Director of Artist Relations Joins Skinner Fine Musical Instruments Department

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Skinner, Inc., one of the world's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced the addition of Jill Arbetter as Director of Artist Relations in the Fine Musical Instruments department. In this role, Arbetter, a professionally trained violinist, will focus on liaising with string players, teachers, and students worldwide.

As a violinist and artist manager for more than 20 years, Jill brings the perspective of an instrumentalist to Skinner. Prior to Skinner, Jill owned and directed Arbetter Artists, an artist-management agency in Zurich, Switzerland with more than 12 conductors and instrumentalists under contract. She also presented international tours for the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, the Belgrade Philharmonic, the Budapest Concert Orchestra, and numerous other orchestras throughout Europe.

Jill has performed as a violinist with the Zurich Opera, Staatsoper Berlin, Berliner Symphoniker, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Bamberger Symphoniker, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the New World Symphony of Miami, and others. She received degrees in violin performance from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Mannes College of Music, and was also a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center.

With an international network, and fluency in four languages, Jill's appointment will help satisfy the personal level of service required by members of the international string playing community, including musicians, dealers, and violinmakers. Under her leadership, Skinner will also conduct more private sales.

"For an auction house, fine musical instruments are a specialty area like no other," said Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. "The quality, playability, and sound of an instrument are the most essential factors for string players considering the purchase of an instrument, and it can take time to make the right choice. Jill brings years of experience as a performer and a keen understanding of these needs. Alongside department director David Bonsey, Jill will round out the services we provide to all of our potential buyers, but particularly players."  

About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20^th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks.  Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com.

SOURCE Skinner, Inc.