The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to experience some of the world’s best known instruments through a young, progressive lens. Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn hold Bachelor of Music degrees in music performance and music education, which have given each the technical foundation to explore the limits of her instrument and helped the group build a reputation for musical excellence. Alison performs on a newly-invented, electric cello, and Diana on a contemporary 5-string violin. Both use a variety of audio effects pedals. The Moxie Strings compose the majority of their pieces and arrange melodies from many countries, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching, mainstream melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms. The band’s polished, high-energy show continues to redefine strings’ role in contemporary music, and offers audience members a diverse, fun, musical experience.
Soon after forming in 2007, The Moxie Strings were inspired not only to perform, but also to teach.
Having made the exploratory journey from classical music to a world of eclecticism and music creativity, the three have now dedicated their careers to helping young musicians make this life-changing and transformative transition. Moxie clinics focus on musical self-discovery and the importance of incorporating socially and culturally relevant genres of music in the music classroom. They have taught clinics in over 100 schools throughout the US, and also present on their research and methodologies to teachers at many music education professional development conferences. During most clinics, The Moxie Strings perform for students on electric instruments, teach music by ear, and introduce non-classical playing styles. The group has researched and created an innovative sequence of activities designed to introduce improvisation to classically trained musicians, which they employ at every clinic. The Moxie Strings deliver their message in a fun, accessible way, and stand before students as the illustration of the many opportunities that music holds.
Diana Ladio is co-founded the instrumental fusion trio and educational ensemble, The Moxie Strings, and also tours as the fiddle player for Irish super-group, The Elders. Diana graduated with highest honors from the University of Michigan School Of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance with Teaching Certification. While at UofM, she had the honor of studying with renowned violist, Yizhak Schotten, as well as highly acclaimed string instrument pedagogue, Robert Culver. Diana is a studied Americana fiddler, song- writer and classical violist, and makes her living performing, recording, and teaching music. She is a graduate of the Mark O’Connor Strings Conference and Christian Howe’s Creative Strings Workshop, where she now returns as an instructor. She has studied with well-known string players such as Jeremy Kittel (Turtle Island String Quartet), Casey Driessen (Fiddler for Bela Fleck’s The Flecktones), Mike Block, Wendy MacIsaac, Christian Howes, and Alex Hargreaves.
Alison Lynn is a studied contemporary cellist, specializing in rhythmic and percussive playing styles. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University under the instruction of revered cellist and conductor, Bruce Uchimura. She is a graduate of the Mark O’Connor Strings Conference, where she had the opportunity to study with renowned cellists Rushad Eggleston, Mike Block, and Tristan Clarridge. She has also studied with celebrated contemporary cellist, Natalie Haas. Alison has performed with hip-hop icon Kanye West, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and has performed at The Palace at Auburn Hills, The Breslin Center, VanAndel Arena, among many others, and for crowds of up to 25,000 people. Alison is endorsed by NS Design Electric instruments.
“…top-notch, instrumental wizardry…” – Grand Rapids Press
“When it comes to The Moxie Strings, the name says it all.” – AnnArbor.com
“the future of music could not be in better hands.” – Current Magazine
