Arioso Strings performs at Kwantlen's inaugeration ceremony concert held at the Richmond campus on Oct. 3. L-R: Stephanie Lowe; Paul Luongo; Kevin Young (extra member for special events); Jinhee Park; Eva Ying. (Rachelle Ashe photo)

Park was 19 when she began playing the violin and now, at 26, she is taking music courses at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, has recently learned the viola, and has started a string ensemble with a group of her classmates.

Arioso Strings was formed in January as a way to have some fun while playing the quartet music that Park had been collecting. The other members of Arioso Strings are Paul Luongo (violin), Stephanie Lowe (violin and vocals), and Eva Ying (cello).

 The quartet’s member’s other musical talents include piano, harp, guitar, ukulele and drums.

 Since January, Arioso Strings have performed at over 20 events, many of which have been Kwantlen-related.

They are surprised by how well everything has fallen into place, said Park.

“It’s pretty neat, because if we play one event and all the faculty members are there, then they ask who we are, and whenever they have events, they hire us.”

 The quartet’s latest performance was a dinner reception at Kwantlen’s inauguration ceremony, held at the Richmond campus on Oct. 3. Hours before Arioso String’s music began to waft throughout the university’s hallways, the group clustered into a small room to practice their instruments. None of them appeared nervous, and Park admited that they love performing.

That easy-going attitude coincides with the original idea behind the ensemble.

“We just did it because we love music,” said Park. “We just thought, like, ‘Oh this might be fun.’”

With regards to Arioso Strings’ hopes for the future, Park doesn’t anticipate anything too grand.

“I think as long as we have fun playing together, you know occasionally get together …that’s our hope.”