About Us

My name is John Rihani and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you why I am so excited about Encore Orchestral Strings. I can still clearly remember buying my first good cello with my parents when I lived in North Carolina. It was an exciting, thrilling, scary, and confusing experience. There were so many choices, so much conflicting information, and so many opinions. We were lucky to receive good advice from a shop we trusted and purchased a wonderful instrument.

Encore exists so that the process of choosing an instrument is relaxed, enjoyable, and fun. When you come to Encore and talk to me you can be sure you are getting honest information from someone that's been in your position before.

I invite you to visit me at the store and experience Encore for yourself.

Repair Technicians

Tom May has been repairing violin family instruments professionally in the violin shop of Paige’s music since 1985 and now is honored to repair for Encore Orchestral Strings as well. Tom received a Bachelor of Science in Music and Stringed Instrument Repair Technology degree from Indiana University in the spring of 1985. In addition to his degree, he received training in bow making from the University of New Hampshire and in stringed instrument repair in the shop of Peter Horn and Son. Outside of his repair career, Tom enjoys playing the bass and guitar, writing and arranging music and song leading in his church.

James Chin has 5 years of repair experience for violin family instruments. He received an Associates degree in Stringed Instrument Repair Technology from Indiana University in the spring of 2004. James will continue to hone his skills as he assists Tom May in the various repair and restoration operations for Encore Orchestral Strings and Paige’s Music. James has played the viola for 15 years and also enjoys playing tennis in his spare time.