ArcoStrum has captured the hearts of audiences around the world with their charisma, dazzling virtuosity, and onstage chemistry. The duo champions unique concert programming through original transcriptions of beloved classical repertoire and traditional Chinese instrumental music infused with modern instrumentations, as well as virtuosic nonclassical instrumental progressive rock. ArcoStrum is committed to pushing boundaries and redefining the 21st-century violin-guitar art form, presenting progressive chamber music that is mixed-genre, multi-cultural, and cross-era.

ArcoStrum is Strauss Shi and TY Zhang. The two met at The Juilliard School and soon discovered their chemistry not only as friends but in music-making. ArcoStrum’s performances have been described as thrilling and brilliant, representing the highest level of technical excellence and musicianship.

Recent winner, and Audience Prize recipient, at the prestigious 2023 Concert Artists Guild (CAG) Victor Elmaleh Competition, ArcoStrum is the first ever violin-guitar duo to win the competition. The group’s name is a portmanteau fusing a bowing technique for the violin and the motion used to create sound on a guitar.