Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

SOLD OUT Festival Finale: Miró Quartet and Beth Newdome Fellows
2026-06-13 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Historic Courthouse, 416 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join us for a rousing 25th Anniversary Season closer with the Miró Quartet and the rising stars of the Beth Newdome Fellowship program. This concert is a celebration of mentorship, musical excellence, and community.
Immediately following the concert, all attendees are invited to join us for a food and wine reception to celebrate the end of our 25th Anniversary Season.
Program (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with 15-minute intermission)
BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 3
DEBUSSY String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
Intermission
MENDELSSOHN String Octet, Op.20 (first and last movements only)
SCHUBERT String Quartet No. 14 “Death and the Maiden” (presto)

Miró Quartet

The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, praised as “furiously committed” by The New Yorker and recognized for its “exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. For nearly 30 years, the GRAMMY®-nominated quartet has performed on the world’s most prestigious concert stages, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. Based in Austin, TX, and thriving on the area’s storied music scene, the Miró takes pride in finding new ways to communicate with audiences of all backgrounds while cultivating the longstanding tradition of chamber music. Miró Quartet’s recent and upcoming projects include a touring and recording project with pianist Lara Downes titled Here on Earth, featuring musical depictions of our planet, its evolution, and the lives of its inhabitants; the premiere of a new version of Kevin Puts’ Credo with the Naples Philharmonic; and collaborations with composers Steven Banks, Tamar-Kali, and Gabriel Kahane, as well as soprano Karen Slack. Having independently released many celebrated recordings for a variety of global labels, the Miró Quartet was nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for its second album on Pentatone, Home, featuring two new commissions by Kevin Puts and Caroline Shaw, as well as works by George Walker and Samuel Barber.
It was nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY® Award for Best Choral Performance for House of Belonging, created in collaboration with Austin-based choral group Conspirare. The quartet recently produced an Emmy Award-winning audiovisual multimedia project titled Transcendence, a documentary centered around a performance of Franz Schubert’s Quartet in G Major on rare Stradivarius instruments, available on livestream, CD, and Blu-ray. Formed in 1995, the Miró Quartet was awarded first prize at several national and international competitions including the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Competition. Deeply committed to music education, members of the Quartet have given master classes at universities and conservatories throughout the world, and since 2003 has served as the quartet-in-residence at the University of Texas at Austin Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music. In 2005, the Quartet became the first ensemble ever to be awarded the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. The Miró Quartet took its name and its inspiration from the Spanish artist Joan Miró, whose Surrealist works — with subject matter drawn from the realm of memory, dreams, and imaginative fantasy — are some of the most groundbreaking, influential, and admired of the 20th century.

Am Meer Quartet

The Am Meer Quartet was established in 2025 at Manhattan School of Music and studies under Peter Winograd of the American String Quartet.
A native of Bethesda, Maryland, violist Harry Panner is pursuing his Masters in Music at Manhattan School of Music. Harry currently studies with Cong Wu, Assistant Principal Violist of the New York Philharmonic. Harry has performed as soloist with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, in various chamber ensembles at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and as principal violist under the baton of Delyana Lazarova at the Round Top Festival Institute. An avid chamber musician, Harry has participated in masterclasses with leading musicians and ensembles including Emanuel Ax, the Juilliard String Quartet, the Miró Quartet, the Aizuri Quartet, and the Calder Quartet, among others. While a student at Amherst College, Harry helped to cofound the Amherst College Artist Connections program, connecting the college with the broader community through local outreach concerts and advocating support for music at the college with performances for the president and board of the institution. In 2025, Harry graduated Summa Cum Laude with distinction from Amherst College with majors in Music and in French.
Japanese-American violinist Kayla Yagi-Bacon is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Peter Winograd of the American String Quartet. She earned her Bachelor of Music with electives in business from the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University where she studied under Amy Schwartz Moretti, Robert McDuffie, and David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kayla has served as concertmaster and principal of the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra, and in 2024, she was part of the Concertmaster Studio at the Brevard Music Center, leading the season’s final concert as concertmaster while studying with Robyn Bollinger of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As an active chamber musician, she has performed with Matthew Lipman, Brannon Cho, Sydney Lee, Timothy Cobb, Fabiola Kim, Annie Fullard, Lawrence Dutton, Wolfram Koessel, Andrew Armstrong, and others. In her free time, she loves to bake and cook for friends and family.
Riku Korenaga is a violinist from Bethany, Connecticut. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studies with Nicholas Mann. He recently graduated from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance under the guidance of Cornelia Heard. Riku began playing the violin at age three and has studied with distinguished teachers including Naoko Tanaka and Kikuei Ikeda. He is passionate about both solo and chamber music and has spent five summers at the Meadowmount School of Music and the past two summers at the Aspen Music Festival. He has participated in masterclasses with Gil Shaham and Edgar Meyer. He was the winner of the 2017 Hamden Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and received first prize in the 2019 Mitchell Family Fund Wallingford Symphony Orchestra String Concerto Competition, performing the Dvořák Violin Concerto for the orchestra’s children’s concerts. In addition to violin, Riku enjoys playing the piano—having studied with Amy Dorfman at Blair—and produces indie pop music for his sister in his free time.
Born and raised in Shanghai, Juewen Zhang is a cellist and Master of Music candidate in Orchestral Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Alan Stepansky. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction and an Advanced Diploma in Performance from the Eastman School of Music, studying with David Ying. Juewen has served as Principal Cellist of the New York City Orchestra Project and has appeared as principal and assistant principal cellist under the direction of Christopher Eschenbach, Leonard Slatkin, Michael Sanderling, and David Chan. She has performed in major concert halls across the United States and Europe, including the Elbphilharmonie, the Konzerthaus Berlin, Koncertsalen Alsion, and Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, and has participated in festivals such as the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Brevard Music Center Summer Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. In addition to performance, she is deeply committed to music outreach and community engagement, having worked as a Performing Artist with Eastman Performing Arts Medicine in hospital settings and as a Program Assistant with the Harmony Program in New York City, supporting music education initiatives for children in underserved communities.

