FAQ

 My rates are determined by four key factors:

1. The part of the event you’d like music for (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception/dinner, or a combination).
2. The length of the performance. 
3. The performance location.
4. The performance date/season.

With travel fees covered, there is no limit to where I can travel. I am a regular to Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.

For events in Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties, there is no travel fee. For events in Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee, Lapeer, and Saint Clair counties, there is a flat $50 travel fee. For events further away and or Canada, contact me.

Absolutely! I book events in Canada all the time. Just submit an inquiry with the date and the location of your event and we can go from there.

My earliest experience performing at weddings dates back to 2006, when I formed a violin–guitar duo called ProArte. The duo ended when the guitarist accepted a position on a cruise ship. After that, I continued performing regularly with various musicians until securing a permanent position in 2018 with West Michigan’s Simply Strings Quartet. In 2021, I launched my own solo project, SJ Violin.

I’ve noticed that many musicians—intentionally or not—present their entire playing history as professional performance experience. I find this approach misleading, as it can suggest decades of professional experience for musicians who are still in their twenties.

No, I do not prorate my services for shorter performance times. For weddings, a minimum booking of the ceremony package is required. When you book me, I reserve the date exclusively for your event, prepare and rehearse your music, purchase any additional selections if needed, transport my equipment, and handle setup and teardown. The commitment involves far more than the minutes spent performing.

This policy also applies to any waiting time, including time spent during the ceremony, between events such as cocktail hour, or traveling between venues.

Yes! I can walk around while playing, however, I can't have all my songs memorized since my list is really long, so I still need to have a music stand somewhere near by.

Yes! For a small fee, you may request a hand-held or lavalier microphone for your officiant. Your venue must have an outlet within 50 feet of the ceremony area for this to work.  

This can save you a good amount of money since you won't need to pay a dj to set this up.

An electric violin sounds—well, electric. While it still retains the character of a traditional violin, its main advantages are full volume control and the ability to add sound effects. This makes it especially well-suited for pop, dance, hip-hop, and R&B music. I primarily use the electric violin for cocktail hours and parties, or when connecting directly to a DJ’s sound system.

For a more classical sound, I use a plug-in acoustic violin. It produces a rich, warm tone while offering the benefit of amplification, making it ideal for outdoor ceremonies and larger venues.

 I use a powerful Fishman Loudbox Performer amp (115 dB) along with two battery-powered JBL speakers that can run unplugged for up to five hours. This setup allows me to perform in venues of any size, both indoors and outdoors. 

 In addition to weddings and all that they entail, I perform for a wide range of events, including anniversary dinners, proposals, birthday parties, romantic dinners, baptisms and First Communions, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate dinners and galas, and Christmas or holiday parties, among many others. I am available for events of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. 

 There isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer. I can closely emulate most players, but every musician has a unique style and sound that can be difficult to replicate exactly. I also bring my own artistic touch to each performance, and I encourage you to trust me with that creative element. 

Yes, I do not play any kind of fiddle music whether Irish, country, or blue-grass.  If you have any specific style of music that you wonder if I could play,  just ask before you make your booking.

Yes! I play Arabic music and I have been adding more songs to my list- which has grown significantly. Check out my Arabic song list at the bottom of my playlist page.

Yes, I know and collaborate with many excellent musicians in the area. I can have a pianist, a string duo, trio, quartet. Just reach out and I can find the right instrumentation for your need.

Yes, I have played with DJs before. The ability to improvise on the spot with another musicians or a DJ is actually one of my strong suits. We also can pre-plan the songs that we want to play. All I'll need is an input channel on the DJs sound board to plug into and I will be good to go!

The violin is a beautiful instrument; however, it is rarely most enjoyable on its own. Even in early classical music, the violin was typically part of an ensemble or accompanied by piano or full orchestra. Fast forward to the 21st century, and the same principle applies to modern music. Just as singers perform with bands or electronic accompaniment, a solo violin covering contemporary songs needs musical support to sound full and engaging.

Backing tracks provide that accompaniment. I perform all the vocal melodies live on the violin, while the backing tracks supply the drums, bass, and other instrumental parts. This approach creates a rich, full sound while keeping costs lower—delivering a band-like experience without the expense of hiring an entire ensemble.

 Yes—most, if not all, string players cannot perform in any kind of precipitation, even a light drizzle. Extreme temperatures are also challenging: below 55°F or above 85°F, it becomes nearly impossible for our fingers to perform accurately, and such conditions can also damage our instruments and equipment. If your outdoor event falls in September, October, April, or May, it’s wise to have an indoor backup option. Please note that I cannot perform outdoors from November through March, regardless of the forecast. 

Yes, I have a general liability insurance policy for up to 2M  

I accept all major cards, checks, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

Yes I do. I request an advanced retainer payment to hold your date (about 25-30%) of the booking amount. The remaining balance could be paid in any installments that we agree upon, as long as the final payment is made no longer than 30 days before your event, or depending on the time of booking.

Tips are always welcome but not expected. I will not have a tip jar at your event nor will I be soliciting tips from your guests. If you would like to leave me a tip, I will gladly accept one but the best tip you can leave is a good review for me. 

 Absolutely. If a vendor approaches you without a contract, it’s a major red flag. A contract protects you from unexpected issues and ensures all details are clear. My contract includes everything from requested performance times to the number of song requests you can make. Additionally, I send out a detailed form before the event to gather all the necessary information. This allows me to ensure your event runs smoothly, exactly as planned, with no surprises. 

Over my years of playing for weddings or events, I have yet to cancel on a client. but since you never know what life might bring. I do have a cancellation policy and it is clearly stated in my contract. We can go over this once we are ready to move ahead with a booking.

Send me a message here  with your event date, location, and any important details about your event, and I will reach out to you. Allow me 12-24 hours to respond and check your spam folder after.