Bursting with energy and enthusiasm, Highstrung! String Quartet and Ensembles play their way into the hearts and minds of listeners everywhere they appear. Elizabeth, Eric, and Justin, violins; David, viola; Joshua, cello; - all children of Ron and Aletha Knopp - have established themselves as a dynamic group of young artists. These adaptable musicians have played hundreds of events.

Not only do they captivate concert goers and music enthusiasts, they also set the perfect atmosphere for almost any occasion from small

private parties to large corporate affairs. Live music for special occasions is a lovely tradition creating memories that will last a lifetime.

These polished musicians continue to press forward, practicing many hours each week to serve this community with excellence. You may reserve them for your event, spur-of-the-moment or months-in-advance. Rates are reasonable and available upon request.

Eric Knopp, violin

Eric has been exposed to music since before he was born. He began formal training at the age of six. He currently studies violin with Cindy Petty. During the 2007-2008 season, Eric is honored to be concert master for the Oregon Pro Arte Youth Chamber Orchestra. In addition to music, Eric is keenly interested in computers, web design, photography, and videography.

A Conversation with Eric

How long have you been playing your instrument? 11 years
 
Why did you pick your instrument? My older brother played it. 

What is your favorite non-musical activity? What's a non-musical activity?
 
What is one of your favorite pieces? Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland
 
Who is your favorite composer? Beethoven
 
What is the most challenging aspect of working with your siblings? Leaving previous disputes outside of rehearsal.
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of working with your siblings? Scheduling is easier, having fun together.
 
Who/what has been your greatest musical influence? My Parents, Grandparents, and Cindy Petty.

Justin Knopp, Violin

At age 14, Justin is the youngest member of the Knopp family and Highstrung. For several years Justin has assisted the quartet by being the quartet’s roadie and mascot. But three years ago Justin grew into a musician in his own right.

With a dedication to both the violin and piano, Justin’s abilities are allowing Highstrung to form new musical configurations. Justin has been the principle second and concert master of the Pro Arte Conservatory Strings. He currently does not have a Violin teacher, and studies Piano from Shirley Brendlinger.

Justin’s most enjoyable school subjects are history, and reading. During his free time Justin has fun designing things with Legos, and doing such sports as Basketball, Football, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Away from the practice room Justin is also involved in Speech and Debate. He has been an auxiliary member for debate, and is also doing Biblical Apologetics.

A Conversation with Justin

How long have you been playing your instrument? 8 years, will be 9 in April

Why did you pick your instrument? I have always loved the piano more than any other instrument, the violin was needed so I could be a part of the quartet, and I think because everyone else played it.

What is your favorite non-musical activity? Football, Basketball and Ultimate Frisbee

What is one of your favorite pieces? Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland

Who is your favorite composer? That is almost an impossible question now that I have been in music for so long. I can usually find a new favorite piece about every week. I enjoy listening to music by Beethoven, Debussy, and Hans Zimmer.

What is the most challenging aspect of working with your siblings? With us being siblings it is harder because if one of them does something that would hurt my feelings I can fight back, which I probably wouldn't do if I was working with friends.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with your siblings? Well, first of all, we can work more often, second it's fun working with my brothers, it gives me time to actually be with them, and third because we are related and know each other well, when David and Josh pick out the music we almost always unanimously love what is picked.

Who/what has been your greatest musical influence?My truly awesome piano teacher Shirley Brendlinger and my amazing mother and father.

Elizabeth Knopp, Violin

At three years of age, Elizabeth was given a 32nd size violin because she kept pestering her older siblings to play theirs. Seventeen years later she was studying with Amy Schwartz Moretti, Concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony! Though her time with Amy was short, it was incredibly inspiring. Elizabeth participated in the two year Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) Long-Term Teacher's Training Program towards certification in violin teaching, Elizabeth has a full violin studio with students ranging from age four through adult. She coaches young people in preparation for speech competitions and holds conferences for young ladies ages 12-16, encouraging them to live purposeful lives (beneaththesurfacegirl.com). Because of her many out-of-state trips, Elizabeth is now mostly retired from Highstrung! but she still enjoys returning to the group to substitute for Eric or Justin or to be part of a concert. 

A Conversation with Elizabeth

How long have you been playing your instrument? 19 years, since the age of three.

Why did you pick your instrument? Originally I started to play because I wanted to be like my older brother and sister. I also took piano, flute, voice and viola lesson. The violin stuck with me.

What is your favorite non-musical activity? I love traveling and seeing new places.

What is one of your favorite pieces? Beethoven's fifth symphony, second movement.