Knödel String Quartet

Formed at Manhattan School of Music and based in NYC, the Knödel String Quartet—violinists Jihyun Baik and Yuyu Ikeda, violist Yat Lee, and cellist Hannah Kim—currently studies with Nicholas Mann and Peter Winograd. The quartet has appeared at the 2026 Robert Mann String Quartet Institute, and has additionally worked with esteemed artists including Wolfram Kossel, Eugene Drucker, Sam Rhodes, David Geber, and Mark Steinberg.
Violinist Yuyu Ikeda debuted at the age of ten with the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra. Currently based in New York, she performs regularly with the New York Classical Players and Princeton Symphony Orchestra. During the 2022–23 season, she served as concertmaster of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra and assistant concertmaster of the Juilliard Orchestra. An active chamber musician, Yuyu is a first prize recipient of the Ruth Widder String Quartet Competition, and has appeared at Juilliard’s 37th Annual Focus Festival and the Sarasota Music Festival, where her performance was featured on WQXR-FM. A dedicated educator, she currently serves on the faculty of the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School and previously taught for Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program and the 2023 Artists Program Chamber Music Festival. She also regularly programs outreach concerts with Concerts in Motion and Project Music Heals Us. Yuyu holds degrees from Juilliard and Oberlin Conservatory, as well as a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oberlin College, and is currently pursuing a Professional Performance Diploma at the Manhattan School of Music.
Jihyun Baik is a New York–based violinist whose musical life is rooted in collaboration, community engagement, and teaching. Born in South Korea, she developed her passion for the violin under the influence of her mother, a dedicated Suzuki violin teacher. A prizewinner of the 2020 Euroasia International Competition, Jihyun has appeared as a soloist with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra, and Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn. In 2025, she received the Manfred-Grommek-Förderpreis at the Kronberg Academy Masterclasses and was awarded First Prize at the Ruth Widder Competition for String Quartets. She is also a laureate of the Chicago Violin Competition and received a special prize at the Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition. Jihyun has participated in major music festivals including the Taos School of Music, Heifetz Institute of Music Chamber Music Seminar, Aspen Music Festival, and Pacific Music Festival. She toured as a member of the Heifetz Ensemble in Residence and collaborated with artists such as violist Paul Neubauer. Jihyun attended Korea National University of Arts on special admission at age sixteen, received her Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Manhattan School of Music.
Hong Kong violist Yat Lee has performed extensively across Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East, appearing in leading venues including the Musikverein Wien, Wiener Konzerthaus, Berlin Konzerthaus, Royal Albert Hall, Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Carnegie Hall, KKL Luzern, Victoria Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, and Suzhou Museum. An avid chamber musician, Lee has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Maxim Vengerov, Nobuko Imai, Renaud Capuçon, Gérard Caussé, Liviu Prunaru, Clemens Hagen, Antonio Lysy, and Gilbert Kalish. He has been invited to major international festivals including Wien Modern, Prussia Cove, Gstaad Menuhin, Pablo Casals, Kuhmo, Music@Menlo, Stauffer, and Beare’s Premiere Music Festival, and has appeared on international broadcasts for ORF, Léman Bleu, and RTHK. A prizewinner of the Kreisler Institute Competition (Vienna) and the Ruth Widder Competition (New York), Lee is currently studying at the Manhattan School of Music with Pinchas Zukerman and Patinka Kopec on full scholarship. He performs on a c.1800 John Betts viola on loan from the PostScript Collection through Beare’s International Violin Society.
Hannah Jiwon Kim is a Korean-American cellist based in New York City. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School (B.M. 2022) and the Royal Academy of Music in London (M.Mus. 2024), and has performed at major international venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Lincoln Center. Highlights of the 2026–2027 season include concerto appearances with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic at the Schönbrunn Palace Theater and with the Madrid Atlántida Chamber Orchestra at the National Auditorium, as well as tours of Greece and the Netherlands with the Athens State Orchestra and the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra of Szolnok. In summer 2026, she will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin and Cello in Europe. Hannah has appeared at festivals such as Orford Musique, Música en Compostela, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet Seminar, and has collaborated with leading artists including Barbara Hannigan and Emmanuel Ax. A committed multidisciplinary artist, she is the founder of Irregular Pearl, a nonprofit digital platform dedicated to innovative, accessible classical music education and resource-sharing.

Beethoven & Beer (4:30 PM SOLD OUT or 7:30 PM)
2026-06-10 16:30 - 20:30 | Mocama Beer Company, 629 South 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Raise a glass with the Miró Quartet at our signature casual concert blending masterful Beethoven with a relaxed brewery vibe. It’s the perfect pairing of tradition and fun!
Two identical show will take place on Wednesday, June 10, 2026; one at 4:30pm (SOLD OUT) and one at 7:30pm. Please make sure you are purchasing tickets for the correct showtime.
To view concert logistics information, please click below:
4:30 PM show: https://mailchi.mp/7c66506c6499/concert-details-for-beethoven-beer
7:30 PM show: https://mailchi.mp/5cc6032ba3d5/concert-details-for-beethoven-beer-14726496
Where do I find my concert time? Your concert time is printed directly under “Your Ticket” on your ticket. Please double-check whether your ticket says 4:30 PM or 7:30 PM before arriving. If you have questions, please call 904-261-1779.
Program (approximately 1 hour with no intermission)
BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130
Presto
HAYDN String Quartet in D major, Op. 71, “Apponyi”, No. 2
Adagio – Allegro
Adagio cantabile
CAROLINE SHAW “Microfictions”
Movements 2, 3, & 5
RAVEL String Quartet in F major
Allegro moderato – Très doux
Vif et agité
Miró Quartet

