Seminar - HOW TO TACKLE THE INSTRUMENTS AND RAW MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Friday, April 11th, 2014
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Panel presentation conducted and organized by Collin Gallahue, violin maker and Yung Chin, bow maker. Speakers: John Bennett, international environmental specialist and attorney; Heather Noonan, Vice President for Advocacy, League of American Orchestras; Tim Van Norman, Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Leilani Sanchez, Supervisory Wildlife Inspector; Tamesha Woulard, Senior Wildlife Inspector; Ana Margina, Botanist Identifier - USDA-APHIS; John Varemis, National CITES Coordinator - USDA-APHIS

Why Mondomusica New York hosts this seminar?
The transportation of musical instruments and their raw materials across international borders has become an issue of increasing concern for musicians, luthiers, and instrument dealers alike. Many musicians and luthiers have a poor understanding of which permitting requirements or material restrictions currently apply to them and how to navigate the governmental permitting process to comply with the ever-changing laws. This panel discussion will give a general overview of the relevant regulatory agencies within the US, address some of the most common travel scenarios for musicians and luthiers, explore the implementation of new and anticipated restrictions, and will include a Q and A session with panel members.

Targets of the seminar

Violin and bow makers, professional musicians, dealers.

Speakers

Collin Gallaue: Collin Gallahue is a violinmaker based in Brooklyn, NY where he makes violins, violas, and cellos for professional players. Collin has worked closely with internationally renowned violinmaker Samuel Zygmuntowicz since 2008. Collin won awards for tone and workmanship at the 2012 Violin Society of America Convention and participates annually in the Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop. Collin is a vocal advocate for an increased understanding of import/export requirements in the lutherie and music communities.

Yung Chin: Yung Chin is one of America’s most respected and sought after maker and dealer of fine bows. Based in New York City, Yung worked with the well known bow maker William Salchow for seven years before opening his own shop in 1987. He founded the Oberlin College bowmaking workshop in 1996 and directed it for 8 years. Yung was instrumental in the creation of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative ( IPCI) and is currently the International Chair of all groups. He has given numerous lectures around the world on the subject of bows during the past 30 years and a frequent member of the jury of various bowmaking competitions. Yung Chin is a member of the Violin Society of America and the incoming president of the American Federation of Violin and Bow makers.

John Bennett: John Bennet is an international environmental specialist and attorney. As the Principal of Bennett & Associates, John has advised the United Nations, environment ministries, legislators, environmental non-profits, foundations, universities and businesses. During recent years, John has worked with and represented the interests of the violin and bow trade in national and international discussions focused on the trade and transport of musical instruments and raw materials used in their making. John is also the President of the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative – USA (www.ipci-usa.org). Previously, John served as the Director or Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Chief Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative George Miller, and as a commercial litigation attorney with the New York law firm, Battle Fowler. Mr. Bennett holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

Heather Noonan: Heather Noonan is the Vice President for Advocacy for the League of American Orchestras, the national service organization for more than 800 symphony orchestras nationwide. From the League’s Washington, D.C. office, Heather represents orchestras before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Her legislative portfolio includes federal policies related to the National Endowment for the Arts, education, immigration, cultural exchange, international travel with musical instruments, and nonprofit tax issues. Heather convenes the Cultural Advocacy Group, an ad-hoc collation of national arts and humanities organizations pursuing federal policies in support of the arts and culture. Ms. Noonan established and edits the League web site Artists from Abroad: The Complete Guide to Immigration and Tax Requirements for Foreign Guest Artists. Prior to joining the League in 1996, she was a legislative associate for the American Arts Alliance.

Listen to Sam Zygmuntowicz's (Mondomusica New York Advisory Board) opinion about this topic: