Born and raised in Vermont, Russell’s mother was a schoolteacher and his father a carpenter. He took violin lessons from the age of four, developing an early interest in the instrument. At age 11 his school agreed to him being absent one day a week. Encouraged by his teacher and parents, he began working with Vermont luthier, Alan Goldblatt, to build a violin. Together they came up with a modified design from an idea of Alan’s to make the process simpler for a kid. This experience piqued Russell’s curiosity in the craft of violin making. He played that violin for many years. See Alan’s comments about the project here: http://www.alangoldblatt.com/gallery/McCumberViolin.html.

Ten years later Russell moved to North Carolina to study with the well respected master violin maker Joe Thrift, who was just starting a violin building program at Surry Community College. Russell was one of the 12 students in that first class. He used the 2016 NC Arts Council grant to study more intensively with Joe. 

In addition to his violin making Russell is the sound engineer at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, NC and enjoys working with some very talented and progressive musicians in today’s acoustic music scene. Doing sound reinforcement for these players pushes him to listen with a keen and discerning ear. 

Currently, Russell makes violins in his own shop and helps Joe teach the community college program, where they instruct a few dozen students each semester. They also co-build instruments in their spare time. Just as Joe hones his craft, thanks to a longtime friendship with his mentor and world renowned violin maker, Roger Hargrave, his and Russell’s relationship is a great example of how the craft is passed down over time.