The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, praised as “furiously committed” by The New Yorker and recognized for its “exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. For nearly 30 years, the GRAMMY®-nominated quartet has performed on the world’s most prestigious concert stages, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. Based in Austin, TX, and thriving on the area’s storied music scene, the Miró takes pride in finding new ways to communicate with audiences of all backgrounds while cultivating the longstanding tradition of chamber music. Miró Quartet’s recent and upcoming projects include a touring and recording project with pianist Lara Downes titled Here on Earth, featuring musical depictions of our planet, its evolution, and the lives of its inhabitants; the premiere of a new version of Kevin Puts’ Credo with the Naples Philharmonic; and collaborations with composers Steven Banks, Tamar-Kali, and Gabriel Kahane, as well as soprano Karen Slack. Having independently released many celebrated recordings for a variety of global labels, the Miró Quartet was nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for its second album on Pentatone, Home, featuring two new commissions by Kevin Puts and Caroline Shaw, as well as works by George Walker and Samuel Barber.
It was nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY® Award for Best Choral Performance for House of Belonging, created in collaboration with Austin-based choral group Conspirare. The quartet recently produced an Emmy Award-winning audiovisual multimedia project titled Transcendence, a documentary centered around a performance of Franz Schubert’s Quartet in G Major on rare Stradivarius instruments, available on livestream, CD, and Blu-ray. Formed in 1995, the Miró Quartet was awarded first prize at several national and international competitions including the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Competition. Deeply committed to music education, members of the Quartet have given master classes at universities and conservatories throughout the world, and since 2003 has served as the quartet-in-residence at the University of Texas at Austin Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music. In 2005, the Quartet became the first ensemble ever to be awarded the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. The Miró Quartet took its name and its inspiration from the Spanish artist Joan Miró, whose Surrealist works — with subject matter drawn from the realm of memory, dreams, and imaginative fantasy — are some of the most groundbreaking, influential, and admired of the 20th century.

Marasco Young Artists’ Concert
2026-05-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Celebrate the next generation of talented musicians from Nassau County in this concert featuring local young musicians. This vibrant new concert tradition is in remembrance of the Festival’s former Executive Director, Dr. Joe Marasco.
The Festival will also host a cookie and juice reception immediately following the concert, to give our young performers an opportunity to meet their fans!
Performers:
Allegiance Youth Choir
Eloise Fleck | voice
Mark, Maggie, and Levi Thrift | bass, fiddle, and guitar
Peregrine Kirby | piano
Samira Dean | voice
Abigail Farina and Jeremiah Jones | piano duo
TJ Ryan | guitar
Natalie Ealum | voice
Nathan Ealum | cello
Victoria Maltagliati | clarinet
and others!

SOLD-OUT Khatia Buniatishvili, piano
2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Preserve at The Amelia River Club, 4477 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
A global sensation, Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili brings her signature intensity and poetic power to Amelia Island for a rare, unforgettable recital.
Please click here for concert logistics information: https://mailchi.mp/9a56b95b5e11/concert-details-for-khatia-buniatishvili
Program (subject to change)
*Concert length: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes without intermission*
Schubert: Sonata in B-flat Major, D.960
15-Minute Intermission
Schubert/Liszt: Gretchen am Spinnrade
Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Liszt: Consolation n.3
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 in D-flat Major
Khatia Buniatishvili
An electrifying virtuoso with dazzling musicality, Georgian-French pianist Buniatishvili is an unparalleled artist, passionately committed to her craft.
A fixture in the most prestigious venues around the world, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, Berliner Philharmonie, Royal Festival Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus, Philharmonie de Paris, and Suntory Hall, as well as at the Salzburg, Verbier, BBC Proms, Progetto Martha Argerich, and the Hollywood Bowl festivals. Her notable collaborations involve the Israel Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, NHK Symphony, London Symphony, Orchestre National de Paris, and Munich Philharmonic, and prominent conductors, among them Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Paavo Järvi, Jaap Van Zweden, Gianandrea Noseda, Myung-Whun Chung and Leonard Slatkin.
Recipient of two ECHO Klassik Awards, Khatia is an exclusive Sony Artist, whose recordings encompass the works of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Liszt, Bach, and Schubert, as well as Satie, Morricone, Gainsbourg, Pärt, and Cage. In addition to her solo albums, she has recorded with Gidon Kremer, Paavo Järvi, and the band Coldplay.
A committed humanitarian, she has participated in benefit concerts for causes close to her heart: the plight of refugees, the United Nations, human rights, and music education.
Beginning piano lessons with her mother at the age of three, Khatia gave her first concert with the Chamber Orchestra of Tbilisi at six. She studied with Tengiz Amiredjibi in Tbilisi and went on to work with Oleg Maisenberg in Vienna.

Family Concert: Just Jazzin’ Around with the Gary Motley Trio
2026-04-18 15:00 - 16:30 | Maxwell Hall at Memorial United Methodist Church, 50 N 6th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
The Gary Motley Trio introduces young audiences to the quintessential American musical art form in this fun, interactive, and free performance. Designed for young listeners but perfect for music lovers of all ages!
Maxwell Hall is located behind the Memorial United Methodist Church Sanctuary, on 6th Street.
Gary Motley
Gary Motley is a jazz pianist, teacher, composer, arranger, and author who has been a prominent figure in the jazz scene of the southeastern United States since he started his solo career in 1994. He is renowned for his exceptional skills as a pianist and composer across various genres, such as straight-ahead jazz and chamber music. His talent has been recognized by multiple organizations like the American Composers Forum, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition. In 2015, he was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, Gary has collaborated with many leading jazz artists and released over 30 albums. His latest album, Spectrum (2024), features Edwin Livingston (bass) and Clarence Penn (drums. He has appeared as a guest on NPR’s Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland and performed with renowned musicians, including Dave Brubeck, Regina Carter, Mel Tormé, and Bob Mintzer. His compositions span multiple genres and have premiered at national and international festivals.
Apart from his artistic work, Gary is committed to jazz education. He is a teaching professor and the founding Director of Jazz Studies at Emory University. Gary authored Harmonic Development and Contrapuntal Techniques for the Jazz Pianist (Taylor & Francis, 2024).
Emrah Kotan
Emrah Kotan, an accomplished and versatile musician, hailing from Turkey, has established himself as a distinguished percussionist with a rich blend of classical training and contemporary jazz expertise. Graduating with a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University in the United States, Emrah’s musical journey knows no boundaries.
Emrah’s performances have graced illustrious stages across the globe, from the vibrant Istanbul Jazz Festival and the captivating Singapore Jazz Festival, to the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival and the legendary Blue Note in New York. His artistry transcends genres and cultures, reflecting a profound and unique musical sensibility that captivates audiences and peers alike.
Andy Eulau
Bassist Andy Eulau is a musical product of the vast diversity that defines his native New York metropolitan area.
A veteran of the New York music scene, his “drive and rich sound” (Downbeat Magazine) led to associations with the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the BMI Jazz Orchestra, Gene Bertoncini, S.Y.O.T.O.S., and the Gary Morgan Pan-American Big Band, as well as several theater and symphony orchestras.
Andy has performed all over the world in the concert halls and jazz clubs of four continents—Africa, Asia, Europe and North America—with a long list of artists—most notably Ray Barretto, Anthony Braxton, Freddie Bryant and Bobby Sanabria.
Recording credits include dates with the Bill Charlap Trio, Cliff Korman and the Brazilian Tinge, and the Anthony Braxton Quartet.
Publications such as Downbeat, All About Jazz, The Sunday Herald, and Guardian Unlimited have given him favorable mention. He’s been honored as a Jazz Ambassador by The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the U.S. Department of State.
Andy holds a Master of Music degree from world-renowned North Texas University, winning awards in both the Jazz and Classical performance areas. His education includes formal private study with Lyn Christie, Eleanor Hancock, Jack Messing, Ed Rainbow, and Irwin Stahl. He’s also studied informally with Milt Hinton, Ray Brown, Rufus Reid, and Harvie S.
His education methods are informed by not only his wide musical performance palette, but also by his extensive teaching experience at The Steiner School, New York University, Rutgers University, Kean University, Drew University, and New Jersey City University, where he taught applied lessons in classical and jazz double bass and bass guitar as well as jazz improvisation and jazz history classes. He also conducted and coached combos, chamber groups and jazz ensembles.
Upon relocating to the Atlanta, GA area in 2019, he enjoys widening his musical palette and sharing his skill set with others in his new home. He is currently teaching at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville Alabama, and Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

