I need help chosing a violin for my 11 year old!!!?

Has anyone heard of Cecilio brand? I found that brand to be really cheap on line. I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I don't want him to be discouraged by a crappy sounding violin either.

Please give me personal opinions. And other brand suggestions. I don't really need web addresses to stores yet, just real info.

I need help chosing a violin for my 11 year old!!!?movie theatre

That sounds like an eBay violin. These are very poor sounding instruments and are referred to as "VSOs" (violin shaped objects) by violinists. I would recommend that you look into renting a used violin or a rent-to-buy program. Unlike piano, a violinist really needs to hear the notes played, get them in tune and achieve a lovely tone - all of which cannot be done on a cheap violin. Sharmusic.com is a well known online shop and they offer violin rentals starting at $16/month.

However, if your daughter is starting out then this Cecilio violin can do the trick for the first few months since she will be learning how to hold the violin and bow and how to read music, etc. Be sure that the violin is "set up" when you buy it or else you will have to pay your local violin shop some money to put the strings and the bridge on. Also, make sure your daughter put LOTS of rosin on her new bow or else it won't make a sound.

I need help chosing a violin for my 11 year old!!!?playhouse opera theater

I've never heard of that brand before in my 15 years of teaching. Its really risky to buy a violin online though, you just never know what you'll end up getting, plus you need to make sure its the right size, some kids aren't ready for a full size and may need a 3/4 size violin(which is the next size down from a full size). At all costs avoid Chinese Violins, especially SkyLark Violins, they are just slapped together and don't stay in tune. It's really best to go to a music store and have someone measure him for a violin (preferably a string specialist, sometimes employees at music stores are more geared towards band instruments) I know you said you don't need websites but sharmusic.com is great and you can get a free catalog, plus they have an 800 # you can call with questions and violinist.com is pretty good for more info. Good luck and I hope your son enjoys many years of playing. Oh, another general rule if the violin is German, French, or Italian made chances are they are pretty good, there are a lot of reasonable German Student Models that are good!!!
you should rent the first one. The size she needs will change from age 11 to age 16 about 2 or 3 times. Many places do 1 year or 8 month rental contracts.

After that, if your child is still interested in the violin, she will know exactly what she wants.

(I've been through it with 3 girls)
I bought this violin for my husband, he likes it. Read the reviews it got.
For real info about real violins (or any other stringed instrument) you should find someone who either teaches how to play violins or who sells and repairs stringed instruments. I play the cello, not the violin, but I know that for cellos there are no brand names, and you get what you pay for. There are some places where you can rent instruments, this might be good if you aren't sure if your child will continue with the violin for long. You really should get advice from a professional in your area.
She needs a rental one. It is much cheaper than buying a violin.

I bought my violin at the Amati Violin Shop. It is in Texas, if you google it you should see their website. Either email them about renting one or get their number (probably on their website).

You first need to get your daughter sized for the violin before you rent one. The average 11 year old would need a 3/4 size violin.