fiddlrgrrl said
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Can you give some examples of pop songs you'd like to learn?

Nothing specific. All of them, really.

I was too vague. I meant to say that the instructors could attract more people to the orch strings if they promoted them as instruments to play modern music, stuff we hear on the radio every day and buy on iTunes.

Say the words: violin, viola, and cello, and people think of: guys in formal attire playing stuff written 200 years ago, or child geniuses.

I have this idea that orchestral string teachers take an oath to start everybody with "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Amazing Grace" right before they introduce you to their regimented, classical cult.  If I tell a teacher, "I don't want to hear a single note of classical, or I'll find someone else," I think they'll be stumped. There must be other music for instruction somewhere.

I like all kinds of music. Have you ever heard of teachers who get their students started with contemporary music (top 40). If I get a violin I know I'll have to suss this music out for myself and transcribe it.  (I use MuseScore to transcribe pieces for my trumpet and ukulele.)

Despite this, I'm considering a violin, viola, or cello. They all have a wonderful sound.

A couple days ago I found 2CELLOS on Youtube, a great duo. They have imagination and also play beautifully. The only 'con' for the cello is its size. I don't know whether I could get it into my small pickup truck.