Dr. Carleen Hutchins is the recipient of four honorary doctorates and is the foremost authority on Violin Acoustics.

In 1963 she co-founded the Catgut Acoustical Society, best known for its pioneering work in the development of scientific insights and their application to the construction of new and conventional instruments of the violin family; from 20 original members, the Society has grown to include 800 members in 36 countries.

With the assitance of over 100 associates in the Catgut Acoustical Society, Dr. Hutchins developed the octet finly matched violins in a series of sizes from the tiny treble to the gigantic bass violin. Tests of the acoustic qualities of exquisite early violins were followed by years of experiment in the dimensions, fittings and resonances of a large number of instruments to create the violin octet.