I am proud to be following in the footsteps of my illustrious ancestors.

Originally I enjoyed a successful career as an antique furniture restorer and during this time I started researching the origins of my family’s violin making tradition.

My great grandfather Frederick William Chanot, a violin maker & music publisher had premises at 73 Berners Street,London. This was where my grandfather Francis Wilhelmj Chanot was born in 1895.

His middle name was taken from the famous German violinist who was in London at that time and who was a client of George Chanot's.

Over 20 years ago, based on my research and skills in restoring antiques, I started making my first violins. At first it was on a part-time basis whilst still running a busy restoration workshop.

After a few years of raising a family and several house moves the decision was taken to make violins full time.

My instruments are all made by me, in my own workshop in Devon. Each violin takes many hours of love, patience and skill. I select the best materials and make my violins by hand in the traditional manner.

The Chanots are a long line of violin makers, and Kev Chanot's direct bloodline goes back to 1760 with Joseph Chanot of Mirecourt.

• Joseph Chanot b 1760 Boulaincourt d 1832 Mirecourt
• Georges Chanot b 1801 Mirecourt d 1883 Courcelles
• George Chanot b 1831 Paris d 1895 London
• Frederick William Chanot b 1857 London d 1911 London