Friday, March 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm
DSTU 111, Dale Mabry Auditorium
About ArcoStrum
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, featuring everything from reimagined classics and traditional Chinese music to virtuosic progressive rock. 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).
ArcoStrum 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, Howland Chamber Music Circle, Austin Chamber Music Festival (with Empire Wild), the Kravis Center, Caramoor, Guitar Foundation of America, Billings Symphony, University of Texas at Dallas, Wharton Center, and more.
ArcoStrum believes in the power of music to spark imagination and is committed to delivering thrilling educational and community programs that inspire wonder, ignite passion, and empower the next generation. On tour, they regularly reach students from kindergarten through college through interactive workshops, school concerts, and speaking engagements. This past summer, they offered a two-week Summer Residency at the Fried Music School in Alhambra, CA—titled “RockoStrum”—that brought students together in small bands to explore non-classical genres, arrange music collaboratively, and step outside their musical 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. Every note they play reflects hours of joyful collaboration and a deep respect for both tradition and the thrill of reinvention. Their name, ArcoStrum, fuses ‘arco’ (the bowing technique for violin), and ‘strum’ (the iconic gesture for guitar), symbolizing their unique musical identity. ArcoStrum has been featured by The Violin Channel, The Strad, and Chamber Music America Magazine.
ArcoStrum is represented by Concert Artists Guild.
