Geoffrey Seitz is a luthier in St. Louis, MO. He was an apprentice to Claude Williams in jazz violin Missouri Folk Arts Program's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1985, and he was master luthier for the program in 1994.

Geoffrey J. Seitz has been making violins, violas and cellos for over 25 years. He apprenticed in 1976 with Gold Medal winning violin maker Glenn T. Stockton in Spokane, WA. Geoff's instruments are noted for their beautiful design and rich tone. He has been at his current location in St. Louis for over 15 years.

His instruments have been featured in Strings, an international string instrument publication.

He also has an extensive collection of fine stringed instruments that he has amassed over the years. His long experience in the violin business and his keen eye makes him a sought-after expert in stringed instrument identification.

Geoff was raised in Lemay, MO on a strawberry and tomato family farm. His father, Frank Seitz, is descended from German immigrants who arrived in St. Louis in the middle 1800's. His mother, Mary Casalone Seitz was born in Monfiletto, Italy, near Asti. Geoffrey's great grandmother was a member of Italian royalty, a countess.

Geoff studied violin playing with Helen de la Fuente, Alberto Casabona (a student of Sevcik), Darwyn Apple, and Claude Williams. Though Geoff has studied classical violin he has numerous awards playing old-time fiddle music. He has won two national fiddle championships, one at the 50th Anniversary of the National Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA, the oldest and largest fiddle contest in the world. He also won 1st place at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, WVA. Geoff has been a judge at many contest around the United States. He has played in numerous string bands and is currently a member of the Ill-Mo Boys.

He has produced music CD's including his own The Good Old Days Are Here. His CD includes original compositions as well as traditional fiddling. One of the tracks Ways of the World was used for the NBC Miniseries Movie A Will of Their Own. NPR used a cut for a "button" on All Things Considered. Some of his other projects are an instructional tape (soon to be CD) Common Fiddle Tunes Played Fast and Slow, and a CD by Dave Landreth, banjo player, called Chairs. Geoff's musical projects are on his record label Oceana Productions.