Introducing Q THE BAND, where musical elegance meets unparalleled entertainment! Crafted by the nationally acclaimed Billboard Charting recording artist, the Dallas String Quartet, our ensemble was born out of the collective desire to infuse artistic concert elements into unforgettable events.
At the heart of Q The Band lies the expertise and talent of core members who have graced the stages of celebrity events, including the enchanting union of Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, the prestigious inaugural ball for former President Barack Obama, and private performances for Delta Airlines and LinkedIn.
Our musical journey also includes performing at the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS alongside Ed Sheeran. Q The Band features the winner of THE VOICE AUSTRALIA and GRAMMY -nominated singer Vaughn Faison, adding a touch of star power to our extraordinary performances.
With a repertoire that spans genres and eras, our band transforms private events into unforgettable spectacles. Book Q The Band and treat your guests to an experience that goes beyond the ordinary – where musical excellence, passion, and a commitment to creating unforgettable moments converge. Let us turn your special occasion into a symphony of memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
MEET OUR ARTISTS
ANJA NISSEN
Anja Nissen grew up on a large rural estate at the foothills of the Blue Mountains, one hour outside of Sydney, NSW in Australia. Her youth was spent practicing singing and competing in a plethora of vocalist competitions, which she often won. The NSW Education Department selected her to join an elite group of students for their TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (TDP).
Upon finishing High School, Anja decided to enter THE VOICE AUSTRALIA. She got through and was mentored by Will.I.Am of Black-Eyed Peas, who took her right through to becoming that season's WINNER (2014). UNIVERSAL soon released her related TV album and then single ‘I'm So Excited’ which featured Will.I.Am and Cody Wise. Thereafter Anja released more tracks including ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart', ‘Triumph’, ‘A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes’ (We Love Disney – compilation), and ‘Joy to the World’ (Spirit of Christmas – compilation).
Anja spent the next 2 years touring, recording, and developing her songwriting skills. As a dual citizen, she often travelled between Australia and Denmark. Anja's next big goal was to represent Denmark in the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST. This took two attempts. First in 2016 and then eventually winning the MELODI GRAND PRIX DENMARK in 2017. This led to her placing Top 20 in EUROVISION with her co-composed song, ‘Where I Am’. A 6 track EP was launched off the back of this international exposure and gained notoriety.
After exploiting the many opportunities that came her way in Europe, Anja moved to Los Angeles on a student visa to study music theory, composition, piano, and recording at MUSICIANS INSTITUTE Hollywood. This was an important period of growth for Anja both musically and in broadening her network. She made many creative connections with fellow songwriters and met with producers, agents, and managers.
Anja has now secured a US work visa and is officially based in LA. Her plan is to release, as an independent artist, the personally co-produced, 6 track EP; 'SAME ROOM'. Hopefully this will spark further interest in potential management companies, record labels, and publishers who wish to share in her vision for the next project, a solo album, which she has already composed. Big things are in store for this dynamic, young singer-songwriter. Watch her star rise!
ION ZANCA
Musical Purist and Ion Zanca is the principal and founder of the Dallas String Quartet and Q The Band. Unique and pure to his core, perfect pitch is in his DNA. Since moving to the U.S. from Romania in 2002, DSQ has become a household name to many. In October 2022, Zanca charted at #1 on the Classical Album Billboard Charts with DSQ's latest album, "ROMANI: The Untold Story." Under Zanca’s tutelage, The group has played for multiple sitting U.S. presidents, the NFL, the NBA, performed at the wedding of music legends Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, released a collaboration with The Piano Guys and acquired over 50 million streams on Spotify. As of November 2021, the group has more than 600 million streams on Pandora, 6.2 Million views on YouTube, and had over 5.8 million listeners on Spotify. They are often compared to The Piano Guys, Vitamin String Quartet and Lindsey Stirling. They have also appeared on numerous national media outlets such as ESPN, NBC, and CW 33.
