Joël Klépal

Born in 1981, Joël Klépal joined the Ecole de Lutherie de Mirecourt at the age of 15, where he obtained the Diplôme des Métiers d'Art in 2001. He then joined Jean-Yves Tanguy's workshop in Caen where, for ten years, he made, restored and adjusted the instruments of the quartet.

He won several awards including the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris in 2004 at the Etienne Vatelot International Competition, a Bronze Medal in 2009 at the Beijing International Competition, and the Entente Internationale des Luthiers et Archetiers Prize in 2011 in Paris.

In 2012 he opens his workshop in the heart of Paris and devotes himself to making.

In 2021 he joined forces with Roland Houël to found Houël & Klépal, an innovative workshop that brings together restoration, new technologies, expertise and manufacturing around prestigious old instruments. His clients include numerous soloists, chamber musicians and tuttists, as well as foundations and collectors.

In 2006, the Caen orchestra created the "Appassionato Joël Klépal" violin competition, and in 2020, the "Appassionato Joël Klépal" cello competition.

Joël Klépal is a member of the Association des Luthiers et Archetiers pour le Développement de la Facture Instrumentale (ALADFI) and is regularly invited to serve as a jury for competitions and examinations.