{"id":125866,"date":"2026-07-14T16:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T20:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=125866"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T20:30:11","slug":"interview-torontos-strings-from-paris-talk-about-careers-music-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/07\/14\/interview-torontos-strings-from-paris-talk-about-careers-music-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Toronto\u2019s Strings From Paris Talk About Careers, Music, And More"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_125868\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125868\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-14T120037.591.jpg\" alt=\"Strings From Paris classical and pop string ensemble (Photo courtesy of Strings From Paris)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-14T120037.591.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-14T120037.591-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-14T120037.591-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2026-07-14T120037.591-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125868\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Strings From Paris (Photo courtesy of Strings From Paris)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Based in Toronto, Strings From Paris is a collective of classically trained string players who\u2019ve become a working example of how to develop a viable career in today\u2019s music industry.<\/p>\n<p>The ensemble was founded in 2022 by six-time GRAMMY nominated producer Aaron Paris. Their repertoire includes everything from covers of pop hits to live shows, touring with major artists, artist collaborations and recording, music education, string arrangements, notation, and music education.<\/p>\n<p>LV caught up with Strings From Paris \u2014 Aaron Paris, Madeleine Kay (aka MaddieK), Andrew Park, Brendan Rogers, and Adrian Irvine \u2014 to talk about their successes, and their approach to the business.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q5MQKAh1Suc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Strings From Paris: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>The five musicians met first as students in various ensembles, including youth orchestras, and other programs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost of us were at UofT together,\u201d says Paris. He mentions playing with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. \u201cReally, it was just getting friends together that I thought were interested in other things,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe original idea was just to put a show together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The fledgling group put together a showcase concert. The program included traditional classical pieces along with string arrangements of modern RnB and pop, contemporary pieces by composers like Caroline Shaw, and others. \u201cAnd also featured artists from the city,\u201d Aaron adds.<\/p>\n<p>The showcase concert was a success, and brought in a mixed audience of classical music lovers, and people who\u2019d never been to a live classical music event before.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was really just a great experience for all of us. We kind of saw the potential,\u201d Paris says. \u201cWe wanted to keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Social Media Stardom And Beyond<\/h3>\n<p>The ensemble got a bump up in terms of profile and recognition from social media, where the group began to post their interpretations of pop hits. Their cover of Drake\u2019s hit Over in 2023 went viral after the Toronto singer reposted their video.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had just been doing some little clips that went online,\u201d Kay recalls. After the Drake video went viral, they got requests. \u201cPeople wanted the full version.\u201d They reimagined several more pop songs with lush string arrangements. \u201cWe had a really good time doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Success has come step by step, and their progress has come about organically, without the benefit of PR reps.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wish we had a PR person,\u201d Maddie laughs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s just all of us,\u201d adds Aaron. He credits good management and an active social media presence. \u201cA lot of the time it&#8217;s just us on socials.\u201d It\u2019s led to tours and working with some very high profile artists, including creating the string arrangements for Lauryn Hill and The Fugees&#8217; 25th Anniversary Tour in Paris, and performing with the band.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYeah, we were lucky that things come to us,\u201d Park says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of that has come to pass with personal relationships with artists,\u201d Maddie adds.<\/p>\n<p>As a producer as well as arranger and musician, Aaron Paris has worked with a number of artists on their albums. Strings From Paris would then perform live for videos, and when it did well, they also went on tour, including with American artist Russ (Russell Vitale) on his 2024 tour, and Canadian pop star Charlotte Cardin. The ensemble performed with Cardin on stage at the 2024 Polaris Music Prize gala.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt came about from that, a personal working relationship with them,\u201d Kay explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe continued to work on other songs with Charlotte with other projects,\u201d Andrew notes. Strings From Paris knows Cardin\u2019s team well by now. It\u2019s about diversifying their performance practice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019ve got to give a lot of credit to Aaron for that,\u201d Park says. \u201cA lot of us had wanted to do that. Aaron showed us how.