Kristin Siegfried Ballenger is an award winning Violin Maker and restorer. A former instructor and graduate of the Chicago School of Violin Making. She holds a music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. While still in school at CSVM she began working at Seman Violins, where she continued after graduation. In 2019 she began as instructor at the Chicago School of Violin Making alongside Executive Director Antoine Nédélec. She has recently moved to Boston where she is doing restoration work for Reuning and Son Violins, as well as new making. 

As a participant in the Oberlin Violin Makers and Restorers workshops, she continues to pursue new techniques while continually refining her craft. As a strong advocate for education and training in the field of lutherie, she is part of the faculty of Learning Trade Secrets.  Just recently finishing up a 6 year term as an integral part of the Board of Directors of the Violin Society of America, she served as Secretary, Vice-President, Programming Chair, and lastly as President overseeing the 50th Anniversary of the VSA and the 25th Competition. She has served on committees for the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, as well as organizing events such as Celebrating Women Luthiers.