The String Queens Compose Freedom: How Three Visionary Women Are Redefining Classical Music Through Culture, Education, and Legacy

For years, The String Queens have captivated audiences by proving that classical music can be both timeless and transformative.

Now, the acclaimed Washington, D.C.-based trio is entering a groundbreaking new chapter—one rooted in original storytelling, cultural reflection, and the enduring spirit of Black resilience.

This Juneteenth, The String Queens released “Troubled Liberty,” their first-ever original composition, marking a defining artistic milestone for an ensemble already celebrated for its authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound. More than a musical work, the piece stands as a meditation on freedom, sacrifice, perseverance, and the generations of Black Americans whose courage continues to shape the nation’s story.

For violinist Kendall Isadore, violist Dawn Johnson, and cellist Élise Sharp, music has always been about more than performance. It has been about purpose.

Together, The String Queens have created a distinct artistic identity that seamlessly bridges classical music, jazz, gospel, R&B, contemporary sounds, and cultural storytelling. Their ability to transcend genres has earned them acclaim on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the We Are One Presidential Inauguration Concert honoring Vice President Kamala Harris, and The Championships, Wimbledon.

Yet their greatest impact may exist beyond the spotlight.

Recognized by Washington’s WUSA9 as “school teachers by day and concert performers by night,” the trio has become a powerful force within music education, using their gifts to inspire young musicians and advocate for equitable access to the arts.

Their dedication to education has been recognized through honors including the DC Jazz Festival’s Jazz Education Award, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Aspire Award, Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Arts D.C. residency, and national partnerships with organizations such as the Save The Music Foundation to provide professional development focused on social-emotional learning and trauma-informed arts education.

Each member carries a remarkable story of excellence and service.

Houston native Kendall Isadore, a Howard University graduate and former science educator, has performed alongside artists including Roberta Flack, Josh Groban, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Ariana Grande, and Miley Cyrus. Today, she continues shaping young lives as Director of Enrollment Management at Bishop McNamara High School while remaining deeply committed to faith and artistic excellence.

Miami native Dawn Johnson, a Juilliard-trained violist and recipient of Washington, D.C.’s Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Performing Arts Teaching, has built a legacy as both an internationally recognized performer and a transformative educator. Her work has earned recognition from the GRAMMY Music Educator Awards, GLAMOUR Magazine, and numerous arts institutions dedicated to nurturing the next generation.

Cellist Élise Sharp, a lifelong Washingtonian and Howard University graduate, has performed with icons including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Tye Tribbett, and Dionne Warwick. She has also performed for multiple United States presidents while dedicating more than two decades to mentoring young musicians through the DC Youth Orchestra Program and higher education.

Together, they represent something larger than music itself.

Their latest release, Troubled Liberty, signals a bold evolution in their artistry.

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The original composition arrives during Black Music Month and Juneteenth celebrations, offering listeners a profound reflection on what freedom means, the sacrifices that made it possible, and the responsibility to preserve the cultural legacies that continue to inspire future generations.

It is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

For The String Queens, the mission has always been clear: create experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine.

With Troubled Liberty, they are doing exactly that.

Not simply performing history.

But composing it.