Chinese-American violinist Strauss Shi is emerging as one of today’s most dynamic multi- instrumental artists, redefining the dialogue between Eastern and Western musical traditions. Born into a family of professional Chinese instrumentalists, he has amassed an international performance career dedicated to reimagining the intersection of Chinese and Western musical languages. He is the violinist of ArcoStrum, the genre-defying powerhouse duo formed with guitarist TY Zhang, whose electrifying performances and bold cross-cultural programming have brought them to major stages worldwide. In 2023, ArcoStrum received both the Winner and Audience Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, becoming the first violin-guitar duo in the competition’s 70+ year history to earn this distinction.
Strauss’s 2025/2026 Season highlights as part of ArcoStrum include appearances in major festivals including Austin Chamber Music Festival, Kravis Center, USC Thornton School of Music, UT Dallas, New York’s Met Museum, Billings Symphony, Wharton Center, and more. ArcoStrum’s recent seasons include their sold-out 2025 China debuts in Chongqing and Kunming, as well as performances at their New York debut at Merkin Hall’s “The ArcoStrum Experience,” Krannert Center, Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), Chamber Music America, UNLV, Carnegie Citywide Series, Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, National Sawdust, and Caramoor. Strauss has appeared as a soloist with the Utah Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Downey Symphony Orchestra (across three seasons), USC Thornton Symphony, and Chamber Music Society of Colombo alongside Midori; and working with conductors including Vladimir Kulenovic, Carl St.Clair, Sharon Lavery, and Andrés Cárdenes. His solo recital include sold-out debuts in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
As an active chamber musician, Strauss has collaborated with world-renowned artists including Shmuel Ashkenasi, Midori, Lü Siqing, Kala Ramnath, Li Lin, Brian Lewis, Jon Kimura Parker, Vera Tsu Wei-ling, Qian Zhou, and members of the Silkroad Ensemble. Every season, Strauss regularly appears in leading music festivals and concert series throughout the United States, including Carnegie Hall Citywide, Caramoor, Krannert Center, Austin Chamber Music Festival, Kneisel Hall, Heifetz International Music Institute, Silkroad Global Musician Workshop, Juilliard Starling-DeLay Symposium, and more. In late 2021, Strauss founded the Monterey Piano Trio, alongside cellist Ben Fried and pianist Connie Kim-Sheng. The trio serves as the resident ensemble at Fried Music in Alhambra, CA, and was an Ensemble-in-Residence at the Heifetz International Music Institute in 2022.
Strauss is an active and passionate music educator specializing in both Western and Chinese instruments, committed to cultivating expressive and versatile musicians through teaching, community engagements, and masterclasses across the United States, Mexico, and China. He currently serves on the violin faculty at Fried Music in Alhambra, CA, where he leads a thriving violin studio, coaches chamber music and orchestral sectionals, directs the Prep Orchestra and Violin Ensemble within its rigorous Pre-College Program, and mentors a warm, high-achieving community of young musicians. His arts leadership includes leading Melody of China’s community engagement initiatives in partnership with The LA Music Center, Artistic Director of the North America Chinese Youth Orchestra, and board member of the Asian-American Music Artists Alliance.
Before delving into the world of violin, Strauss’s early years were marked by a dedicated exploration of Chinese instruments. His musical journey began with the erhu and gaohu, showcasing his talent within his renowned family ensemble, the Melody of China. Strauss continues to captivate audiences with the Melody of China at prominent venues and festivals, including the Disney California Adventure Lunar New Year, Montana Folk Festival, S.F. International Arts Festival, The Juilliard School, Davies Symphony Hall, and San Francisco Herbst Theatre where he made his erhu debut at age 8. With deep roots in traditional Chinese music and as a classically-trained violinist, Strauss is establishing himself as a young cultural ambassador and multi-instrumental artist who bridges both musical traditions on international stages.
Born in Nanjing, China and raised in San Francisco, Strauss began his violin studies with Zuohan Pan, Elizabeth Liang, and later Chen Zhao. He earned his Bachelor’s degree on full scholarship at The Juilliard School studying with Catherine Cho, and completed his Master’s degree as a Starling Fellow at the USC Thornton School of Music under Midori Goto and Pamela Frank. Strauss performs on a Georges Chanot violin (c.1845) and a modern bow by John Greenwood.