About Lavandula Strings
Artistry and care, in every note.
Elegance, intentionality and artistry are at the heart of everything we do. We’re a woman-owned boutique string ensemble, founded in 2021, with musicians in Colorado, New York City and Monterey Bay, CA.
Our founder
Dr. Joy Yamaguchi
Dr. Joy Yamaguchi founded Lavandula Strings in 2021 to create beautifully curated, personal music for couples who want their day to feel one-of-a-kind. Since then, her musicians have performed at hundreds of weddings, from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations.
Joy has performed as a violinist from the Estates Theatre in Prague to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with concerts in Vienna, Chile and South Korea. She has collaborated with Lauryn Hill, Yandel and Yvette Young of Covet, and produced concerts with Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society.
She personally curates every ensemble. Originally from Monterey, California, Joy now lives in New York City, though after almost a decade in Boulder, Colorado still feels like home.
Our story
It takes more than beautiful playing.
Live music is one of the most intimate parts of a celebration, and we don’t take that lightly. We approach every performance with care, intention and deep respect for your story, and by specializing exclusively in strings, we offer a cohesion and refinement couples and planners can trust.
We work closely with couples, planners and creative teams so every detail is seamless, and we honor and welcome all identities, traditions and expressions of love. Our role is to lighten the load and create music that lets you be fully present.
AAPI woman-owned · Celebrating every love
At Lavandula Strings, we believe in
Care
We show up with warmth, attentiveness and genuine care, for our clients, our collaborators and the music we create together.
Excellence
From the first note to the final song, we hold ourselves to the highest standard of professionalism and artistry.
Inclusivity
We honor all identities, all traditions and all expressions of love, because every story deserves to be heard and celebrated.
Connection
Music is about more than performance. It’s about presence, collaboration and creating something meaningful together.
Integrity
We communicate clearly, follow through on our word, and treat every celebration as the once-in-a-lifetime moment it is.
Who we serve
You’re planning a meaningful, elevated celebration, and your music should reflect that.
We work with couples, planners, designers, nonprofits and brands who value artistry and intention, and we’re proud to be on the preferred vendor lists of top venues in Colorado, New York City and beyond.
Whether you want your music to
- Create a meaningful, memorable ceremony
- Set the tone for a joyful, elegant celebration
- Wow your guests with a sophisticated, personal ambiance
- Reflect your unique style and story
- Feel polished, seamless and beautifully personal
We’re here to curate a musical experience that elevates your day while allowing you to be fully present in it.
The Lavandula standard
Trained, with Joy.
Our musicians are, quite literally, trained with Joy. She hand-picks and personally trains every musician on our team, so you get the same polish, warmth and attention to detail at every celebration, in every city.
Hand-selected
Joy personally chooses every musician, for their artistry and for how they carry themselves at a celebration.
Trained in our standard
Every musician learns our ensemble standards: preparation, event etiquette, timing cues and how to read a room.
Led by our core team
A member of our core team leads every event, keeping the ensemble on cue and in step with your planner.
Prepared, never improvised
Your setlist, including every custom arrangement, is rehearsed to performance standard before your day.
We take on a limited number of celebrations each season, so every one receives this level of care.
The team
The artists of Lavandula Strings.
Our core team is joined by a roster of 42+ of the nation’s top string players, from Juilliard graduates to members of the Colorado Symphony. At least one member of our core team performs at every event.
Leadership & Administration
Colorado · Front Range
Monterey Bay & San Francisco
Founder, Director & Violinist
Joy
Dr. Joy Yamaguchi founded Lavandula Strings in 2021 and personally curates every ensemble. She has performed in renowned concert halls and venues around the world, from the Estates Theatre in Prague to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado, and she has collaborated with artists including Lauryn Hill, Yandel and Yvette Young of Covet, and produced concerts with Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society. Originally from Monterey, California, she now lives in New York City, though after almost a decade in Boulder, Colorado still feels like home.
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Charlie
Charlie is a violinist and arts administrator who helps Lavandula Strings create seamless, memorable live music for weddings and special events. He brings together his experience as a performing musician and his organizational background to guide the ensemble’s behind-the-scenes operations with care and precision.
Away from the office, Charlie keeps an active schedule performing and teaching throughout Boulder County.
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Samantha
Originally from Monterey, California, Samantha Sarine brings more than a decade of event planning and production experience. After years creating memorable experiences in Denver, she recently made New York City home.
She has partnered with businesses, nonprofits and community organizations on events of every size, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. With a background in event strategy, production and client relationships, Samantha loves bringing people, ideas and logistics together, and believes the best events are built on thoughtful details, strong collaboration and a little creativity.
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Sophie
Cellist Sophie Stubbs is a Boulder-based chamber, orchestral and freelance artist who performs regularly with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Opera. She has also performed at festivals including the Brevard Music Center and the Lakes Area Music Festival.
Beyond the concert hall, Sophie has shared the stage with Apashe at Red Rocks and Sigur Rós at the Mission Ballroom. A devoted teacher, she brings the same warmth and care to every celebration. Off stage, you’ll find her with a coffee, a good book or out enjoying the Colorado outdoors.
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Anna
Violinist and violist Anna Lugbill is a coordinator for Lavandula Strings and has been bringing music to weddings since 2018. Originally from New York, she has called Colorado home since 2021.
Today she performs with the Boulder Philharmonic, the Boulder Chamber Orchestra and Candlelight concerts, teaches private lessons, and counts Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center among her highlights. Off stage, Anna loves traveling, reading and discovering new hiking trails and restaurants around Colorado.
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Nancy
Violinist Nancy Hernandez brings more than 15 years of orchestral, chamber and solo experience to every performance, having played with distinguished ensembles across Mexico, the United States and Europe. In 2024, she was a featured musician in the Candlelight concert series.
A passionate educator, Nancy has taught with El Sistema Colorado and Crescendo Fine Arts Academy, and is the founder of Harmony by Yu, her private violin studio for students of all levels. She brings that same warmth and attention to detail to every celebration with Lavandula Strings.
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Paul
Paul Kim is a versatile San Francisco-based violinist who performs throughout the Bay Area. He is a member of the Modesto Symphony and Stockton Symphony, and has also performed with Symphony San Jose, California Symphony and Vallejo Symphony.
A devoted chamber musician, Paul performs with his ensemble Blue Marble, which builds programs that thread themes of common humanity through music of every era. Off stage, he hikes the landscapes around the Bay, bakes sourdough and is always on the hunt for the next great apple variety (lately, Empire).
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Zofia
Cellist Zofia Sabee is a passionate, well-rounded musician who has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Northwest Sinfonia, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, and at festivals including the Sitka Cello Seminar and the International Cello Institute.
She has also shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Lauryn Hill, The Who, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Irish Tenors. Beyond performing, Zofia has worked as an orchestral librarian for the Seattle Symphony and San Francisco Opera.
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Sarah
Violinist Sarah Biagini is a vibrant, versatile musician whose career spans orchestral playing, pop album recordings and performances alongside rock bands. Originally from La Crescenta, California, she is a member of the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Santa Cruz Symphony, and performs often with the Santa Rosa Symphony, Modesto Symphony and California Symphony.
Sarah is also a member of Town Quartet. When she isn’t performing, she loves traveling, hiking and exploring new coffee shops around San Francisco.
CloseWe’d love to be part of your story.
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