String Queens bring their avant-garde style to the Ordway for the first time

Teachers during the week and concert performers on weekends, the String Queens are performing Friday at the Ordway Center in St. Paul for the first time. The trio consists of violinist Kendall Isadore, violist Dawn Johnson and cellist Élise Sharp. Together, they bring a unique soulful experience to any stage. The group's multifaceted repertoire ranges from the Baroque era and Jazz Age to today’s popular music. 

The three performers are all education workers in the Washington, D.C., area during the week and spend their time on the weekends as touring artists. Their high-profile performances include stints at Carnegie Hall in 2017 and on the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage in 2022.

“It’s an exciting life, but it’s a lot of hard work,” Sharp says. “During the day, we’re planning our lessons for our children, then in the evening we’re planning our nightlife as the String Queens.”

The group is rooted in classical training, but that doesn't stop them from experimenting in other genres with their traditional classical instruments.

“It’s not one size fits all,” Sharp says.

Their discography includes arrangements of popular music such as “Crazy,” by Gnarls Barkley, and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” by Aretha Franklin, which you can find on their recent studio album Rise, along with many other classic songs.

“There’s a technical foundation that’s established no matter what genre you’re playing; a part of that foundation is playing scales,” Johnson says. 

Playing scales is a practice that never leaves their music process, they say, along with finger exercises and improvisation.

The String Queens’ arrangements draw inspiration from choir voicing, resulting in a layering effect created by the soprano, alto and bass voicing of their instruments. The violin takes charge of the high treble, while the viola is the middle voice while double playing to fill what would be the second violin part, and the cello has the low bass parts. This seamless harmony among the instruments adds to the overall allure of their music.

The String Queens are all about taking chances and having fun in hopes of inspiring diverse audiences. 

“We’re not your ordinary ensemble,” Sharp says. “We’re not your traditional sit-down and be quiet and keep your hands still kind of concert. This is really a let loose and let the music go into your soul and heart and inspire you to think outside of the box.”

The String Queens will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Ordway in St. Paul. Tickets start at $23.