Available to perform as a soloist or part of an ensemble!
new number! (657) 366-1232
Nancy Kuo | Violin/Viola/Cello | Music Event Contracting | Instruction
new number! (657) 366-1232
about nancy
Nancy is a classically trained and improvising violinist, violist, and cellist with more than thirty years of experience. Originally from the Wild West and a graduate of Berklee College of Music, she now works in Los Angeles as a busy session player, performer, and teacher. She has toured with the off Broadway musical Titanic, the George Cole Quintet, and Vaud and the Villains, and has performed and recorded with many well known artists. A full list of her work from 2011 to 2023 can be found on the Events page.
Her career has taken her everywhere, from surprising Megan Thee Stallion with an electric violin set to performing cello with Courtney Love Cobain, recording for Janelle Monáe, playing for inmates with the George Cole Quintet, joining chamber groups and indie bands, and even giving socially distanced concerts from her car.
Comfortable in many styles, Nancy plays jazz, pop, indie rock, world fusion, and more. She appears on TLC wedding specials and performs regularly for film, soundtracks, theater, and local bands. She proudly represents L R Baggs for violin and Shadow Electronics for cello.
Nancy has played at major Los Angeles venues such as the Youtube Theater, Peacock Theater, Dolby Theater, Skirball Cultural Center, Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge, and many others. Her studio work includes sessions at Sony Pictures, Eastwest Studios, Warner Brothers Eastwood Stage, and more.
Her film and television credits include work for the Super Bowl, The Sims, Netflix’s Chef’s Table, CW’s Hart of Dixie, and the feature Planet World. She has also contributed to commercials for Facebook, LA Music Center, Fruit of the Loom, Hewlett Packard, WEtv, and BainUltra, and has served as an on set string consultant for Yamaha and Hartmann.
Nancy is also dedicated to teaching. She owns Leggy Fish Music Lessons, offering personalized in home private and group instruction. Along with violin, viola, and cello, she enjoys exploring piano, sitar, mandolin, and ukulele.
Notable venues she has performed at in Los Angeles include the Youtube Theater in Inglewood, Downtown Disney Live, the Peacock Theater, Dolby Theater, the Skirball Cultural Center, Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge, the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Noor, the Echoplex, the Bootleg Theater, the Dream Hotel, the Luxe Hotel, the Satellite, The Mint, The Rose, and the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills. She has also recorded at top studios such as Sony Pictures Scoring Stage, Eastwest Studios, Warner Brothers Eastwood Scoring Stage, the Evergreen Stage, and Tangent Recording Studios, along with many other respected studios. Below is a short list of high profile artists she has worked with (performed for, performed with, or contracted musicians for).
R&B/Hip Hop
Rock
Punk
James Williamson (Iggy and the Stooges)
Pop
Latin
collaborations with...
- Courtney Love Cobain-played cello in live performance
- Linda Perry (Four Non Blondes)-played violin in live performance
- H.E.R.-played viola in recording for 2019 Grammy’s
- Marisela-played viola with string quartet and band supporting legendary Mexican artist, Marisela
- Janelle Monáe-played violin and viola in projects including recording of "All or Nothing at All" for Ralph Lauren and other commercial projects.
- James Williamson (Iggy and the Stooges)-played cello in television taping and in live performance
- Jello Biafra (The Dead Kennedeys)-played cello in live performance
- Alison Mosshart (The Kills)-played violin in live performance
- Fall Out Boy-played violin in production used for 2020 tour
- Roger Rocha (Four Non Blondes)-played violin in live performances
- That Dog-played violin in live performance
- Ceci Bastida-played violin and cello on album
- Hellogoodbye-played violin, viola and cello on album
- Guster-played violin in live performance
- The Dears (Murray Lightburn)-played violin in live performance
- Janelle Monáe-played violin and viola in projects including recording of "All or Nothing at All" for Ralph Lauren and other commercial projects
- Streetlight Manifesto=played viola in live performance with CMG Orchestra.
- Geographer-played viola for song to be released in 2021.
- Islands (also with Richard Reed Parry from Arcade Fire)-played violin in live performance
- ...and many other artists.
performances for...
- Performed for artist Janelle Monáe for her Wondaland Halloween event in October 2022 and October 2023 (also contracted live musicians).
- Performed for artist Janelle Monáe in a 12 piece string ensemble for her Los Angeles summer soiree in June 2021 (also contracted live musicians).
- Performed for artists Megan the Stallion and Pardison Fontaine on February 14, 2021.
- Performed at Niecy Nash's 2011 Wedding Bash
- And many many others!
contracting for...
- Contracted strings for Brent Faiyaz's 2023 North America and European tour.
- Contracted string quintet for Janelle Monáe's Wondaland Halloween event in October 2022 and October 2023.
