11/18/2022
Performances and Artists
The past few years have seen a thrilling change for Femmes of Rock.
Of course, this Las Vegas-based group of electric violinists continue to shatter expectations for their instrument, by playing high-octane arrangements of rock hits from iconic bands like Pink Floyd, Queen, Metallica and Led Zeppelin.
“This is the first production of its kind, where violinists front the show with this kind of music,” says Nina DiGregorio, the group’s creator and arranger. “If people go in thinking they’re going to hear Beethoven, they’ll leave having heard Black Sabbath.”
The acclaimed group also still tours nationwide, hailed for its concerts’ electrifying choreography.
But DiGregorio proudly touts the group’s newest element: the musicians now sing, too.
“One of the biggest changes from the time we started to now is that we really worked on incorporating singing into our new medleys,” she says. “We are all classically trained string players, so it was a challenge for us.”
But she vows the hard work has elevated the Femmes of Rock experience. Audiences will enjoy both the performers’ blistering instrumental technique and powerful vocals at the group’s performance on July 25, 2026 at The Smith Center.
“We have never had someone leave without being ecstatic about the performance,” DiGregorio says. “People tell me that our show and the music we chose reminds them of the best times in their lives, and they felt like they just sat in my living room for 90 minutes with some friends.”
Created in Las Vegas
DiGregorio knows the world of performance better than most. She first moved to Las Vegas to perform with Wayne Newton, and she also performed as the solo violinist for Toni Braxton, David Foster, and many more.
Building on this experience, she felt total confidence upon launching Femmes of Rock with a group of Las Vegas electric violinists. These highly trained musicians often performed on the Strip with visiting headliners and Vegas favorites like Brody Dolyniuk.
“Traditionally when you think of rock music, you think of guitar players, not violinists – and you think of men, not women,” DiGregorio says. “We set out to shatter that mold.”
Initially, her corporate act Bella Electric Strings mostly performed at private events – until this led to something bigger.
“Someone saw us at an event who owned a theater. They wanted to know if we had a 90-minute stage show,” she recalls. “Of course I said ‘yes.’ Then I thought, ‘Oh crap, now I have to write a show.’”
The production — Femmes of Rock — was an instant hit, selling out immediately.
Since then, DiGregorio expanded this into a nationwide collective of 30 female musicians who perform across the country, including at Coachella. Members of Femmes of Rock have also performed with musical greats such as Beyonce, The Killers, Stevie Wonder, Shakira and more.
She also boasts over 1 million views with TikTok videos of rock solos on electric violin.
“That has transferred over to a whole new audience that Femmes of Rock is now reaching,” she says.
A Show Full of Surprises
The upcoming Femmes of Rock shows will feature the group’s core, seven-piece band, DiGregorio says. This includes four violinist-vocalists, a cellist, as well as a back-up band featuring drums, bass and guitar.
These performances will also include some surprises, such as special guest artists and vocalists, as well as debuts of new music.
“You can expect to see (our show) elevated to the next level,” DiGregorio says.
SEE THE SHOW
Femmes of Rock performs at 7:30 PM on July 25, 2026 in Reynolds Hall - click here for tickets.