Zanca himself has earned a reputation nationwide as a prolific performer, composer, producer and voting member of the Recording Academy. His talents as a versatile violist have been celebrated on the classical stage as well as on the jazz and contemporary music scene. Hailing from a long lineage of musicians, he is a voting member of The Recording Academy and holds a graduate degree in Music Performance from Southern Methodist University. He currently resides in Dallas with his wife, Estera, and his son Julian.
MELISSA PRILLER
Melissa Priller is a #1 Billboard charting recording artist and professional violinist experienced in many playing styles with a passion for performing and a virtuosic flare that electrifies stages across the country. Playing classical and electric violin, Melissa joined DSQ in 2013 and has recorded a number of albums and singles with the group. Melissa is featured on DSQ's #1 Billboard charting album ROMANI: The Untold Story, DSQ's #2 Billboard charting album Love Always (2022), as well as DSQ's albums A Very Merry Christmas With Dallas String Quartet (2019), DSQ Live in Concert (2018), and DSQ (2016). In addition, Melissa has toured extensively with DSQ and filmed an array of music videos.
Classically trained, Melissa began her violin studies in Chicago, Illinois, where she played in an elite youth violin ensemble, gaining international touring experience and playing for the likes of Pope Benedict XVI in Rome and Prince William Lobkowicz in Prague. At the same time, Melissa began a career in modeling, walking runway for numerous fashion shows and landing features in various print ads.
Melissa has performed for Presidents, celebrity weddings, NBA and NFL teams, opened for artists such as Kenny G, and soloed with the Irving Symphony. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas, where she maintains an active performance schedule with Q The Band and DSQ.
VAUGHN FAISON
Vocalist Vaughn Faison is best known as a member of the GRAMMY nominated a cappella group Kings Return. Vaughn has toured all over the country with Kings Return, performing at venues including The Kennedy Center and The Steve Jobs Theatre where they collaborated with Apple and The Billie Holliday Theatre on a film. Community outreach and master classes are also cornerstones in Vaughn's ethos and work with Kings Return. Session work is another extension of his artistry. Faison works with with clients all over the U.S. as well as abroad in Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan and Denmark recording everything from voice and guitar to songwriting and production. In addition, Faison is a songwriting instructor at Interlochen Center For The Arts, where he gives lessons and guidance to emerging young artists.
Along with these passions, he is a worship leader at Grace Avenue United Methodist Church in Frisco, TX. A church that aims to “eradicate homelessness in whatever form it presents itself.” His musical worship expression is centered on intersectionality and justice.
Faison has degrees in classical and jazz voice from The State University of New York at Fredonia (‘15) and The University of North Texas (‘19). He is originally from Lyons, NY and currently lives in Dallas, TX.
ANNA PENA
From performing on main stages to creating alternative pop in the studio, Anna tests musical limits by incorporating contrasting musical styles together into one. From pop, rock, to even classical, Anna is comfortable in all styles of music. Growing up in professional musical theater, performing at places like Bass Hall from the young age of 4, Anna remains true to her roots, inspired by theatrical content and incorporating that into her shows and artistry. Some of her career highlights include recording and writing her debut E.P with the best in the industry in Nashville Tennessee, and performing for Howie, Mel, Heidi & Howard on America's Got Talent. Anna constantly shares her art at numerous venues in Dallas/Fort Worth.
JOSEPH VEAZIE
With a huge vocal range, fun-loving personality, and dynamic stage presence, Joseph Veazie has amazed audiences time and time again with his exceptionally versatile catalog. Joseph is an award winning performer who has performed and toured with a number of music legends including Gym Class Heroes and Travie McCoy where we performed alongside acts such as 311, Fall Out Boy, The Offspring, Machine Gun Kelly, and a list of other notable entertainers. With over a decade of experience, Joseph excels in a wide range of music genres from 70's classics, to today's top 40 hits!