Meet Kessler Strings

We draw upon a network of professional musicians in the Indianapolis area. Our players are classically trained musicians with years of professional experience. They have appeared with the Indianapolis Symphony, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Muncie Symphony, Anderson Symphony, New World Symphony (Miami), Louisville Symphony, Jacobs School of Music, Butler University, St Petersburg Conservatory (Russia), as well as recording studio work. The core of Kessler Strings is Susie Arrington, Anna Danilova-Thompson and Maggie Davis. 

SUSIE ARRINGTON

Founder, violist and business manager
Susie is a classically trained violist and has played professionally for over 20 years in regional orchestras, church services, weddings and other special events. She pairs her musical talents with strong organisational skills to make sure your event is both creative and well-planned. In additional to classical, she also has an interest in Celtic, jazz and making string music accessible to all. 
She lives in Broadripple with her husband, three chickens and two dogs.

ANNA DANILOVA-THOMPSON

Partner, cellist and artist
Originally from St. Petersburg Russia, Anna is an active freelance cellist and performs regularly with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. She also has a very active cello studio.  She has performed with a range of musical luminaries in many genres, from Harry Connick Jr to John Williams. Anna and her husband live in Indianapolis and are parents to a wonderful little boy.

MAGGIE DAVIS

Partner, violinist and rock star
​Maggie maintains a full teaching studio in Fishers and is a triple hitter when it comes to musical genres - as comfortable in a symphony as she is on stage in a rock band or Celtic jam. She has also been on Jeopardy! She lives in Meridian Kessler with her husband, two kitties and is the proud mom of a new born baby boy. 

Our story​
Susie and Anna met after Anna having just moved to Indianapolis, asked if Susie wanted to car pool. They had played previously together, but hadn’t really gotten to know each other.  After long car rides together, they have found that even though growing up on completely different sides of the world, no matter where you are from, when you connect with someone who gets you and is on your side – it is special.

Maggie and Susie met playing in a back-up band for the Fifth Dimension, of all things. Their paths kept crossing and they found both share a zany sense of humor and an obsession with popcorn. Board game nights and book reading, we love. Mornings, being photographed and mean people, we hate. As well as commas where they don’t belong.

Anna is the artist and coach. She helps us when we are stuck musically and gives us gentle guidance of how to make things better. Susie is the planner, organizer and listener.  Maggie has creative vision when it comes to repertoire selection and how to really connect with audiences for today.

We play to each other’s strengths – musical and otherwise. We are so glad you let us play for you and share our talents with you. We are here to make you happy.