Richmond has a vibrant music scene, and when it comes to violins, the city boasts some of the finest talent around. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a corporate event, or a private celebration, these nine violinists and ensembles bring elegance, artistry, and unforgettable performances to every stage.
1. Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Johnson graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College with a BM in Music Education and Performance. She earned her Masters Degree in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently an orchestra director for Hanover County Public Schools.
Jennifer performs regularly in the Richmond area as a wedding violinist and is former concertmaster of the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a sub for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, where she has performed with guest artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Ann Hampton Callaway, and The Voice winner, Jordan Smith.
Jennifer has also been a featured violin soloist at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. She has performed with various string quartets, chamber groups, and symphony orchestras. She has also been a guest conductor for district orchestra events in Virginia. Jennifer is a member of the American String Teachers Association and the National Association for Music Education.
2. Emily Monroe
Emily Monroe has served as a section violinist in the Richmond Symphony since 2022. She is also an active chamber musician and baroque violinist, having recently performed in concert series for the Central Music Society of Central Virginia, the Washington National Cathedral, Richmond Chamber Players, and Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble.
3. Fiddlin’ Mike Ferry
Mike Ferry is an internationally-known fiddler, songwriter, author, and teacher who lives in the Richmond, VA area. He has performed both as a solo artist and as a member of classical, pop rock, alt-country, Irish traditional, and liturgical ensembles. His work has been featured in the Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN, Christian Science Monitor, Newsmax, Good Morning America, Irish Music Magazine, Virginia This Morning (CBS 6), Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Currents (WCVE), Spin Magazine, and radio shows and podcasts around the world.
4. Elizabeth Kilpatrick
Violinist Elizabeth Kilpatrick is active as a teacher and performer in Richmond, VA. She maintains a private violin studio in Northside and works as a freelance violinist often performing with the Richmond Symphony, Spacebomb Studios, and Candlelight Concerts. Elizabeth also actively seeks out opportunities to bring inclusion to the arts by working with students with learning differences and students from low socio-economic communities.
5. Lindsey Stirling
I love to play the violin, dance, write music, edit videos, play dress up, and perform. So, I combined it all together and this is what happened. 🙂 Subscribe to my channel and be updated when I release new music!
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6. Richmond String Quartet / String Poets
Quince String Quartet was founded in 2018 by violinist Faith Hofma. QSQ is a network of classically-trained, professional musicians who perform for special events in a variety of musical genres. We are dedicated to creating the right environment for our clients’ events & fostering an atmosphere of engagement and warmth. We perform at events in Virginia and New England.
7. Raymond Lai
Raymond Lai is a classically trained violinist with a rich musical history from Northern Virginia. Introduced to the violin at a young age through the Suzuki method, Raymond’s passion for music blossomed under the guidance of dedicated teachers and countless hours of practice. By age 10, he was performing with the McLean Youth Orchestra, where he developed his skills and love for orchestral music, continuing through his teenage years.
8. Laura Frazelle
Violinist Laura Frazelle grew up in Washington State and settled in Virginia after graduate school, where she has worked extensively as both a performer and educator. She has been a core member of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra since 2016, and served as a section violinist with the Richmond Symphony for the 2018-2019 season. She has performed with many groups in the tri-state area, including the Baltimore Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Washington Concert Opera, Choral Arts Society of Washington, Choralis, New Orchestra of Washington, Urban Arias, Maryland Lyric Opera, and Virginia Opera Company.
9. “Backyard Violinist” – Ellen Cockerham Riccio
Ellen Cockerham Riccio began offering concerts in backyards during a time of isolation, uncertainty, and digital overload. Although she became known as “the backyard violinist”, many of the concerts took place in front yards and cul-de-sacs, with friends, family, and neighbors in attendance (well-distanced, of course!). For many, these concerts brought a much-needed sense of connection with others, as well as hope and even joy during a difficult time.
Final Thoughts
From classical soloists to contemporary ensembles, Richmond’s violin talent is second to none. Each of these artists brings something unique to the stage, making them perfect choices for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations in 2025.