Simon Joseph (Simon József) is a Romanian master luthier, born May 26, 1945, in Transylvania, in a village in the Harghita Mountains. Raised in a family of artisans, he learned woodworking from his father, a sculptor and woodworker, developing an early understanding of tonewoods and craftsmanship.

He built his first violin as a youth and later moved to Reghin—Romania’s renowned center of violin making—to formally study the craft, training under luthier Roman Boianciuc. Over the years, he refined his expertise both as a maker and as a designer of musical instruments.

Joseph is a member of the Romanian Luthiers Association and founder of the Jonaco Violins workshop, which he operates alongside his two sons, continuing a family tradition of instrument making. His instruments are entirely handcrafted using carefully aged spruce and maple, often inspired by classic models such as the 1716 Stradivari “Messiah.”

Today, Simon Joseph’s violins are recognized for their quality craftsmanship and tonal clarity, played by musicians in Europe and the United States.