SOLD-OUT Emmylou Harris and Friends
2026-03-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa, 39 Beach Lagoon Road, Amelia Island, FL, 32034
*The concert is sold out, and our waitlist has reached capacity, so we’re no longer taking additional names.
Join us for a truly special night as legendary artist Emmylou Harris takes the stage in the newly renovated Amelia Ballroom at the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa in a concert benefitting Nassau Humane Society. With her timeless voice and storytelling, Harris will be joined by three extraordinary friends: acclaimed Irish singer Maura O’Connell, Tammy Rogers King, co-founder of the Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival, and John Mock, American multi-instrumentalist & composer. Together, they will create an unforgettable evening of song and harmony. The proceeds will benefit the Nassau Humane Society, making this concert not only a celebration of music, but also a gift to our community.
Traffic Advisory
Due to ongoing road construction at Amelia Island Parkway and Buccaneer Trail, road closures will be in effect the day of the concert.

Parts of Amelia Parkway will be closed, along with parts of Buccaneer Trail.
A detour is in place via 14th Street → Simmons Road → Fletcher Avenue (A1A). Click here to view a map of the suggested detour.
Please allow an additional 5–15 minutes of travel time, depending on traffic.
Navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps) should reflect the detour.

For the smoothest arrival, we recommend allowing extra time when traveling to the concert.
Parking/Shuttle Buses
Parking at the Omni Conference Center is very limited. Guests are strongly encouraged to carpool or arrange to be dropped off. Most guests will park in one of the two on-property satellite parking lots and take a complimentary shuttle to the venue.

Two Satellite Parking Locations: (both within the Omni Resort complex – detailed directions are at the bottom of this email)

Racquet Park is our primary parking location and will have the most frequent shuttle service. Once Racquet Park fills, guests will be directed to Oak Marsh, which will also have continuous shuttle service.
Racquet Park (primary lot near Nonna Mia) – Racquet Park Dr, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Click here to open this location in Google Maps.
Oak Marsh (near the Oaks Community Center) – 203 Sea Marsh Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Click here to open this location in Google Maps.

Valet Parking: Valet parking is available at the front of the hotel for $40 per vehicle. Guests may choose to valet their car and walk approximately 5 minutes to the Omni Conference Center.
Shuttle Details:

Shuttles begin running at 3:15 PM
Shuttle ride time: just a few minutes
Please note which lot you parked in, as shuttle buses will display signs indicating their destination.

Arrival Recommendation:

Plan to board a shuttle no later than 4:15 PM to arrive and be seated before the concert begins
For the smoothest experience, we recommend arriving at the parking lots by 3:50 PM
Guests arriving closer to 4:15 PM should expect longer wait times

Accessibility & Reserved Parking:

Guests with handicap placards or accessibility needs may park in the Omni Parking Garage. Click here to open this location in Google Maps.

To read more concert details, please view our venue email here: https://mailchi.mp/7a61d2732926/important-emmylou-harris-parking-information?e=5dbfc3750f

Viano Quartet | Zuill Bailey, cello
2026-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
The award-winning Viano Quartet joins Festival favorite and GRAMMY-Award winning cellist Zuill Bailey for a night of chamber music synergy.
Program (to last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with intermission included)
Capriccio from Four Pieces, Op. 81 by Felix Mendelssohn
String Quartet in D Major, Op. 44 No. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn
Intermission
String Quintet in C Major, D. 956 Franz Schubert

Viano Quartet
Praised for their “virtuosity, visceral expression, and rare unity of intention” (Boston Globe), the Viano Quartet are among the most sought-after young ensembles today and recipients of the 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Since winning First Prize at the 13th Banff International String Quartet Competition, they have performed in major cities including New York, London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong, Beijing, Toronto, and Los Angeles. They are currently members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program (2024–2027).
Highlights of their 2024–25 season include their Alice Tully Hall debut, opening CMS’s season, and their David Geffen Hall debut with Sir Stephen Hough for the world premiere of his new piano quintet. Other appearances include Wolf Trap, Northwestern University, MoCA Westport, and chamber music series in Dallas, Salt Lake City, and Carmel. In Canada, they will perform in Toronto, Kingston, and Vancouver, collaborating with guitarist Miloš Karadaglić. As Music in the Morning’s inaugural June Goldsmith Quartet-in-Residence, they will return to Vancouver in March for performances and community engagement.
Committed to education, the Viano Quartet has taught at Music@Menlo, SUNY Buffalo, the Colburn Academy, and Duke University, among others. This season includes an extended residency at the University of Victoria. Previous residencies include the Curtis Institute, Colburn Conservatory, and SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts.
Their collaborators include Emanuel Ax, Inon Barnatan, James Ehnes, Marc-André Hamelin, Bridget Kibbey, and Elisso Virsaladze. Their debut album, Portraits (Curtis Label), features works by Schubert, Price, Tchaikovsky, and Ginastera.
Before their Banff win, the quartet earned top prizes at the Wigmore Hall, Osaka, Fischoff, ENKOR, and Yellow Springs competitions. They studied under members of the Dover, Guarneri, and Tokyo Quartets.
The name “Viano” symbolizes the unity of the four string instruments, playing together like one instrument—like a piano.
Zuill Bailey

Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the premiere cellists in the world, is a Grammy Award winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, Artistic Director and teacher. His rare combination of celebrated artistry, technical wizardry and engaging personality has made him one of the most sought after and active cellists today.
Mr. Bailey has been featured with symphony orchestras and music festivals worldwide. He won the Best Solo Performance Grammy Award in 2017, for his recording of Michael Daugherty’s “Tales of Hemingway,” with the Nashville Symphony led by Giancarlo Guerrero. His extensive discography includes his newest release – the world premier recording of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Cello Concerto with the Santa Rosa Symphony. In 2021 he released his second recording of the Bach Cello Suites for PS Audio’s Octave Records label, recorded and mixed in stereo and multichannel sound.
He appeared in a recurring role on the HBO series “Oz,” and has been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” “Tiny Desk Concert,” “Performance Today,” “Saint Paul Sunday,” BBC’s “In Tune,” XM Radio’s “Live from Studio II,” Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Virtuoso Voices,” and his latest disc of Bach Suites was the disc of the week on Sirius’ Symphony Hall.

Mr. Bailey received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Peabody Conservatory where he was named the 2014 Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Alumni, and received a Master’s Degree from the Juilliard School. He performs on the “rosette” 1693 Matteo Gofriller Cello formerly owned by Mischa Schneider of the Budapest String Quartet.
He is the Artistic Director of El Paso Pro-Musica (Texas), the Sitka Summer Music Festival/Series and Cello Seminar, (Alaska), Juneau Jazz and Classics, (Alaska), the Northwest Bach Festival (Washington), Classical Inside Out Series- Mesa Arts Center (Arizona) and is Director of the Center for Arts Entrepreneurship and Professor of Cello at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Meet the Musician: Zuill Bailey
2026-03-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, 1430 Park Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Beloved by Festival audiences, Grammy Award–winning cellist Zuill Bailey returns for an engaging evening of stories, insights, and music‑making memories. One of the world’s premiere cellists, Bailey is known for his rare blend of artistry, technical mastery, and charismatic stage presence, heard in acclaimed performances with top orchestras and in his extensive, award‑winning discography. This free event offers an on‑stage interview, audience Q&A, photo opportunities, and a cash bar.
Experience this world‑renowned artist up close before his performance the following day, March 13, 2026, at Amelia Plantation Chapel.

String Quartet Masterclass with Viano Quartet
2026-03-12 14:30 - 16:30 | University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive Building 45, Fine Arts Center, Suite 2004, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
Don’t miss a chance to observe the acclaimed Viano Quartet in a public masterclass on March 12, 2026, from 2:30–4:30 PM in the Recital Hall at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Center (Building 45). Recognized as one of the most sought-after young ensembles performing today, the Viano Quartet are recipients of the prestigious 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and are rapidly earning a place among the finest chamber groups of their generation.
This event is free and open to the public for observation and is presented in collaboration with the University of North Florida. No RSVP is required.
A campus map is available at https://www.unf.edu/parking/files/certified.rf.CampusMap_ROADCLOSURE.pdf.
The address is :
University of North Florida
Fine Arts Center
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville FL 32224
A parking garage is located adjacent to the Fine Arts Center. Parking is available for a daily rate of $5. Payment can be made by scanning the QR codes posted throughout the garage and using the associated mobile parking app.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra | Marc-André Hamelin, piano
2026-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | First Baptist Church, 1600 8th St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Already have tickets? Click here for important venue and concert information.
The world-renowned, conductor-less Orpheus Chamber Orchestra brings its signature precision and collaborative energy to Amelia Island in a landmark performance featuring 11-time Grammy-nominated pianist Marc-André Hamelin.
Program:
*This concert is scheduled to last a little more than two hours, including an intermission.*
Beethoven – Allegretto from Piano Sonata No. 17, The Tempest
Orchestrated by Zachary Wadsworth
Marc-André Hamelin – Passacaglia for piano and strings
Liszt – Wanderer Fantasy, Op. 15 (after Schubert D.760)
Orchestrated by Sahun Sam Hong, commissioned by Orpheus
Schubert – Chamber Symphony in B-flat Major (after Piano Sonata D. 960)
Orchestrated by Heribert Breuer
