La Bella Musica

• Matt Knippel - cello
• Emily Chen - violin
• Morgan Santos - cello
• Lydia Lis - violin
• Lauren Miklovic - viola
• Lynn Souza - viola

La Bella Musica is one of the most sought after string ensembles in the southern New England area with large and extremely diverse repertoire for all ensembles! We can provide string duos, trios and quartets in a variety of combinations for weddings, concerts, and other special occasions. Emily and Morgan are the core members of the group and they rotate players (not all listed above) based on availability and instrumentation needed.

** Become a fan of us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with our events, interact with us, let us know of any music requests you think would be unexpected but totally awesome if played by a string group, and so much more!

PLEASE NOTE: Since we have recently had an influx of experienced musicians joining us, we have decided that we would split the group in two (if the number of musicians allowed for it) in order to accommodate for up to two events at the same time. Majority of correspondences are done through Emily but are passed onto Morgan if a double booking occurs. There will always be a core member present at each gig La Bella Musica is hired for.

We play mostly classical but have started to incorporate songs of the oldies (such as "Hello, My Baby!," "Can't Help Falling in Love," "In the Good Old Summertime" and "Glow Worm"), swing (i.e. "In the Mood," "It Don't Mean a Thing") as well as some of the more popular songs (i.e. "James Bond," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "Eleanor Rigby").

At the moment we do not have any quartet recordings - Sorry!

• *** These are examples of our non-traditional wedding pieces!
• A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
• A Groovy Kind of Love - Phil Collins (Quartet only)
• All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
• Annie's Song - John Denver (Duo)
• Better Together - Jack Johnson (Quartet only)
• Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (Quartet only)
• Bubbly - Colbie Caillat (Quartet only, can be arranged for trio)
• Can't Help Falling In Love - Weiss/Elvis
• Clocks - Coldplay (Quartet only)
• Con Te Partiro - (Trio currently, can be arranged for quartet)
• Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (Quartet only)
• Every Breath You Take - The Police/Sting (Duo and Trio)
• Family Guy Theme, The
• Hey There Deliliah - Plain White T's (all ensembles)
• I Got Rhythm - (Quartet only)
• I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic at the Disco (Trio and Quartet only)
• In My Life - Beatles (Quartet only)
• In The Mood - Joe Garland
• It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington
• James Bond Theme
• Lucky - Colbie Caillat & Jason Mraz (Trio and Quartet)
• Medal Ceremony (Star Wars IV) - John Williams
• Medallion Calls, The (Pirates of the Caribbean) - John Williams
• Moon River - Henry Mancini
• Over the Rainbow
• Que Sera Sera
• Remember When - Alan Jackson (Quartet only)
• September Song
• So This Is Love
• Somewhere Out There (from "An American Tail") - (Duo, but can be arranged for trio and quartet)
• Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers (Duo and Trio only)
• Viva La Vida - Coldplay (Quartet only)
• What A Wonderful World
• Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Quartet only)
• Yellow - Coldplay (Quartet only)
• You and Me - Lifehouse (Quartet only)
• *** Please contact us music requests or the full repertoire list for each ensemble***
• NEW: Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (Quartet only)
• NEW: It's De-Lovely - Cole Porter (Quartet only)
• NEW: Signed, Sealed, Delivered - (Quartet only)
• NEW: Someone to Watch Over Me - Gershwin (Trio and Quartet only)
• NEW: Storybook Love - Mark Knopfler (Duo only at this time)
• NEW: Butterfly Waltz - Brian Crain (Duo, can be arranged for trio)
• NEW: When I'm Sixty Four - Beatles (Quartet only)
• NEW: No One - Alicia Keys (Trio only currently)
• NEW: Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg (Trio)
• NEW: Love Story - Taylor Swift (Trio only, can be arranged for quartet also)

Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Cocktail Parties, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Events, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Restaurants, Reunions, School Assemblies, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• Emily was extremely helpful during the planning process. The music at the event was perfect and we received many compliments. I would highly recommend La Bella Musica for any event! -- Christina C, Bristol, RI, 10/21/2011
• Emily, Morgan and Christina were all well prepared and professional. I will definitely recommend La Bella Musica to any friends looking for string players. Excellent job! -- Coralyn M, Assonet, MA, 4/14/2012
• They were early to the ceremony, we had great communications, and even when I was unsure about picking material, they helped me every step of the way. They even helped me arrange a piece I wrote and stayed patient with me as I revised the piece a few times. I had many people tell me that they were absolutely wonderful. Highly, highly recommended, and I will definitely go to them first for my next function!! Thanks again La Bella Musica!! -- Devon L, Madison, CT, 11/26/2010
• The music by La Bella Musica for the wedding ceremony was wonderful, ranging from Ave Maria to light classical to contemporary pop. We had a lot of compliments and i would highly recommend them -- Jacquelyn L, North Kingstown, RI, 5/15/2010
• La Bella Musica was awesome, and my contact, Emily Chen, was fantastic. They learned two songs for me - one was very special, as they accompanied me when I sang to my husband at the ceremony. It was perfect. I would absolutely recommend La Bella Musica to anyone and everyone. -- Molly M, Newport, RI, 10/29/2011
• La Bella Musica performed at my May 16th wedding at Belle Mer, and they were great! Guests said the prelude music was beautiful. I walked into Canon in D it sounded perfect -- apparently this song in particular had my mom in tears. During the cocktail hour they played a mix of both classical and contemporary tunes and it set a very elegant feel. I worked mostly with Emily Chen and she always responded to my emails quickly and was helpful in suggesting classical songs for various parts of the ceremony. Overall they are great musicians and very professional and I would highly recommend them! -- Tara M, Newport, RI, 5/16/2009
• La Bella Musica (Morgan Santos and Emily Chen) played for my daughter's wedding and they were simply wonderful. Many of our guests--some of them musicians themselves--commented on the beauty of the performance. Their performance was flawless, their repertoire varied and their professionalism perfect. La Bella Musica was recommended to me by a friend and I would not hesitate to recommend these lovely and talented young women. Thank you! -- Ruth S, Providence, RI, 1/2/2009
• I hired Emily and her quartet for our wedding, on something of a last minute time frame. She worked very well with what we wanted to do, and agreed to learn a song that we had arranged just for the day. On the day of the wedding, I gave them a specific schedule to follow; which they did, until they realized that something was wrong elsewhere... the bridal party wasn't ready! They filled in perfectly with absolute professionalism. I can't express what peace of mind I had having such professional musicians behind me on this day. I would recommend them to any one. -- Christopher P, Waterford, CT, 8/15/2009
• It was a pleasure having La Bella Musica play at our proposal dinner. They worked with Gracie's restaurant to help me pull off a surprise proposal dinner for my girlfriend....WOW was she surprised!!!! La Bella Musica are extremely professional and they provided an awsome ambience for our dinner. Emily and Morgan were very cordial, flexible and their performance and musical selections were exceptional....very well done!!!!! We will definitely be booking them for our wedding. Thank you La Bella Musica! Bob W -- Bob W, Providence, RI, 12/6/2008
• The duo was simply magical! They were accomplished, talented and a joy to listen to. From the wedding on the beach, to the champagne reception afterwards, they added an air of elegance and enjoyment for all to the occasion. As we had no particular music selction chosen beforehand, they did a marvelous job with the selection as well... We would hire them again in a heartbeat!! -- Emily R, Charlestown, RI, 10/10/2008
• They were wonderful. Very responsive via email, I was able to book and work with them entirely from out of state. On the day of, I had absolutely no contact with them as I was just too busy, but there were absolutely no issues. They sounded beautiful, knew exactly what they were doing, and worked with my vendors terrifically. I am sad I didn't get a chance to enjoy and appreciate their music, but we were too busy! I would highly recommend them to anyone. Sincerely, Jamie -- Jamie K, Narragansett, RI, 10/2/2008
• Emily is so easy to talk to, she will work with you and your special requests as best she could. I had a pianist and they did not have problems playing alongside him, which was great coz the music was lovely at my wedding. And for the rate they charged me, any budget conscious bride, as I was, cannot go wrong with that. They're fab. I love them! -- Anne B, New London, CT, 8/28/2008
• We could not have imagined a more amazing ensemble to perform at our wedding! Emily and Morgan are accomodating, professional, flexible and, of course, extremely talented. They helped in the selection of pieces and created the perfect setting for our wedding. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have had them join in our day! -- Sarah C, Providence, RI, 12/30/2007
• I absolutely loved La Bella Musica. Emily was so great to deal with over email when planning and she made everything so easy. On the day of the event, I was so busy running around that I kind of forgot to make sure everything was all set for the ceremony, and honestly I never needed to worry! They were there early and started playing right away and according to my friends and family did a fantastic job! My only regret is that I didn't get to listen to them enough myself! You will not regret hiring these ladies. They are professionals and did a great job! Customer Service level was over the top! -- Laurel G, Newport, RI, 10/8/2011
• LabellaMusica was wonderful to work with. We started out working with Emily who was right on top of things. At the last minute Morgan took over which made us a little uneasy but Morgan was a delight to work with as well. They are a well-oiled operation and while I am not an expert in music, I thought their music was beautiful. I would recommend them highly. -- Carol M, Newport, RI, 9/24/2011

Click here for more feedback