GE Appliances Helps Make Music More Accessible for Stamford, CT Students

In an exciting fusion of education, the arts, and creative 3D printing capabilities, GE Appliances' innovative community makerspace, FirstBuild, has partnered with Orchestra LUMOS in Stamford, Conn., to make music more accessible to young students in the community.

Orchestra LUMOS, Stamford's symphony orchestra, is at the forefront of musical education through its long-standing involvement with Project Music , an El Sistema-inspired program dedicated to nurturing young musical talents.

So, when the need for more student violins arose, Orchestra Lumos turned to FirstBuild Stamford, igniting a special collaboration.

The FirstBuild team worked closely with Anthony Parce , Director of Education, Community Engagement, and Inclusion at Orchestra LUMOS, to kickstart the 3D printing of violin parts at the FirstBuild makerspace located at CoCreate.

Opened in October 2023, CoCreate is GE Appliances' first-of-its-kind cocreation hub designed to bring people together to make, connect, and inspire.

Along with a small appliances factory and design & experience center, CoCreate houses the second FirstBuild makerspace, which was first established in Louisville, Ky.

“All the violins were created and assembled right here in the FirstBuild shop,” Parce said. “The only parts we had to purchase were the strings and pegs.”

This initiative is transforming the conventional approach to string music education by encouraging students to actively participate in the hands-on creation of their instruments.

Project Music students recently visited FirstBuild Stamford to assemble their violins and explore the innovative makerspace environment.

Parce says this immersive approach to music education helps enrich the learning experience, forging a deeper connection between students and their instruments, as well as the music they create.

“They're getting an inside look at FirstBuild, experiencing the makerspace, and creating their own instrument. It's a completely unique experience for string players, and it's really exciting,” he said, highlighting the unparalleled opportunity for students to build their violins.

This initiative not only showcases the inventive capabilities of GE Appliances' FirstBuild but it also underscores the company's dedication to supporting educational programs and fostering community engagement.

As this project unfolds, it promises to inspire a new generation of musicians and makers, demonstrating the power of collaborative innovation in enriching education and the arts.

“Thank you for building us violins," Parce said. "This is really cool.”

Students, faculty and Orchestra Lumos musicians are planning a performance with the newly printed instruments later this spring.

Watch below: Anthony Parce puts the 3D-printed violin to the test!