Kristin Siegfried Ballenger is a Boston based Violin Maker and a restorer at Reuning & Son Violins. She is a graduate of and former Instructor at the Chicago School of Violin Making and holds a degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. While still in school at CSVM she began working at Seman Violins, where she continued after graduation. In 2019 she began as instructor at the Chicago School of Violin Making with Executive Director Antoine Nédélec. She has recently moved to Boston and is focusing on new making along with her work at Reuning & Son Violins.

While always persuing artistic growth, community engagement is an important part of her life. She is an active teacher with both Learning Trade Secrets as well as individual teaching. As a participant in the Oberlin Violin Makers and Restorers workshops, she continues to pursue new techniques while continually refining her craft. An active member in the Violin Society of America, and is the proud inaugural recipient of the Francis Kuttner Memorial Fellowship.

Her instruments have been represented by Reuning & Son Violins, Indianapolis Violins, McLaughlin Violins, Reed Yeboah Fine Violins, Seman Violins, Grand Rapids Violins, Carriage House Violins, Potter Violins, and House of Note. She has also participated in exhibits by the Violin Society of America, Celebrating Women Luthiers, and the Contemporary Violin and Bow Makers Exhibition

Kristin served as a Board Member of the Violin Society of America from 2018-2024, finishing out her tenure as President while celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the VSA. She has contributed to committees for the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.