Ocean Strings

We believe in delivering exceptionally musical and memorable experiences for each of our clients!
"Ocean Strings provided exactly what we wanted, and even learned a few of the bride & groom's favorite songs to be played before and after the service."
- Nancy Gramps May 2021

We believe in creating and crafting a custom event from beginning to end.. so we have a beautiful system of checkpoints and consultations that help each client choose music that evokes who they authentically are.
"Your music was so evoking! So touching! Everyone needs an Ocean Strings accompaniment for all those important moments."- Linda Roberts December 2017

A beautiful guide called: String Your Memories, is a complimentary resource that comes with each booking and assists each of our clients to choose their music in hours! "This resource saved us so much time in selecting all our music! Thank you so much!"- Michaela Davis February 2024

Custom composition is another passion we love to assist with. Sometimes a special song is not yet composed or arranged for strings and when this happens, we are happy to commission a special composition for a Bride's procession/walk and/or a couple's first dance! Recently, we were able to perform the piece: Fire and the Flood for a couple's first dance. Originally, we were planning to perform this live with the bride's uncle (who at the last minute was unable to attend her wedding). The groom arranged a way to have her Uncle pre-record his vocal soundtrack for us. We performed live alongside his recording... for their first dance together. This was a compete surprise to the bride as well as the guests who had no idea we were performing live to a pre-recorded soundtrack! They thought that everything had been recorded... that's how seemless it went! Here is what the bride said afterwards: "Tommy and I are back in Sydney and couldn't be happier to be married and how our special day turned out! I will never forget the touching first dance surprise that you, my uncle and Tommy managed to pull off-- it was just incredible!"

We believe in making musical dreams come true.. dreams that turn into beautiful memories for years to come. Let our music string your memories!

Richard Ballinger - Violin/Viola/ Cello
Richard is a director in the IRC Public School Orchestra Program where he has more than 200 string students. He attended Florida Southern College where he graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree. Richard came to Vero Beach in 2004 after teaching privately and directing youth orchestras in Stuart, Florida. He has performed in and as a soloist with several orchestras throughout the state of Florida. When he's not busy teaching or performing he's busy surfing, boating or swimming in our Treasure Coast waters… ​thus the inspiration for the Quartet’s name. ​

Nicole Ballinger - Violin/ Viola
Nicole has been performing for 30+ years and started her musical studies with private instruction in Rhode Island. After her move to Florida she returned to music performance along with her husband Richard. She has performed with several community orchestras, among them the Indian River Pops and now performs and coordinates the events for Ocean Strings ensembles. She has arranged and performed in many high level events including opening for Mateo Bocelli's performance in November 2017. She also enjoys teaching a multi-diverse private string studio which includes a Kindermusik studio for preschool children in Vero Beach. In her spare time she loves to relax on the beach and has avid interests in photography, gourmet cooking & interior decoration and design.

Sasha Korczynski- Violin
Sasha Korczynski is a wife, mom to 6 children, and a professional violinist who is currently based in Melbourne, FL after moving down from the northeast in 2015. She performs weekly in Disney World, plays with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic, and started a monthly concert series with her pianist husband John that features them as the Golden Arrow Duo as well as guest artists from around the country. Her recent freelancing engagements have included performances with Foreigner, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Michael Buble.

Adriana Stenvik- Cello
Adriana is an accomplished professional cellist and a dedicated teacher. Performing regularly in the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Craig Turley Orchestras, Beautiful Music, Ocean String Quartet, Nova Era, The Walt Disney World Orchestra, and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, she divides her time between symphonic performance, performing in backup orchestras for national touring groups, and her private teaching studio in Vero Beach, Florida. Adriana also previously held the position of principal cellist of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. She has shared the stage with the violin master Joshua Bell and famous pop artists such as Seal, Sting, Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and David Foster, and has toured Florida with The Irish Three Tenors, The Ten Tenors, Duran Duran, The Transiberian Orchestra, Ray Price, Ill Divo, The Indigo Girls, Celtic Woman, and the Electric Light Orchestra among others.