Stephan von Baehr began his career in violin making in 1988 under Reinhard Bönsch in Germany, in whose workshop he became employed in 1990. In the same year, he began his apprenticeship in sculpture under Jochen Heinzmann, and was employed in 1993 by the Sabatier workshop in Paris to restore old instruments, refining his knowledge of style and expertise.
Since then, Stephan has won numerous prizes:
- 1995 - Attains Meisterbrief ("Master violin maker") diploma in Germany
- 1998 - Best placement in violin making at the Manchester International Competition, jury presided by Charles Beare, London. With this recognition granted by his fellow luthiers, Stephan decides to devote himself exclusively - with the generous support of the workshop Sabatier luthiers (Paris) - from this key moment on to instrument making.
- 1999 – International Violin Making Competition Etienne Vatelot, Paris: Gold and bronze medals
- 2000 - International Competition of the Violin Society of America, Cincinnati: 3 silver medals
- 2001 - Mittenwald International Violin Making Competition (Germany): title of best instrument with the most maturity and style
- 2003 - Purchase by the German Federal State
- 2004 - International Violin Making Competition of Portland, USA, silver medal for quartet of instruments and three special prizes for savoir-faire of each instrument
- 2012 - 20th International Competition and Exhibition, Violin Society of America, Cleveland, USA: Gold medal for Quartet
Stephan's instruments are appreciated by numerous musicians around the world, and are loaned from Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben's collection, as well as by the bank Societé Générale who gives financial support to young, talented musicians in France.
Stephan is also a member of Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers d'Art de France and the Verband deutscher Geigenbauer und Bogenmacher e.V.
