Welcome

SummerFest Music Director and acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan has programmed an exciting festival focused on the theme Under the Influence. Over the course of four weeks, 20 performances, and 70 FREE Education Activities, you’re invited to explore the muses that seduced and inspired some of the greatest composers in musical history.

With a wide variety of activities, there are endless opportunities to learn something new and unlock your own creativity at SummerFest.

Open Rehearsals illuminate the dedication, diligence, and passion that SummerFest artists put into every performance, while Artist Lounges reveal the deeper influences and inspirations of some of the festival’s talented musicians, composers, and directors.

In our Encounters, we welcome back Alex Ross, music critic at The New Yorker, to examine the cultural impact of Richard Wagner, and we’re joined for the first time by Dr. Jennifer Walker, a respected scholar of French music who will transport us back in time for a weekend in Paris during La Belle Époque.

We also continue one of our most beloved and impactful programs, welcoming seven new Fellowship Artists to the festival. Follow their musical journey and build relationships with these emerging musicians by attending Coaching Workshops, Fellowship Artist Spotlight Encounters, and Musical Preludes.

I look forward to seeing you this summer!

Allison Boles Education & Community Programming Director

Support for SummerFest Education Activities provided by:

Judith Bachner and Eric Lasley Brenda Baker and Steve Baum Raffaella and John Belanich Gordon Brodfuehrer Sue and Chris Fan Clara Wu Tsai

Financial support is provided by the City of San Diego