String Daze plays fiddle music from around the world. The instrumentation of violin, cello, guitar and percussion gives the quartet a unique blend as the ensemble takes you on an international tour with their music, from classical fiddle music to Hungarian, swing jazz, and South American treasures. String Daze performs both outdoor and indoor concerts.

They have played in a variety of events including Woodfest in Elmdale, KS (2023 and 2022), Flint Hills Counterpoint Festival and other events (2021-2023), Emporia Porchfest (2021, 2022), Good Way Gardens (2023), parties, weddings and other private events. String Daze was established in Emporia, KS with a mix of classically trained and jazz musicians: Ramiro Miranda on violin, Irene Diaz Gill on cello, Riley Day on guitar and Kevin Rabas on percussion. All musicians are fine musicians and educators.

Ramiro Miranda

Ramiro teaches at Pittsburg State University, while pursuing an active career as a violinist and conductor. He has recently been on tour with Paraguayan jazz pianist Daniel Ayala, and he has also shared the stage with internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Berta Rojas, performing music by Agustin Pio Barrios and Heitor Villa Lobos.

Irene Diaz Gill

Irene is the orchestra director at Pittsburg Middle and High Schools, teaching strings while maintaining an active career as a cellist. Irene enjoys teaching and playing the cello. She performs regularly with the Jopara Ensemble, which specializes in Paraguayan music, and String Daze, which specializes in fiddle music from around the world.

Riley Day

Riley Day is the 6-12 grade orchestra director for Emporia middle school and high school as well as the guitar and double bass instructor at Emporia State University. Riley graduated from Emporia State with a BME and from Wichita State with a masters in double bass per formance. Along with teaching, Riley enjoys playing in numerous bands throughout Kansas in styles ranging from country, rock, classical, jazz, folk, funk, Hungarian gypsy, Paraguayan…basically anything he can get his hands on. Riley is also the Composer/bassist/bandleader for a 9-piece horn band, Daydream.

Kevin Rabas

Past Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019) Kevin Rabas teaches at Emporia State University. In the past, he performed steadily as a jazz drummer in KC with Bryan Hicks, Myra Taylor, Sharon James, and others. He currently plays original singer-songwriter folk, Americana, roots, jazz, world and chamber music with String Daze, The Petroglyphs, The Neighbors, among others. When he performs his poetry, he often accompanies himself on drums in the Beat tradition.

String Daze plays fiddle music from around the world. The ensemble has a well-varied repertoire and can cater music according to the event. Music selection includes tangos, music from Brazil and Paraguay, modern fiddle music, Hungarain folk, classics like Romanian Folk Dances and

$1,200 plus a mileage fee depending on the location of the event.

String Daze can provide an interactive, educational concert for all ages; masterclasses for violin, cello, guitar, bass and percussion; workshops on poetry and improvisation.

$240 for a single additional educational activity on the same day.

Q & A with the musicians and an interactive edition of our concert can be arranged for any groups interested like retirement homes, community spaces, children, universities, etc.