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/enPP9jKT1dk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Classical vs. Pop<\/h3>\n<p>Classical music training and education doesn\u2019t necessarily prepare musicians for playing pop and RnB covers, or any other kind of music. Many people in the educational realm still look to keep musical genres separated into their own silos. It passes on that perspective to students.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had them in different parts of my brain,\u201d Andrew says. Making the mental leap allows you to bridge that gap. \u201cI remember having to fight an uphill battle to feel [&#8230;] justified in doing different styles of music.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Compartmentalizing different genres can hold you back in practical ways. \u201cIt&#8217;s too bad, because for me, I actually I had a lot of help in playing different genres and different instruments,\u201d Park says. At the same time, classical training makes it easier to jump from one to the other.<\/p>\n<p>The first time the group met with the intention of playing together as an ensemble, they improvised and jammed. \u201cI remember when we all first met and we were hanging out, and jammed together, we were able to fill in space harmonically,\u201d Andrew says. \u201cI was surprised that there were other players who could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Playing different styles, and also adding composition to performance, creates better and more flexible musicians. \u201cIn the end I think it&#8217;s one of the greatest teaching tools,\u201d Park says. \u201cI think the genre walls are a little unnecessary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He points out that technique and intonation can improve by playing pop music covers. \u201cIt can be helped so much when you&#8217;re playing the music you\u2019re already hearing,\u201d Andrew adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI agree with that completely,\u201d Kay says. While she\u2019s not practicing eight hours a day as she did in her undergrad days, performing and playing a variety of genres has added to her technical skills. \u201cI am playing a lot,\u201d she says. \u201cI have improved in certain ways, in terms of phrasing.\u201d As she points out, in covering pop songs, you\u2019re emulating a singing voice, which requires a high degree of control.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you&#8217;re actually trying to emulate somebody&#8217;s voice, I find that really improved my overall phrasing,\u201d Maddie says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ya4D_nX0he0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>The Bridgerton Connection<\/h3>\n<p>Strings From Paris covers have appeared on the last two bestselling Bridgerton soundtracks, including Ariana Grandes pov in Season 3, and both Usher\u2019s DJ Got Us Fallin\u2019 In Love and Camila Cabello&#8217;s Never Be The Same in Season 4.<\/p>\n<p>As Maddie explains, the opportunity came through a contact in the publishing house that works with Aaron. That contact met with the music supervisor of the Bridgerton series, and pitched him Strings From Paris. They were given the go-ahead to come up with some samples.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA little trial run,\u201d Brendan explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen they were looking for music for Season 3, it was a last minute call to action,\u201d Kay recalls. \u201cWe were able to put together four songs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Season 4, there was more time to prepare. It means recording a series of pieces, without knowing which one(s) will be chosen. \u201cYou have to throw a lot of stuff at the wall and see what sticks,\u201d Maddie explains. She says they\u2019ve released the songs that didn\u2019t get chosen for Bridgerton themselves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a lot of fun, and it&#8217;s great to be able to reimagine songs in that medium,\u201d Rogers says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe go crazy with layering and try to make it sound as cinematic as possible,\u201d Adrian says of their usual practice. \u201cWith Bridgerton, they asked for a more pared back, live sound.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA great fun challenge, for sure,\u201d adds Brendan.<\/p>\n<h3>Building A Diverse Career<\/h3>\n<p>It boils down to keeping your music practice nimble. \u201cHaving a diverse set of things that you\u2019re working on,\u201d Andrew says, \u201clive performance, recording, et cetera. All of those things have positive gains. There&#8217;s no wasted time,\u201d he adds. \u201cI think the holistic approach to artistry is mirrored in the holistic approach to building a career.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s not a fan of separating music students into different streams according to genre, simply because it\u2019s not realistic in terms of being able to work after graduation. He points out that, even outside of music, being fluent in various types of technology is crucial, and freelancing is more the norm than the expectation to land a seat with an orchestra that you\u2019ll occupy for years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI liked the arts because it&#8217;s inherently philanthropic,\u201d Andrew adds. \u201cYou have to find a need, a market, and contribute to that.\u201d Attitudes can hold you back. \u201cThere&#8217;s this fear, if you&#8217;re doing more than one thing, you&#8217;re bad. You&#8217;re trash.\u201d He points out that committing to a single genre pigeonholes potential income streams.<\/p>\n<h3>Education<\/h3>\n<p>Strings From Paris is looking to pass along their hard won knowledge of the industry to other string players.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve done some workshops in the past, in LA and Toronto,\u201d Aaron says. They\u2019re looking to do more of that in the future.