ArcoStrum’s Creative Chemistry – A Friendship Shaping Modern Chamber Music

ArcoStrum is a trailblazing violin-guitar duo who made history by winning the 2023 Concert Artists Guild (CAG) Victor Elmaleh Competition—the first of its kind to do so in over 70 years. Featuring violinist Strauss Shi and guitarist TY Zhang, both internationally acclaimed musicians, ArcoStrum is known for its dynamic performances and genre-blending repertoire.

Known for their innovative mix of classical, Chinese traditional, and progressive rock influences, ArcoStrum is redefining the violin-guitar art form for modern audiences. They’ll be with us at the 8th Annual Chamber Music Festival.

I was excited to talk with them about their process and what it means to be a genre-bending duo…

Can you share how ArcoStrum was formed while you were at Juilliard? What inspired you both to create this violin-guitar combination?

Strauss: What ArcoStrum has become today wasn’t exactly what it was before! In 2023, when we won the Concert Artists Guild Competition, we named ourselves the best friend’s duo in order to enter the competition! Through many months of preparation for each round during the competition, we’ve discovered how our friendship, chemistry, and musicality of the last 9 years have prepared us for this moment! Thus, ArcoStrum was born! We are still best friends… I think. Haha! 

You have such amazing energy performing together. How does your friendship influence your performances and the creative process? What have you learned about creative collaboration?

TY: Our chemistry and growth are hugely based on the foundation of our friendship. We enjoy rehearsal and arranging together very much; time flies by when we are in a flow. I appreciate so much that we always inspire each other with new ideas pumping into our minds in the middle of our rehearsal sessions. We aren’t working together but playing and hanging out to make great music that we both value and are passionate about! 

ArcoStrum is known for its fusion of classical music, traditional Chinese instrumental music, and progressive rock. It’s an exciting and fresh mix. How did you develop this eclectic mix of genres?

Strauss: We both studied classical genres our whole lives at Juilliard and USC with our teachers. Traditional Chinese music came from my childhood when all of my family members played multiple Chinese instruments at home – the root of my musical upbringing before I entered the classical music world. Progressive rock came in when ArcoStrum was formed, and we were inspired by the virtuosic counterpoints and writings of the band Polyphia! These genres are very important, yet they have different sides to who we are!

You have performed at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and have upcoming performances at places like Merkin Hall and with us at Rancho La Puerta. How do you approach connecting with diverse audiences in such varied spaces?

TY: We always think as if we are not limited as musicians, meaning we think as artists, not violinists or guitarists. We find a piece or repertoire we like first, then focus on making it work afterward with our imagination and artistic vision. We truly believe first – you must trust the vision, and results will eventually come!

What do you hope the audience takes away from your performances?

TY: Our biggest mission is to allow everyone to enjoy, be inspired by, laugh, and find moments that resonate with them through the concert experience we bring to them. We strive to make music that reflects our musical values of movie-like experiences, with multi-cultural, cross-eras, and diverse genres, and presented with a high-level, humorous, and entertaining atmosphere.

Join us the week of February 1st for our Chamber Music Festival. Visit ArcoStrum’s instagram.