Who is your favorite composer? Dvorak

What is the most challenging aspect of working with your siblings? Being the only girl:-) Often it feels like three against one. But the boys are pretty good at negotiating.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with your siblings? Performing and knowing that I will be able to talk about that performance thirty years down the road, around a table with arthritic fingers.

Who/what has been your greatest musical influence? The Pacifica and Arianna String Quartets

Joshua Knopp, Cello

Age 18, Joshua has been studying the cello for 12 years. His future plans include teaching privately, coaching chamber music, performing chamber music, and holding a principle position in an orchestra. Joshua’s other interests are teaching Biblical Apologetics and discussing music, worldviews, religions, politics and history. When needing to discharge his pent up energy He enjoys playing Ultimate and Basketball with his friends.

Teaching is one of Joshua's greatest passions. He currently has a cello studio of 10 students and is always eager to teach others. This year, Joshua has won a full time seat in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He continues his musical studies with Nancy Ives, principle cellist of the Oregon Symphony. Joshua has been accepted to the University of Missouri – St. Louis to study with cellist Kurt Baldwin of the Arianna String Quartet. He will began his studies there in Fall of 2009.

A Conversation with Joshua

How long have you been playing your instrument? I will have been playing Cello for 11 years this June

Why did you pick your instrument? I actually started my musical career as a violinist. The reason I switched to cello was because I hated having to stand while I practiced. Then, over time, I have developed the deepest love for the cello's tone, range, and depth.   

What is your favorite non-musical activity? This is a toss up between Debate and Ultimate.....but I think I will go with Ultimate as my all time favorite, non-musical, activity.   

What is one of your favorite pieces? I have to tell you it changes from month to month depending on what we're working on. The piece that has been in my top ten the longest is Mozart's Requiem. It is an amazing work that gives me chills every time I hear it!

Who is your favorite composer? Beethoven hands down. He wrote the most stunning music for every kind of classical ensemble. Just listen to his Ninth Symphony, Violin Concerto, and Sting Quartet Op. 131. Those three pieces will knock your socks off!

What is the most challenging aspect of working with your siblings? Treating them with the same respect that I have for the other musician in my life. If I don't respect their ideas then they have no reason to respect mine. We can't all be right all the time so sometimes we have to give a little on bowings or phrasing. This is way harder then it sounds. Just think what it feels like to have your younger sibling's idea win the vote!

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with your siblings? The friendship. In the many years of playing with them I have come to deeply love each of them more and more. We have are differences, sure, but there is nothing more rewarding then having your best friends live in the same house as you. My other friendships may come and go but they are always here for me and I am always here for them. What more could I ask for?

Who/what has been your greatest musical influence? Naomi Blumburg. She was my cello teacher for five or so years. She encouraged me do summer chamber music camps, orchestras, and teach. From these experiences I began to think about music as a career. Naomi talked through my options and help me set a road map that I'm still following to this day. Without her I don't think I would playing music now. I find myself striving to model her in every aspect of my career. I hope and pray that I can have the same compassion, encouragement, helpfulness, musicality, and humility that she possesses. Naomi is by far the greatest musical influence I have.    

David Knopp, Viola

David has been studying viola for 11 years. He has had the opportunity to participate in a number of different orchestras and ensembles including the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra, MasterWorks Festival Orchestra, the Oregon Pro Arte Youth Chamber Orchestra. and several summers at the Britt Chamber Music Camp.

He is presently attending Multnomah University (formerly Multnomah Bible College) and maintaining a private studio of violin and viola students.

A Conversation with David

How long have you been playing your instrument? 10 years.

Why did you pick your instrument? When Mom asked if I would like to play the viola, I didn't know what it was. After all this time, I'm still introducing this instrument as "a big violin".

What is your favorite non-musical activity? I love to teach. Right now I'm teaching a comparative religion class. I really look forward to seeing the students every week.

What is one of your favorite pieces? As far as I'm concerned, it had better be the piece I'm currenlty working on. When I'm not working, I really enjoy the Beethoven an Barber violin concerto. I know, I'm suppose to be a loyal violist. But it really is the best the violin can offer.

Who is your favorite composer? I've been playing a lot of Vaughan Williams . He is the best composer for stringed insturments. His colors and melodies are comfortable to play and very rewarding. However, this last summer I was introduced to the glories of Aaron Copland. That is great music.

What is the most challenging aspect of working with your siblings? Aside from the normal challenges of just being siblings, it can be a struggle to balance between work and relationship. Sometimes our passion for certain music interpritations can come at the expences of just being nice.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working with your siblings? I know how they work. After working with these guys for so long, it is surprisingly difficult to sit with other musicians. Plus, we're really comfortable together. So that makes rehearsal a lot more efficient..

Who/what has been your greatest musical influence? Music. I find every song and sound inspirational --either because I love it or because I hate it.