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Meet Simply Strings

WHERE
LUXURY
RESONATES

Group of four people holding violins and posing on brick steps in front of a building with black door and plaques.

Led by husband and wife, Stephen and Heather Short, Simply Strings has brought timeless music to Memphis for over two decades.

Our Ensemble

A collective of world-class musicians, Simply Strings blends classical tradition with contemporary style to deliver refined performances for weddings and events.

Your TALENT, PROFESSIONALISM, and HEARTFELT PERFORMANCE CREATED an ATMOSPHERE that was both BEAUTIFUL and UNFORGETTABLE.

— Ginger C. Mother of the Bride

A woman playing the violin outdoors, with a focus on her face, glasses, and hands holding the violin and bow.
A bride and groom smiling and walking hand in hand outside a white church. The bride holds a bouquet of flowers, wearing a strapless wedding dress. The groom wears a black tuxedo. There is greenery and trees around, with a brick pathway and church in the background.

THE
FOUNDERS

Simply Strings is the musical partnership of Stephen and Heather Short, who have performed together in Memphis since 2001. Married in 2003, they continue to enrich the city's vibrant music community through exceptional performances and a shared passion for music education.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiling while holding a violin and bow outdoors on a brick pathway, with greenery and trees in the background.

HEATHER SHORT

Violinist

Heather is the Artistic Director and violinist of Simply Strings, bringing elegance, artistry, and professionalism to performances throughout Memphis and the surrounding region. She holds both a Bachelor of Music and Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Memphis and has been active in the Memphis music community since the early 2000s.

Heather has performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, regional orchestras, and renowned artists including Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, and Mannheim Steamroller. She is also active in Memphis theater and Candlelight Concerts. Passionate about music education, Heather maintains a violin studio and leads the Early Childhood and Elementary Music Departments at Hutchison School.

A man in a suit holding a cello outdoors on a path with trees in the background.

STEPHEN SHORT

Cellist

Stephen is an accomplished music educator, cellist, and conductor with more than two decades of experience in music performance and education. He earned his Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Memphis in 2004, studying cello under Peter Spurbeck and Leo Altino.

He began his teaching career with Memphis City Schools before joining the Germantown Municipal School District, where he has taught orchestra since 2015. Today, Stephen serves as Director of Orchestras at Houston High School, leading a thriving program and inspiring young musicians. He also remains an active performer throughout the Memphis area, appearing with local symphonies, churches, and at private events.

A woman with long brown hair smiling while holding a violin and bow, standing on a brick pathway outdoors with trees and a white building in the background.
A woman in a black dress smiling, holding a violin, outside on a brick pathway with greenery and trees in the background.

Kate Ryan

Violin

Tammy Holt

Viola

THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE NOTES

YEARS PERFORMING

20+

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

1000+

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS

20+

COVERAGE FOR MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH

100%

FROM the
HIGHLIGHT REEL

A few of our favorite moments from real weddings and events. See the celebrations, connections, and unforgettable experiences created through live music.

  • A group of people at an outdoor wedding celebration in front of a white house with a gray roof, with some people dressed in formal attire and a woman in a white lace dress with a bouquet, enjoying the event.
  • A wedding ceremony taking place indoors with a bride and groom standing hand in hand at an altar. The bride is holding a white bouquet, and the groom is dressed in a tuxedo. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are standing on either side, smiling. The background features large, arched windows and floral arrangements.
  • A group of four musicians playing string instruments outdoors in a garden, including two women and one man, with greenery and a stone wall in the background.
  • A wedding celebration with a bride and groom kissing, surrounded by wedding party members including bridesmaids in pink floral dresses and groomsmen in black tuxedos, outdoors in front of a white church with a steeple and trees.
  • Musicians playing string instruments outdoors on grass, with a man on a cello, a woman on a violin, and another woman on a viola, near a white table with a flower arrangement and an umbrella.
A man in a gray suit and a woman in a floral dress are standing outdoors on a brick pathway in front of a wooden gate and brick wall, holding violins and a cello.
A person playing the violin outdoors, seated on a bench, surrounded by greenery.

Why Choose Simply Strings

REFINED

Decades of experience and exceptional musicianship allow us to deliver performances that are polished, expressive, and perfectly suited for every occasion.

PERSONALIZED

From custom song selections to thoughtful guidance throughout the planning process, we create seamless experiences tailored to each celebration and event.

MEMORABLE

With energy, emotion, and connection at the center of every performance, we create music that becomes one of the most meaningful parts of your occasion.

CREATE YOUR EXPERIENCE

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Ready to create your soundtrack?

RESERVE
YOUR DATE

Share the details of your wedding or event, and we’ll craft a personalized music experience designed to make every moment unforgettable.

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