petersburg Russia and moved to the States when he was young. He began making violins at age twelve, apprenticing to master luthier Earsel Atchley (the first American to enter a Quartet in an International European competition). He then attended and graduated from the internationally known Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City, Utah after which he concentrated on the restoration of valuable instruments. Working in different prestigious shops across the country he ended up in the violin shop of Philip Injean, across from Carnegie Hall, and later with the David Gage Bass shop in New York. Anton moved to Kansas City to join his father, Misha, and Partner Rick Williams in opening K.C. Strings.

Rick Williams

Rick is a former commercial and residential designer / craftsman with more than thirty years experience including work for such noted designers as Thomas Britt of New York, Robert Trapp of Kansas City, and Dudley Poplak of London. He came in contact with Misha by chance while looking to upgrade his son's cello. His extensive experience with crafting large wooden items and structures made it possible for him to start making basses with Anton Krutz. A native of St. Louis, Rick was interested in expanding the services to include the St. Louis area where much of his family still resides.

K. C. Strings Violin Shop opened in July of 1992. After Anton Krutz moved to Kansas City from New York, to join forces with Misha Krutz and Rick Williams The Shop has grown rapidly, and as a result has added more luthiers to it's staff.

Michael Kocher

A violin player since age 10, he began making violins in 1982 under Willis Gault. Moving to Boston in 1986, he continued his studies under Ray Melanson. Michael then attended the Violin Making School of America where he met Anton Krutz. Graduating in 1994, he worked in repair and making violins in Washington D.C. before joining K. C. Strings in January 1996.