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a radical experiment in musical democracy, proving for over fifty years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process. Orpheus began in 1972 when cellist Julian Fifer assembled a group of New York freelancers in their early twenties to play orchestral repertoire as if it were chamber music. In that age of co-ops and communes, the idealistic Orpheans snubbed the “corporate” path of symphony orchestras and learned how to play, plan, and promote concerts as a true collective, with leadership roles rotating from the very first performance.
It’s one thing for the four players of a string quartet to lean into the group sound and react spontaneously, but with 20 to 30 musicians together, the complexities and payoffs are magnified exponentially. Within its first decade, Orpheus made Carnegie Hall their home and became a global sensation through tours of Europe and Asia. Their catalog of recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Nonesuch, and other labels grew to include more than 70 albums that still stand as benchmarks of the chamber orchestra repertoire, including Haydn symphonies, Mozart concertos, and twentieth-century gems by Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Ravel, and Bartók.
The sound of Orpheus is defined by relationships, and guest artists have always been crucial partners in the process. Orpheus brings out the best in their collaborators, with bonds that deepen over time, as heard in the long arc of music-making with soloists such as Richard Goode, Vadim Gluzman, Anne Akiko Meyers, and Branford Marsalis, and in the commitment to welcoming next-generation artists including Nobuyuki Tsujii, Tine Thing Helseth, and Caleb Teicher. By partnering with jazz legends Brad Mehldau, Wayne Shorter, and Vijay Iyer, as well as actors Christine Baranski and Liev Schreiber, Orpheus expands the boundaries of what a chamber orchestra can achieve. Collaborating with composers like Jessie Montgomery, Billy Childs, and Fazil Say has been another crucial way Orpheus evolves, commissioning numerous world-premieres every year. Having proven the power of direct communication and open-mindedness within the ensemble, the only relationship Orpheus has never had any use for is one with a conductor.
At home in New York and in the many concert halls it visits in the U.S. and beyond, Orpheus begins their next fifty years with a renewed commitment to enriching and reflecting the surrounding community. Orpheus Reflections™ brings the healing power of music to those living with dementia and their caregivers. Celebrating more than twenty years, Access Orpheus shares the orchestra’s collaborative process with 1,500 New York City Public School students annually through coachings, school visits, and unparalleled access to their rehearsals and performances at Carnegie Hall. And through the Orpheus Leadership Institute, the musicians impart positive lessons of leadership and democracy to global organizations and businesses. Always evolving as artists and leaders, the Orpheus musicians carry their legacy forward, counting on their shared artistry and mutual respect to make music and effect change.
Marc-André Hamelin
Pianist Marc-André Hamelin, praised by The New York Times as a “performer of near-superhuman technical prowess,” is renowned worldwide for his blend of virtuosity and deep musical insight. Equally at home in major repertoire and adventurous rarities, he performs with leading orchestras and conductors across the globe and appears regularly in top recital venues and festivals.
In 2024–2025, Hamelin gives recitals across Asia—including Beijing, Xi’an, Seoul, and a duo tour in Japan with Charles Richard-Hamelin—as well as solo performances in Shanghai, Chengdu, and Gulangyu. His European season includes appearances in Warsaw, Copenhagen, Florence, Budapest, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and London’s Wigmore Hall, among others. Orchestral engagements include RTVE Madrid, Prague Radio Symphony, Bruckner Orchester Linz, and the São Paulo State Symphony, with a tour to the Bogotá International Classical Music Festival.
In North America, he returns to Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Bernard Labadie for Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. He also performs with the Cleveland Orchestra, Montreal and Atlanta Symphonies, and embarks on a complete Beethoven cycle with the Edmonton Symphony. Recital stops include San Francisco, Toronto, Boston, Caramoor, and a national tour with the Dover Quartet, performing his own Piano Quintet.
An exclusive Hyperion Records artist, Hamelin has released 89 albums. Highlights include his 2024 recordings of Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata and an album of his own compositions, New Piano Works, praised for its originality and emotional depth. His other recent releases feature music by Fauré, C.P.E. Bach, and Bolcom.
A celebrated composer-pianist, Hamelin’s works are published by Edition Peters. His compositions include Études, Toccata on L’homme armé, and the recent Hexensabbat and Mazurka, premiered at the Library of Congress in 2024.
Born in Montreal, Hamelin resides in Boston with his wife, Cathy Fuller. His honors include the Order of Canada, the Ordre national du Québec, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Record Critics’ Association. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada.

