Center Stage Strings was founded by renowned violinist and U-M Professor Danielle Belen to develop the talents of serious young classical music students in the areas of solo and chamber music performance. The natural beauty of the campus surroundings and the music intertwine in this four-week long institute to create a unique summer experience.

The young musicians chosen to participate will have a unique opportunity to focus purely on developing their talents without the distractions of normal, everyday life. An intense practice, lessons and coaching schedule is balanced with chamber music reading, socializing and recreational activities. Kayaking, hiking and trips to vibrant downtown Ann Arbor are just a few of the many fun activities available to the students. There is also a focus on our students becoming “Complete Musicians”, equipped with the skills needed for a professional musician today. These range from public speaking and stage presence to networking and even pedagogy.

In addition to the student-driven coursework of Center Stage Strings, there are also Guest Artist Recitals, Faculty Concerts and Masterclasses presented by world class artists and teachers.

SA'OAXACA is the first tuition free chamber music festival exclusively for string instrumentalist (violin, viola and cello) in Oaxaca, founded by the Amatista Quartet from the University of Michigan and partnered with the Fine Arts School (Escuela de Bellas Artes de la Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, UABJO) and the Fonoteca Juan León Mariscal of Centro Cultural San Pablo. The SA'OAXACA vision is to provide excellent chamber music opportunities to students in Mexico, creating a bridge between young professionals from prestigious music institutions and pre-professional students in Mexico. SA'OAXACA is also committed to increasing the study and promotion of Hispanic and Latin American composers. In the past 6 years the festival has provided private lessons, coachings, chamber rehearsals, orchestral rehearsals, masterclasses, conferences, and performances opportunities to over 200 students from México and across Latin America. We want to give special thanks the FONCA Mexican Federal Grant, the UNIVAS University, the Andrés Henestrosa Library and the Fonoteca Juan León Mariscal for making our sixth iteration possible. 

Lawrence University is pleased to announce the 2025 Lawrence Chamber Music Festival, held in Appleton, Wisconsin from July 19 – August 3, 2025. Designed for advanced instrumentalists and pre-formed ensembles ages 18+, the festival offers:

• Daily rehearsals, coachings, lessons, and symposia with world-class faculty

• Festival performances in a wide variety of venues, including Lawrence University Memorial Chapel, Gibson Music Hall, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

• An opportunity to curate unique performances in collaboration with local singer-songwriters from the Mile of Music Festival

• Musical growth in an inspirational environment

July 27 – August 10, 2025, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music presents the full spectrum of orchestral possibility, illuminating vibrant hues of music today. This transformative season features over 20 composers, nine in residence, seven guest artists, and the Festival Orchestra, four Festival commissions and bringing three world premieres to life. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of LGBTQIA Pride in Santa Cruz and the legacy of queer voices that have shaped the Festival, we present a co-commission by Jake Heggie. The season also showcases a new Creative Lab commission by Darian Donovan Thomas honoring the queer experience, and pays tribute to luminaries who have influenced the Festival, including Lou Harrison, John Corigliano, and Jennifer Higdon. True to our mission, the Festival continues to amplify established and emerging voices, embracing a kaleidoscope of new music.

Widening programmatic breadth even further, the Festival announces special guest conductor Daniela Candillari, bringing her “confidence and apparently inexhaustible verve” (The New York Times) as well as new composers never heard by Festival audiences to the first two concerts of the season. Cabrillo Festival Music Director, Cristian Măcelaru will return for the final two concerts. By choosing Candillari, the Festival widens perceptions on the colors of music today even further – Candillari collaborated with Music Director Măcelaru in selecting composers for the 2025 Season. An alumni of the Cabrillo Festival’s Conductors/Composers Workshop, Candillari has gone on to conduct with preeminent orchestras around the globe, and has a proven and deep history of championing new music and new voices in the field – a force for creative innovation and contemporary ideas.

This year’s composers in residence are Jake Heggie, John Corigliano, Stacy Garrop with a new orchestral song cycle, Missy Mazzoli, Jennifer Higdon, Tyson Gholston Davis, Rene Orth, Aleksandra Vrebalov, as well as Creative Lab composer and guest artist Darian Donovan Thomas. Works by Lou Harrison, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Adolphus Hailstork, Julia Wolfe, Karen LeFrak, Nina Shekar, and Frank Duarte are also on the program. This year’s guest artists include Jennifer Koh and Justin Bruns on violin, Tim McAllister on saxophone, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz, as well as baritone Sidney Outlaw.

As well as the concerts, the Festival will continue its tradition of hosting Open Rehearsals, Meet the Composers, pre-rehearsal talks, special workshops, additional performances, community partnerships and multiple free concerts spotlighting the work of emerging composers and artists.