A Fire of Music and Talent Burns Bright

Mo Menzel is truly an original.

As the owner of Menzel Violins, located in Livingston Town Center, and her offshoot MoFiddles.com, Mo Menzel easily earns distinction by having New Jersey's largest selections of violins, violas, cellos and bows.  

She's following in the footsteps of her father to continue the family's musical tradition.  Ms. Menzel inherited the business from her father, the late Richard E. Menzel who founded Menzel Violins in 1973 after his career in aerospace quality control. Mr. Menzel, using his aerospace expertise, devised new repair tools and techniques to enhance the sound quality of string instruments.  He was also noted in the industry for his integrity and honesty, as he openly opposed the alleged secret world of kickbacks and price gouging, which were common in the expensive violin business.

Mo Menzel is doing the same.  

She believes in fair pricing of violins and cellos, often selling instruments for a fraction of the price they would sell for on the established open market. This makes these prestigious instruments more accessible to parents, schools and children.  Indeed, Menzel Violins is the gold standard for beginner to talented students, collector to fiddler, from conservatory to orchestra; everyone can find a perfectly crafted instrument at Menzel Violins and Mo Fiddles.

But in addition to sales, repair, restoration, lessons and workshops, she also offers jam sessions and performance space for musicians.  She lends her shop to young people and students liberally by staging open mic events and also hosts a regular schedule of concerts featuring community and international stars.  

In the last month, the shop has hosted jazz drummer Paolo Cantarella, guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel, bluegrass Grammy-nominee Claire Lynch, Indian classical Veena artist Nirmalla Rajasekar, to name a few.  In the coming month, she'll host Ian Maskin, the cellist of Andrea Bocelli, and also the musical family of Linda Ronstadt, with the Ronstadt generation. The exciting list of names keeps growing, as the reputation of this location grows in importance.

But perhaps most important, she's also building a reputation as someone with a big heart heart. Ms. Menzel is a builder and a healer, inviting all types, including kids from disadvantaged schools, to come to Livingston to experience music and practice it in a beautiful space.  

The wonderful photographs that line the walls — which she took, she's also a gifted photographer, some are of her time spent living in the Southwest — capture many of the wonderful moments shared at her shop. She's just as generous with the Livingston community.  Last month, she helped organize the first annual 'Livingston Love In' as part of Youth Appreciation Week and helps with other events that raise funds for non-profit organizations like NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women).  

Next Tuesday (June 22), Russian-born cellist Ian Maskin, will perform at the shop at 7:30 p.m. .  For tickets and more information, visit www.mofiddles.com.