Florida’s Finest featuring Amernet Quartet | Lawson Ensemble | Jasmin Arakawa, piano | Kevin Kenner, piano
2026-02-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
An extraordinary showcase of some of Florida’s finest classical talent, featuring the Amernet Quartet, the Lawson Ensemble, and acclaimed pianists Jasmin Arakawa and Kevin Kenner in a celebration of homegrown excellence.
Program (2 hours total)
Iberia by Isaac Albeniz
1. Málaga
2. Eritaña
Jasmin Arakawa, piano
String Trio No. 3 in G major, Op. 9 No. 1 by Ludwig van Beethoven
1. Adagio – Allegro con brio
The Lawson Ensemble
Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, #1 by Frederic Chopin
Polonaise in F# Minor, Op. 44 by Frederic Chopin
Kevin Kenner, piano
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60 by Johannes Brahms
III. Andante
Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25 by Johannes Brahms
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese
The Lawson Ensemble; Jasmin Arakawa, piano
Intermission
String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80 by Felix Mendelssohn
I. Allegro vivace assai
II. Allegro assai
III. Adagio
IV. Finale: Allegro molto
The Amernet String Quartet

The Amernet Quartet
The Amernet String Quartet has earned recognition as one of today’s exceptional chamber ensembles, performing across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Known for their “extraordinary beauty of sound, virtuosic brilliance, and flawless intonation” (Nürnberger Nachrichten), the quartet has collaborated with distinguished artists such as the Tokyo and Ying quartets, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Roberto Díaz, Gary Hoffman, Ida Kavafian, Anthony McGill, Joseph Kalichstein, Sherrill Milnes, and Michael Tree.
Festival appearances include Cervantino, San Miguel de Allende, and Aviv (Israel), among others. U.S. engagements range from the Kennedy Center and Caramoor to Chamber Music Society of Louisville and Music on the Edge in Pittsburgh. As quartet soloists, they’ve performed with the Cincinnati Symphony under Alan Gilbert. The ensemble gained early acclaim by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo International Music Competition and first prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition.
Currently Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University, the Amernet previously held residencies at Northern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and Caramoor Center for the Arts. The group is also active in education, offering master classes across the U.S. and abroad at institutions including Columbia, Princeton, and Penn State, and in countries such as Colombia, Israel, and Serbia.
Deeply committed to contemporary music, the Amernet has commissioned and performed works by composers such as John Corigliano, Augusta Read Thomas, Pierre Jalbert, Bernard Rands, and Chinary Ung. Their acclaimed discography features works by Morton Subotnick, Stephen Dankner, Judith Lang Zaimont, Dmitri Tymoczko, and others. The quartet also embraces innovative collaborations with artists from jazz, dance, and liturgical music.
The Amernet champions underrepresented composers, especially of the Jewish diaspora, and explores unique programming like Jeffrey Briggs’s reimaginings of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. Their current season includes tours in Europe, Latin America, and Israel, alongside new work premieres.
Lawson Ensemble
The Lawson Ensemble was formed in 2015 as a result of group members’ desire to consistently perform chamber music with a level of excellence and commitment and to share this with the Jacksonville and regional community. Founding members are violinist Aurica Duca, violinist/violist Clinton Dewing and cellist Nick Curry. The group is in residence at the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida and performs regularly in Jacksonville and around the region. In the summer of 2016, the group joined the San Marco Chamber Music Society (SMCMS) and in the summer of 2018 toured and played concerts in England and Germany. The group also recorded for Albany Records.
Aurica and Clinton are husband and wife and are both full-time members of the Jacksonville Symphony. Nick is the Associate Professor of Cello at UNF, where he teaches. His wife, Cara Tasher, is the Director of Choral Activities at UNF. The trio played together for several years before forming The Lawson Ensemble, but a generous donation to the UNF music department allowed them to form and invite other gifted musicians to play with them for select programs. Nick, Clinton and Aurica believe in the enduring power of chamber music, the necessity for all music students to have a chamber experience, and the need for audiences to feel the immediacy, intimacy and beauty of the best chamber works.
Jasmin Arakawa
Praised by Gramophone for her “characterful sparkle,” pianist Jasmin Arakawa has performed extensively across North and South America, Europe, China, and Japan. A prizewinner of the Jean Françaix International Music Competition, she has appeared at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Salle Gaveau (Paris), and Victoria Hall (Geneva), with broadcasts on ABC Australia, BBC, PBS, and Radio France. She has been featured as a concerto soloist with the Philips Symfonie Orkest (Amsterdam), Orquestra Sinfônica de Piracicaba (Brazil), and numerous orchestras in the U.S. and Japan.
Festival highlights include the Toronto Summer Music Festival, Dame Myra Hess Series, Ribadeo Festival (Spain), and international festivals in Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. Her debut solo album Klavierabend (MSR Classics) was praised by American Record Guide for its “rich lyricism” and “supreme clarity.”
Arakawa has a strong affinity for Spanish repertoire, inspired by lessons with Alicia de Larrocha. Sponsored by the Spanish Embassy, she recorded solo and chamber works by Spanish and Latin American composers. She has also collaborated with leading artists such as Zuill Bailey, Colin Carr, Marina Piccinini, James Campbell, and the Penderecki String Quartet, and served three seasons as Collaborative Pianist in Residence at the Banff Centre.
A champion of contemporary music, Arakawa has premiered many new works and recently released the complete violin and piano works of Witold Lutosławski on PARMA Recordings with violinist Véronique Mathieu.
A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts, she earned MM and DM degrees from Indiana University under Emile Naoumoff. A recipient of the Steinway Top Teacher Award, she has given masterclasses across Asia, Europe, and the Americas and serves on international juries. Jasmin Arakawa is Associate Professor and Piano Area Coordinator at the University of Florida and Director of the UF International Piano Festival.
Kevin Kenner
Pianist Kevin Kenner gained international recognition in 1990, winning top honors at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw—including the People’s Prize and Best Polonaise—alongside the International Terrence Judd Award in London and a bronze medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Earlier accolades include prizes at the Van Cliburn and Gina Bachauer International Competitions.
Born in Southern California, Kenner began studies with Polish pianist Krzysztof Brzuza and later trained in Poland under Ludwik Stefański, preparing for the Chopin Competition at age 17, where he earned a special prize. His musical journey continued at the Peabody Conservatory with Leon Fleisher and in Germany with Karl-Heinz Kämmerling.
Kenner lived in England for nearly two decades, performing regularly at Wigmore Hall and Southbank Centre, recording with the BBC Symphony, and receiving acclaim from the UK press for his expressive and mature artistry. Following a tour with conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, the maestro praised Kenner’s Chopin interpretations as “the most sensitive and beautiful” he had heard.
He has performed with major orchestras including the Hallé, BBC Symphony, Berlin Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, NHK Symphony, and numerous U.S. ensembles. Conductors he has worked with include Sir Charles Groves, Andrew Davis, Frans Brüggen, and Antoni Wit.
A dedicated chamber musician, Kenner has collaborated with violinist Kyung-Wha Chung and quartets such as the Belcea, Tokyo, and Apollon Musagète. His recordings have received multiple “Fryderyk” Awards in Poland for chamber and concerto performances.
Kenner is Associate Professor at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and Founder of the Frost Chopin Academy. He has also served on juries of major competitions including the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Busoni, and Prague Spring, and holds an honorary doctorate from the Academy of Music in Łódź.

Piano Masterclass with Jasmin Arakawa
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Amelia Baptist Church, 961167 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach, Florida, 32034, United States
Hailed by Gramophone for her ‘characterful sparkle’, pianist Jasmin Arakawa will teach a public masterclass on Saturday, February, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The venue on Amelia Island will be announced. Jasmin Arakawa is a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts. She holds Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Emile Naoumoff, the last protégé of Nadia Boulanger. A recipient of the 2016 Steinway Top Teacher Award, Arakawa has given master classes at China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Peru, Instituto Baccarelli in Brazil, and numerous universities in North America and Europe. A sought-after adjudicator, Arakawa has served on the juries of international and national competitions, including the International Chopin Piano Competition for Latin American Pianists (Peru), New Orleans Piano Institute Competition (USA), and Beethoven International Piano Competition ASIA (Japan). Jasmin Arakawa is Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator at the University of Florida, UF Research Foundation Professor (2023-2025), and Director of the UF International Piano Festival.
This event is free and open to the public for observation. No RSVP is required.

