Jean-Benoît Stensland began his apprenticeship in Montreal under luthier Antoine Robichaud. This training enabled him to obtain in 1980 a Canada Art Council grant to study at the International School of stringed instruments making in Cremona, Italy. After graduating in 1984, he earned a certificate of merit for one of his violins from the Violin Society of America. Back in Montréal Jean-Benoît Stensland opened a workshop with luthier Thérèse Girard. He has developed techniques based on the Italian classical school, striving for a particular ideal tone while focusing on the visual aesthetics of the instrument. To date, Jean-Benoît Stensland has made more than 350 instruments including forty violoncellos, one of which is part of the collection of the Canadian Museam of Civilisations.