The String Queens Are The Epitome Of Black Excellence

Kendall N. Isadore, Dawn Michelle Johnson, and Élise Sharp are the String Queens. The trio, comprised of two violists and one cellist, are known for creating innovative musical experiences through their performances. And if you’re like me, you’re captivated by their clean and fashionable aesthetic.

We caught up with the group to talk about their origin, style and instruments.

“We came together in a few different ways and in different seasons of our lives,” Kendall shared. “We know our meeting one another was divine intervention. Élise and Dawn were the first to meet, nearly 20 years ago through a Baltimore-based symphony they were both part of. What may have begun as a formality eventually forged a friendship and sisterhood that would connect them forever.”

A wedding would bring all three of the women together. “When Dawn got a call to put together a string trio for a wedding gig, she felt it was the perfect opportunity to have our worlds collide.” It was fate for the three to get together. The gig led to their future.

Next, what would they call themselves? According to Dawn, “It really was an ‘aha’ moment, and it happened in the most ordinary of places.”

After a long day of rehearsal in Élise’s whiteboard-filled basement in Northeast D.C. they started brainstorming their name. “We started throwing ideas onto the dry-erase board: String Theory. Spectrum. String something-or-other…And then someone said The String Queens. Everything just clicked. We looked at each other and there was this collective, “Yes. That’s it.” It felt regal, bold, and powerful. And it also spoke to the young girls we were teaching and mentoring. It was an invitation for them to embody royalty in everything they do, to hold their heads high, and to know their worth.”

But more importantly, they took a vow to live up to their moniker. “The name carries a certain level of expectation. A queen is a role model. She leads. She carries herself with confidence and purpose. So from that moment on, we knew we had to live up to the name.”

The String Queens Style

Kendall, Dawn and Élise, all have a great collective style and individual fashion sense. “As The String Queens, our style is polished, sophisticated, and unexpected from your typical string trio. We love a look that feels elevated and fashion-forward, while allowing each of our individual personalities to shine. We gravitate toward bold, bright colors and sleek silhouettes, while maintaining a level of comfort that allows us to perform without constraints,” they explained. “We strive for coordination without looking like triplets. Each one of us brings her own personality and style to the group, and that’s what makes our look so much fun.  Our wardrobe is part of the experience. It sets the tone for the audience before we even play the first note, letting them know they’re in for a unique, unexpected, and unforgettable experience.”

And their performances are even more beautiful. “We don’t lead with the sense of performing a concert for an audience. We lead with and construct a concert from the perspective of the this question, “What do we want our audiences to take away from the experience – musical or otherwise?” We incorporate storytelling throughout each performance and we select repertoire that speaks to the intergenerational connection amongst us all as we breathe in the universal language of music.”

As Black women, the String Queens are forging new paths for similar acts. “As Black women musicians, we’ve had to navigate in spaces where we haven’t always seen people who look like us. In the classical world especially, representation has been historically limited, so sometimes we’ve had to walk into a room and immediately establish we belong there,” said Élise.

“There are assumptions about what a violinist looks like, what a violist sounds like, and what kind a music a cellist should play. We’ve decided not to let those expectations define us. Instead, we’ve embraced the opportunity to challenge them.”

The String Queens latest single “Troubled Liberty” is available for streaming.