Classical charm with modern flair.
SINCE 1999For 25 years, the Stringbeans Quartet has delighted audiences with hits from Pachelbel to Prince. Our fresh blend of classical and pop has brought sophistication and joy to hundreds of weddings, events, and performances throughout Edmonton and beyond.
We’ve performed at distinguished events like the St. Albert Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts and the the centennial re-opening of the Bailey Theatre, and opened for Johnny Reid on his A Christmas Gift to You tour. Our long time partnership with John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation has helped raise millions through the annual CRESCENDO and Singing Christmas Tree concerts.
In 2024, we were honoured to be named the preferred string quartet of the historic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
“Our special day became a fairytale with the addition of the Stringbeans Quartet! They played beautifully at our ceremony, adding a magical touch to the day!”
Bryson & Katherine Ewanchuk“The music they played was excellent and really help set the tone and elegance that we were seeking.”
Mark K.“Excellent communication, easy to work with, took requests and best of all they put on an amazing show. Got so many compliments at my wedding. Would 100% recommend them.”
Lisa Rasmussen“We received many compliments from our guests both on the group’s virtuosity and the eclectic playlist, with the mix of contemporary and classic music.”
Josh MilleR
Robin Leicht
VIOLA SINCE 1999Music has been an important part of Robin’s life ever since childhood. Some of her earliest memories include singing and dancing with her family to the Beatles, Tina Turner, and anything else that happened to be playing on the radio.
Robin learned violin, piano, and flute in her youth and went on to study violin at the University of Alberta. She founded the Stringbeans Quartet along with some schoolmates in 1999; in those early days, the group could often be found playing for tips at the Strathcona Farmer’s Market. She has since grown the group to the power ensemble it is today.
Along the way, Robin picked up the viola and fell in love with its rich tones. She now plays on a viola from award-winning luthier Guy Harrison, made for her in 2024. Outside of music, Robin works in healthcare administration. She is an accomplished fibre artist, houseplant enthusiast, sometimes yogi, and aspiring cross-country skier.
Leigh Dyrda
VIOLIN SINCE 2009Leigh grew up studying violin in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she enjoyed a dynamic musical career with the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra, the University of Manitoba Orchestra, and the Rembrandt String Quartet.
Leigh moved to Edmonton to pursue graduate studies in the Department of English at the University of Alberta, and has lived here teaching English literature ever since. In her non-musical life, she is an ardent admirer of printmaking, pottery, and fabric arts. She also curls every winter!
Ryan Herbold
VIOLIN SINCE 2009Ryan grew up in a musical household, honing his skills on the violin and competing in festivals across western Canada. Today, he is the concertmaster of the John Cameron Entertainment orchestra and is in high demand as both a performer and clinician.
He earned his degrees in Music and Education from the University of Alberta and currently serves as a Vice Principal and music teacher at a junior high school in St. Albert. Outside of his musical pursuits, Ryan enjoys outdoor activities, board games, and spending quality time with his family.
He is thrilled to perform with a violin and bow made by the award-winning luthiers František Kůs from the Czech Republic and Roy Quade from Canada.
Nicholas Yee
CELLO SINCE 2024As a young cellist, Nicholas got hooked on film scores and R&B songs that featured classical strings. He started recording his own string arrangements of soundtracks and pop songs, eventually releasing 2 albums of these recordings.
This opened the door to opportunities like recording for music labels Seeking Blue and 88rising, performing at the JUNO Awards with artists like Shawn Mendes and Jessie Reyez, and even performing for the Pope when he visited Canada in 2022.
Nicholas has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is the Creative Director of ecommerce studio Juniper Creates. He is an avid lover of movies, the mountains, and milk tea.