Elizabeth City, N.C. — Classical music knew no boundaries Wednesday night as The String Queens took over the Mickey L. Burnim Performing Arts Center, delivering a set that honored the soul of the 90s while showcasing their own fresh sound.
In a diverse crowd that spanned four generations, The String Queens, an all-female trio of Washington, D.C.-based string instrumentalists, took the audience on a soulful ride that featured Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing),” Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love,” and an audience-pleasing rendition of a Mary J. Blige classic that invited the crowd to join in singing, “Real love. I’m searching for a real love.”
The performance, part of the Community Connections Lecture Series, was titled “Strumming Authentic Soul” and lived up to its name. Blending soulful tunes with classical orchestration, The String Queens delivered a show that merged their classical roots with the sound of soul music from their childhood.
“While classical music is our first love, we can’t get away from that sound that we grew up knowing—soul,” one of the String Queens shared with the audience. “We all have a soundtrack to our lives. It’s the music we grew up on. It was the music playing when we got up at 6:30 Saturday mornings.”
The performance was a celebration of music and a nod to its deep connection to culture. The trio’s stage presence and harmonious blend of string instruments brought the audience to their feet as they transformed classic R&B hits into something timeless, in the most effortless way.
Kendall Isadore (violin), Dawn Johnson (viola), and Elise Sharp’s (cello) song list range from baroque to jazz to today’s most popular hits. They have performed at prestigious venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
School teachers by day and performers by night, The String Queens took a moment to acknowledge the importance of music education. “Shoutout to the music department here at ECSU. The world would be so dry without music,” said Isadore.
Their comments reflected their belief in the power of music to bring love, hope and an imagination.
More than a concert, Wednesday’s event was a cross-generational experience that captured the rich musical heritage shared by baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z—proving that music has no limits.
For more information on ECSU’s performance and lecture series or to sponsor an event, visit the ECSU Community Connections page.