SEASON 17: METAMORPHOSIS
The ArcoStrum Experience
Saturday
Sept. 19, 2026 7:30pm
Uptown Blanco Ballroom
The ArcoStrum Experience is a one-of-a-kind concert that takes audiences on a non-stop, exhilarating musical journey, blending the traditional with the modern in ways never before heard. Merging Eastern and Western cultures, ArcoStrum seamlessly combines the evocative sounds of traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and dizi with the virtuosity of classical violin, guitar, and electric guitar/bass.
Prepare for an unforgettable ride through a dynamic range of musical landscapes—from re-imagined Chinese folk arrangements to the grandeur of Western classical masterpieces, and the energy of modern popular music. ArcoStrum’s innovative program offers an immersive, movie-like experience that promises a transformative musical journey that transcends boundaries, celebrating the evolution of music across cultures and generations.
Instruments:
Musical selections include Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Chinese folk arrangments, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, and Michael Jackson.
Artist Info
Arco Strum
Strauss Shi – violin, erhu, dizi | TY Zhang, classical guitar, electric guitar
Praised as “a first-rate ensemble among the new generation of performing artists,” ArcoStrum is a trailblazing violin-guitar duo hailed for their creative concert design, on-stage charisma, and innovative programming. A Winner and Audience Prize recipient at the 2023 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition—the first violin-guitar duo in CAG’s 70+ year history to achieve this—ArcoStrum is comprised of violinist Strauss Shi, a three-time international competition winner, and guitarist TY Zhang, the first and only Chinese classical guitarist to win the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition (GFA-ICAC).
The duo has brought its dazzling virtuosity and magnetic stage presence to sold-out audiences across China, Mexico, and the United States. Recent and upcoming highlights include debuts at New York City’s Merkin Hall, the Krannert Center, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, Austin Chamber Music Festival (with Empire Wild), Caramoor, Kravis Center, the Guitar Foundation of America, and more.
ArcoStrum believes in the power of music to spark imagination and is committed to delivering educational programs that inspire wonder, ignite passion, and empower the next generation. Their 2025 “RockoStrum” Summer Residency at the Fried Music School in Alhambra, CA brought students together to explore non-classical genres, arrange music collaboratively, and step outside their comfort zones.
On stage, they are ArcoStrum. Offstage, they are lifelong friends whose musical bond began as classmates at The Juilliard School and has evolved into a brotherhood rooted in curiosity, creativity, and a love for sharing music. ArcoStrum is represented by General Arts Touring, led by Tom Gallant.
Blanco
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