Watercress Trio

Top Performer

St Paul, MN

$325 and up

Travels up to 30 miles

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Make You Feel My Love

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Married Life (Theme from UP)

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Kiss Me

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Ellen Hacker, Violist & Manager

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Hilary James, Cellist

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Anna Andrews, Violinist

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Overview

Serving Minnesota and surrounding states!

Watercress Strings is a versatile string ensemble based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. This women-led ensemble is committed to providing beautiful, memorable music at an affordable cost. While they perform most often as a string trio, they are also available as a quartet, duo, or solo musician.

The Watercress Trio brings fun and elegant music to weddings, corporate events, liturgical services, and private parties. There is an expansive selection of repertoire for you to choose from: Bridgerton, Beethoven, Taylor Swift, Tchaikovsky, Metallica, Mozart–-they can do it all! Contact Ellen for a free consultation.


Reviews

5 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Susan W.

Susan W.

May 24, 2026
Verified review

A Highlight of our event

We needed a unique gift for our graduating daughter and a standout element for her graduation celebration. Watercress Trio agreed willingly and joyfully to build a playlist of pop songs arranged for a string trio to play at her party as a surprise. It was a live “Bridgerton-esque” experience for our guests and daughter that completely made the event successful and memorable. We’ve received almost two dozen texts directly complimenting the music and the party was just a few hours ago.

These musicians are talented, easy to work with and very responsive. They played for 90 minutes of our 2 hour event exactly as we had agreed. I will absolutely use Watercress Trio for future events.

Hired as: String Trio


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Gia D.

Gia D.

October 16, 2024

Splendid in Every Way

The Watercress Trio played at a fundraiser for our domestic violence organization which elevated the celebration significantly. Not only were they sensitive and helpful in the planning stages, but they were consummate professionals throughout the event, needing to pivot mid-program, always wanting the best outcome. Their playing was extraordinarily beautiful, even fun and playful causing people to stop mid-conversation to say, "Hey! I recognize this one!" I fielded countless comments on their behalf. I couldn't recommend them more for any type of event you might be planning!

Hired as: String Trio


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Scott J.

Scott J.

August 22, 2023

Absolutely FANTASTIC group

The Watercress Trio were amazing. Their pre-event communication was perfect. Ellen worked with us on the correct mix of music for our event. They were friendly and professional; plus, their music was beautiful. If I could give them a higher than 5-star rating, I would.

Hired as: String Trio

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Watercress Trio

Thank you, Scott! We had a wonderful time playing for your event and we're so glad your guests enjoyed the music. Thank you for your kind words--all the best to you and your family,
Ellen


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Janice H.

Janice H.

February 13, 2023

Beautiful and meaningful music

Ellen performed so beautifully on violin and piano at my mother’s memorial service. The music was so lovely and such a memorable tribute to my late mother and her love of music. Ellen was professional, responsive, and flexible--she worked with me to prepare meaningful music that best celebrated my mother's life. She played a beautiful arrangement of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" that I will remember forever. I am so grateful for her musicianship and would recommend her to anyone wanting beautiful live music!

Hired as: Classical Ensemble

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Watercress Trio

Thank you, Janice! Playing your mother's service was incredibly special. I am so grateful my music could be a part of a service celebrating such a special woman.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Tommy V. W.

Tommy V. W.

January 25, 2023

A Great Experience!

From start to finish working with the Watercress String Trio was an great experience. Before the wedding, they went above and beyond helping us decide which music would match the mood we were looking for. On the day of the wedding, they arrived early, were extremely professional, and made the ceremony one that my wife and I will never forget.

Hired as: Classical Ensemble

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Watercress Trio

Thank you, Tommy! We love the violin + bass combination for wedding ceremonies and had a blast playing for you, J, and all your guests! All the best to you both.

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Booking information

Price range: $325 and up

Languages: English

Gig length: 60 - 360 minutes

Unions: AFM

About

We are The Watercress Trio, professional musicians who have enjoyed making music together since 2009. Each of us are full-time freelancing musicians and teachers, and we feel lucky to be able to share our love of music with our community.

We love providing live music for parties, corporate events, weddings, cocktail hours, memorial services, and more, and we are committed to selecting music that best complements you and your event.

What set us apart? Performing together and providing the perfect music for your event simply makes us happy. We want to get to know you so together we can create a memorable and personalized playlist.

When we’re not playing together, we each pursue varied musical careers. Between the three of us, we have toured internationally in an orchestra, recorded Indy rock, country, and punk albums, played the bars in an Irish band, performed in pit orchestras for musicals at Twin Cities theaters, and played the Xcel Energy Stadium with various artists. Our musical versatility is our strength – we can cover it all.

Additional booking notes

Acoustic string trio (no amplification)

We have the equipment to amplify our sound--please ask for more details!

Upcoming booked events

August 2026

22

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 6:30pm

Minneapolis, MN

Past booked events

May 2026

24

Sunday

Graduation

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Minneapolis, MN

June 2023

18

Sunday

Anniversary Party

11:00am - 1:00pm

St Paul, MN

October 2020

23

Friday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Pepin, WI

June 2018

16

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Minneapolis, MN

Team

Ellen Hacker contractor & violist
Anna Andrews violinist
Hilary James cellist

Setup requirements

3 armless chairs

7' x 7' space

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