- Contracted horn section for Janelle Monáe's Martell cognac commercial (music) in September 2021.
- Contracted horn section for Janelle Monáe's Grammy-nominated album, Age of Pleasure in March 2022.
- Contracted 12 piece string ensemble for Janelle Monáe's summer soiree in Los Angeles in June 2021.
- Contracted solo saxophonist for Janice Monáe's 2023 birthday event.
commercial work...
- Principal Mandolin player for national commercial Facebook's "What's On Your Mind" 2016. Over 14 million views as of April 4, 2016!
- Principal Woman 2 for national commercial for WEtv's "Pure Michigan" 2014
- Principal Violinist for rebranding commercial for Los Angeles Music Center 2014
- Principal Violinist for national BainUltra commercial 2014
- Background Violinist for national commercial for Volkswagon/Discovery Channel 2015
- Background for national commercial for Wealthfront 2015
- Background Violinist for national commercial for Hewlett Packard's Sprout 2014
- Background Violinist for national commercial for Fruit of the Loom 2014
- Theater
- Fiona in stage production of Zombie Rules; a production of Tre Stage Theater 2014
Modeling
- Modeled jewelry from Sparklehippie
Appearances, Film, Television Sessions and Film (Music)
- Violinist for syndicated show, Reptile Royalty Season 2 on Roku; appearing fall 2024!
- Violinist for Service Connect commercial 2024
- Violinist with CMG Orchestra and Magic Johnson for Super Bowl 2019 promo
- Principal Violinist for artist NORO's music video "Father and Daughter" 2017
- Violinist and Violist for Silas Hite's original music for the Sims videogame 2017
- Violist on television show, "Married X 30" 2016
- Violinist on Last Call with Carson Daly performing cello with Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys and James Williamson from Iggy and the Stooges 2015
- Violist on Robbie Williams "Go Gently" music video 2013
- Violinist on Michael Stepanian “Dance of Love” music video 2013
- Violinist on "Renaissance Men" with Iman Shumpert from the New York Nicks 2013
- Violinist on CW Network's 'Hart of Dixie' season 2 episode 9, entitled “Sparks Fly” (soundtrack) Dec 2012
- Violinist, Violist and Cellist for Silas Hite's original music for Netflick's Show "Chef's Table" 2014
- Knock and Rock 2012 "Violinist"
- Violinist on"Threshold"-short film by Vincent Labriola 2009
- Violinist on Planet World Soundtrack scored by Zachary Ross 2011
- Violinist for Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash (Wedding and Cocktail Event) 2011
- Violinist on Battle of TLC's the Wedding Planners Season #1 Episode 1 2010
- Violinist on Battle of TLC's Wedding Designers Season #1 Episode 1 2010
- Violinist on "Threshold"-short film by Vincent Labriola 2009 2011
- Violinist on Planet World Soundtrack scored by Zachary Ross 2011
- Violinist for Niecy Nash's Wedding Bash (Wedding and Cocktail Event) 2011 (click here to view)
(Non Music)
- Best Night Ever 2013 MYX TV "Shelly"-One of the main roles (learned a Salsa dance routine and acted)
- Ground Game 2012 "Townsperson" in scene with Randall Park
On Set Talent Consultant
- String quartet consultant for Yamaha Corporation Japan. Commercial shot in Elysian Park, CA on 9/20/15
- Violin consultant for Hartmann Luggage commercial and worked for production company, 37thdegree.com. Commercial shot in Beverly Hills, CA on 5/5/15
About
EXPERIENCE PERFORMING WITH ICONIC ROCKERS.
Played violin, viola and cello with many legendary artists spanning genres of pop, rock, Latin, and R&B.
in this video, I played cello with Courtney Love Cobain and Jennie Vee for the Lipps Modeling Agency Launch at the Dream Hollywood Hotel.
EXPERIENCE WITH MUSIC CONTRACTING.
Creator of StringVolution; a professional string player collective based in Los Angeles. Nancy has organized and performed at several hosted by artist Janelle Monáe contracting a 12 piece string section for her summer soire, a quintet for her 2022 Halloween event, a quartet for her 2023 event, and a solo saxophonist for her mother's 2023 birthday celebration. She was also string contractor for artist Brent Faiyaz and booked two string players for his North American and European tour in 2023.
She also contracted a horn section for Janelle Monáe's 2023 album Age of Pleasure. The horn section recorded on "Champagne Shit" and "Black Sugar Beach". This album is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Progressive R&B Album and will be recognized at the Grammy's in 2024.
EXPERIENCE PERFORMING WITH R&B'S GREATEST TALENTS.
Recorded viola and for H.E.R.'s Grammy performance and was in the "Road to the Grammys" documentary series.
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