<\/p>\n<p>Via their popular social media channels, they\u2019ve recently asked their fans and followers how they can help to get other trained string musicians on the road to a busy career. The post reads in part: \u201cGrowing up in the classical education system, we&#8217;re taught that our options are orchestra auditions, teaching, competitions. While those paths are valuable, they&#8217;re not the only paths.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re just reaching out to people on social media to see what they want, what they need,\u201d Paris says. The group will develop social media content to answer questions and offer information. \u201cThere\u2019s really not a lot of resources for string players today,\u201d he points out. In today\u2019s music industry, musicians need to know about much more than technique, including production, arranging, the use of electronics and pedals, and much more.<\/p>\n<p>Strings From Paris would like to step into that breach. \u201cAnd offer resources that string players want and don\u2019t know about,\u201d Aaron adds. They\u2019re looking to offer that online and also in face to face settings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve done workshops working string players as well as producers,\u201d Adrian says. \u201cAlso in schools.\u201d The group is aiming to teach younger student musicians the ropes of modern day careers in music. \u201cWishing we&#8217;d had this kind of knowledge earlier,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>As Andrew explains, it\u2019s about identifying where you want to go. \u201cIf someone wants an orchestra job, they might start by arranging, then put together a touring orchestra,\u201d he says. \u201cYou see more and more artists who want to tour with orchestras.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andrew recently performed with St. Vincent at Roy Thomson Hall, just one of a growing group of contemporary artists who are looking to add orchestral sounds to their music. \u201cWe&#8217;re seeing more and more of that.\u201d He also mentions approaching it the other way around, and persuading pop and other artists to using orchestral arrangements.<\/p>\n<p>The orchestral aspect should add a different dimension to the music, not simply exist as an add-on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s an important distinction,\u201d Park says. \u201cIt&#8217;s very easy to be a set piece.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In creating those arrangements, he adds, it\u2019s important to go back to classical training, and look at the way classical musicians would have written and arranged the music. Using those principles creates an effective arrangement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zQ8gQF2hIf4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>What\u2019s Next?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve launched this new series called SFP Rescore,\u201d Andrew says.<\/p>\n<p>It involves not adding strings to the mix, but resetting the song entirely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s all about reimagining their songs with just strings,\u201d Brendan says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn a video context that can draw people in,\u201d Adrian adds. The idea is to create a body of such works as a central hub, including videos. \u201cThere&#8217;s a visual aspect of it too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andrew recalls performing a <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalfm.ca\/concerts\/live-from-zoomerhall-strings-from-paris\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">concert at Zoomer Hall<\/a>. Host Mark Wigmore asked the group how they came up with the idea. \u201cA lot of what composers in the past did was reset music of [their own time],\u201d he points out. Park cites composers such as Piazzola, who created a whole subgenre of music by taking popular tangos and transforming them into orchestral music. Mozart and Bach, he points out, took the court dances of their own eras and created sublime orchestral pieces.<\/p>\n<p>It has the advantage of audience familiarity, Park says. \u201cThe syntax, the compositional structures, the ideas were all intimately known by the audience.\u201d There was an integral relationship between the concert hall and the broader culture.<\/p>\n<p>He believes a loss of that close relationship is \u201cone of the missing links\u201d responsible for why classical music has fallen out of consideration \u2014 still \u2014 for many people in the mainstream. \u201cI&#8217;ve always wanted to hear EDM and dubstep done at the orchestra,\u201d Park notes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the SFP Rescore stuff, it&#8217;s not just trying to back up singers, its innovating the sounds, and what&#8217;s possible on the instruments,\u201d Andrew says. \u201cWhat we&#8217;ve made so far is, and everything that SFP is doing, is really creating and continuing in the canon of classical music, and art music.<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s not just covers,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s carrying on that tradition of championing the music of our time that we really love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCreating those spaces where modern culture can coexist with the classical music that we love,\u201d Aaron adds.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You can keep up with Strings From Paris and their many activities online and off [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/stringsfromparis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<li>Find their Spotify channel [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/artist\/4c520eahgQwzeJopRch4k4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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