After a degree from Scuola Civica of Milan and an apprenticeship funded by Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, young luthier Stefano Bertoli launched LiutaiLab in 2017. Since the beginning, the workshop has been both his own workshop and a place for sharing, open to other young craftspeople who wanted to gain experience and share their knowledge. Unfortunately, Stefano died prematurely in 2021. But his enthusiasm and passion for his craft were not to be lost. Thanks to his family, with the help of Fondazione Cologni and the Municipality of Milan, LiutaiLab was turned into an incubator for young talent, where new graduates have the chance to benefit from a fully-equipped workshop where they can cut their teeth before starting their own business.

Nowadays, five artisans work regularly in the atelier. Ilaria Cazzaniga, Daniele Marni and Maxime Vauth make, repair and restore string bowed instruments, while plucked string instruments are the domain of Giuseppe Corasaniti and Stefano Melograna. Training courses are organised, too, under the supervision of master artisans.