Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Polanis.
Hi Jessie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
What began as a small string ensemble gradually evolved into something much larger through years of collaboration with planners, venues, and clients who were looking for more customized and immersive musical experiences. What started as my own passion for creating meaningful live music experiences slowly grew into a company centered around thoughtful collaboration, creativity, and personal connection.
In the early years, I was focused almost entirely on the music itself. Over time, I became increasingly interested in how live music shapes the emotional atmosphere of an event and how much trust clients and planners place in the people supporting those moments behind the scenes. That perspective changed the way I approached both the creative side of the business and leadership within it.
As the company grew, so did the scope of the events we were supporting — expanding from traditional ceremony music into multi-ensemble productions involving strings, jazz bands, vocalists, specialty instruments, and fully tailored music design throughout an event weekend. Managing a growing team of musicians while maintaining consistency, professionalism, and a strong client experience became just as important as the performances themselves.
That evolution ultimately led to the transition from Jaxstrings to Artifex — a brand that better reflects the broader creative direction of the company today while still maintaining the same collaborative approach and attention to detail that built the business in the first place.
Much of our growth has happened organically through relationships and referrals, which has allowed us to expand thoughtfully into new markets while continuing to support many of the planners and venues we’ve worked alongside for years. What has remained consistent throughout the process is the belief that live music has the ability to shape how people experience and remember meaningful moments, and that creating those experiences well requires both artistry and trust.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building this business has come with its share of growing pains. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to grow a highly personalized, creative business without losing the quality and consistency that made people trust us in the first place.
Because live events are so relationship-driven, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that people never see — managing logistics, supporting musicians, navigating last-minute changes, and making sure clients feel cared for during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. As the company grew, I had to learn very quickly that building a strong experience is not just about artistic talent; it’s also about communication, leadership, systems, and trust.
There were also seasons where growth required rethinking parts of the business entirely. Expanding into larger productions and new markets meant stepping outside of what felt familiar and becoming comfortable making decisions before I felt fully “ready” for them. The recent transition from Jaxstrings to Artifex is one example of that evolution. Rebranding something people already recognized carried risk, but it also felt necessary to reflect the direction the company had naturally grown into over time.
I think one of the biggest lessons along the way has been realizing that sustainable growth is less about trying to do everything and more about being intentional — with relationships, with team culture, and with the kind of experiences we want to create.
As you know, we’re big fans of Artifex. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Artifex specializes in creating customized live music experiences for weddings, events, and celebrations through thoughtfully curated ensembles and collaborative music design. While the company originally began with string ensembles, the work has expanded over time to include jazz bands, vocalists, specialty instruments, multi-ensemble productions, and larger-scale orchestration designed to support the overall atmosphere and flow of an event.
One of the things that sets Artifex apart is the level of intentionality behind both the creative and logistical side of the experience. We spend a great deal of time thinking about how live music interacts with the environment around it — not just the performance itself, but the pacing, emotional tone, guest experience, and transitions throughout an event. The goal is never simply to “fill space” with music, but to create something that feels cohesive and deeply connected to the overall experience.
The musicians and ensembles we work with bring experience from a wide range of performance backgrounds, including symphony, touring, recording, and live event production. That range of experience allows us to create music environments that feel both refined and adaptable while maintaining a high level of professionalism behind the scenes.
Collaboration is also a major part of how we work. Many of the events we support involve close coordination with planners, production teams, venues, and creative partners, and we’ve built the company around being adaptable, prepared, and easy to work alongside in high-detail event environments.
Brand-wise, I’m probably most proud that the company has grown primarily through relationships and referrals over the years. That trust has allowed us to continue evolving creatively while expanding into new markets and larger-scale productions without losing the collaborative approach that built the business in the first place.
At its core, Artifex is rooted in live music, but the heart of the company is really about creating atmosphere, supporting meaningful moments well, and bringing together artistry and professionalism in a way that feels both elevated and deeply human.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The majority of our work comes through weddings, private events, and collaborations with planners, venues, and creative teams who are looking for a more customized and thoughtfully designed live music experience. We love working closely with clients and industry partners to create music environments that feel cohesive with the overall atmosphere and vision of an event.
People can connect with us directly through our website or social platforms to inquire about events, collaborations, or creative partnerships. We currently support events throughout the Southeast and Mountain West, and many of the opportunities to grow into new areas within those regions have come organically through relationships with planners, venues, creative partners, and past clients.
We also always value connections with fellow creatives and industry professionals who share a similar approach to hospitality, artistry, and guest experience.
Readers can support the brand simply by following along, sharing our work, and continuing to champion live music and the artists behind it. A large part of our growth over the years has come through relationships, referrals, and people generously recommending us to others, and we never take that trust for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://:www.theartifexco.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theartifexcollective
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theartifexcollective
- Other: http://www.tiktok.com/@theartifexcollective