David Finckel, cello | Wu Han, piano
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han—Artistic Directors of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center—bring their visionary artistry to Amelia Plantation Chapel, one of the Festival’s most acoustically stunning venues.
Program (subject to change)
This program will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Bach: Adagio BWV 974
Bach: Sonata No.1 in G major for Viola da gamba & keyboard, BWV102
Beethoven: Sonata in A-Major, Op. 69
15-Minute Intermission
Debussy: Clair de lune
Ravel: Habanera
Britten: Sonata in C
David Finckel and Wu Han
Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, honored as Musical America’s Musicians of the Year, stand among today’s most distinguished figures in classical music. Their multi-faceted musical lives encompass world-class performances, acclaimed recordings and visionary artistic direction. From the stages of New York to the premier concert halls across the United States, Europe and Asia, they have captivated audiences globally. Their repertoire spans the classical canon for cello and piano, includes commissioned works from contemporary composers, and covers virtually the entire chamber music literature for their instruments. As artistic directors for prominent arts organizations, they collaboratively curate more than 300 concerts each year.
In 1997, David Finckel and Wu Han founded ArtistLed, the first internet-based, artist-controlled classical recording label. With a catalog of over 20 releases, ArtistLed showcases both the standard cello and piano repertoire, and new works composed for the duo by George Tsontakis, Gabriela Lena Frank, Bruce Adolphe, Lera Auerbach, Edwin Finckel, Augusta Read Thomas, and Pierre Jalbert.
Since 2004, David Finckel and Wu Han have served as Artistic Directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS), the largest presenter and producer of chamber music in the world. As the longest-serving artistic directors in CMS’s history, they have expanded the organization’s reach, drawing more people to chamber music through its performances, education programs, and recording/broadcast activities than any other organization of its kind. In recent seasons, they conceived and produced over 270 digital events, sustaining chamber music communities across the country during the pandemic lockdown.
As founders and Artistic Directors of Silicon Valley’s Music@Menlo since 2002, David Finckel and Wu Han have established the festival as a model of innovative thematic programming and educational excellence, earning international acclaim. Music@Menlo’s exclusive recording label, Music@Menlo LIVE, has released over 130 audiophile-quality CDs to date.
Passionately dedicated to education for musicians of all ages and experience, the duo was instrumental in transforming the CMS Two Program into today’s Bowers Program, which admits exceptional young musicians to the CMS roster for a term of three seasons. They also lead the Chamber Music Institute at Music@Menlo, where each summer, around forty young musicians are immersed in the festival’s multi-faceted fabric of the festival. The duo had the privilege of serving as faculty members of the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Encounters in Israel, New York and Japan. Additionally, the Resource section of their website (davidfinckelandwuhan.com/resource) offers free, comprehensive guidance for students on studying music and building careers, as well as invaluable insights for arts organizations and individuals on all aspects of concert presenting.
Born in Taiwan, Wu Han came to the United States as a graduate student, where her exceptional talent quickly garnered the attention of noted musicians. She was mentored by legendary pianists Lilian Kallir, Menahem Pressler, and Rudolf Serkin, thriving at the Marlboro and Aspen Music Festivals before winning the prestigious Andrew Wolf Award. Wu Han currently serves as Artistic Advisor for Wolf Trap’s Chamber Music at the Barns series and for Palm Beach’s Society of the Four Arts, and in 2022, she was appointed Artistic Director of La Musica in Sarasota, Florida.
David Finckel was raised in New Jersey, where he spent his teenage years winning numerous competitions, among them the Philadelphia Orchestra’s junior and senior divisions, leading to two performances with the orchestra. The first American student of Mstislav Rostropovich, he later became the cellist of the Emerson String Quartet, where his 34-season tenure earned the ensemble nine Grammy Awards and the Avery Fisher Prize. David Finckel is also a professor and chamber music at both The Juilliard School and Stony Brook University.
David Finckel and Wu Han married in 1985 and divide their time between touring and residences in New York City and Westchester County.

Meet the Musician: David Finckel and Wu Han
2026-02-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, 1430 Park Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join us for an intimate conversation with cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, Musical America’s Musicians of the Year and two of the most distinguished figures in classical music today. Celebrated for their electrifying performances, visionary artistic leadership, and groundbreaking recording projects, this married duo has captivated audiences from the world’s premier concert halls to their own trailblazing ArtistLed label. At this free event, enjoy an on‑stage interview, ask your questions, take photos, and enjoy a drink from the cash bar.
Don’t miss the chance to meet these legendary musicians before their performance at Amelia Plantation Chapel on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Cello Masterclass with David Finckel
2026-02-11 13:30 - 15:30 | University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive Building 45, Fine Arts Center, Suite 2004, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
Join us for a rare opportunity to observe a masterclass with world-renowned cellist David Finckel on February 11, 2026, from 1:30–3:30 PM in the Recital Hall at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Center (Building 45). Widely recognized as one of today’s most influential classical musicians, Finckel is also Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the world’s largest presenter of chamber music.
This event is free and open to the public for observation and is presented in collaboration with the University of North Florida. No RSVP is required.
A campus map is available at https://www.unf.edu/parking/files/certified.rf.CampusMap_ROADCLOSURE.pdf.
The address is :
University of North Florida
Fine Arts Center
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville FL 32224
A parking garage is located adjacent to the Fine Arts Center. Parking is available for a daily rate of $5. Payment can be made by scanning the QR codes posted throughout the garage and using the associated mobile parking app.

Imani Winds
2026-01-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
The trailblazing Imani Winds bring their vibrant, genre-spanning repertoire and cultural storytelling to the Ritz stage — a dynamic celebration of wind chamber music like you’ve never heard before.
Please note a $15 parking fee will apply for this concert, and can be paid when parking.
Program – The French Connection
A Haitian Tale Lina by Mathon Blanchet
Serenade for Wind Quintet by Andres Jolivet
La Nouvelle Orleans by Lalo Schifrin
INTERMISSION
Suite: Portraits of Josephine Baker by Valerie Coleman
Cinq Danses by Henri Tomasi
This program will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Imani Winds
Imani Winds is the 2024 GRAMMY® winner in the Classical Compendium category for Jeff Scott’s “Passion for Bach and Coltrane” released on their recently formed record label, Imani Winds Media.
Celebrating over a quarter century of music making, the four time GRAMMY® nominated group has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The ensemble’s playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and newly commissioned works from icons to new voices reflectly the times in which we live.
Recent and upcoming projects include a new double quintet by Arturo Sandoval, featuring Boston Brass; a Jessie Montgomery composition inspired by her great-grandfather’s migration from the American south to the north; and a work by Carlos Simon celebrating iconic figures of the African American community. These commissioned works and more are a part of the long-standing Legacy Commissioning Project. Reflecting on the issues of mass incarceration, Imani Winds 11th studio recording, “BeLonging” by and with Andy Akiho, was released in June 2024 and is nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY® award.
Twenty-seven seasons of full-time touring has brought Imani Winds to virtually every major chamber music series, performing arts center, and summer festival in the U.S. They regularly perform in prominent venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center and have a presence at festivals such as Chamber Music Northwest, Chautauqua Institution and Banff Centre.
Imani Winds thoughtfully curates unique residencies that include performances, workshops, and masterclasses to thousands of students each year at institutions such as the University of Chicago, Eastman School of Music and Duke University.
Their international presence includes concerts throughout Asia, Brazil, Australia, England, New Zealand and Europe.
Appointed in 2021 as Curtis Institute of Music’s first ever Faculty Wind Quintet, Imani Winds commitment to education runs deep. The highly successful Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival launched in 2010, is an annual summer program devoted to musical excellence and career development for pre-professional instrumentalists and composers. The curriculum includes mentorship, masterclasses, entrepreneurial workshops, community engagement activities and performances, with the goal of fostering the complete musician and global citizen.
In 2019, the group extended their mission even further by creating the non-profit organization, Imani Winds Foundation, which exists to support, connect and uplift their initiatives and more.
Imani Winds’ travels through the jazz world are highlighted by their multi-faceted association with luminary musicians and composers Wayne Shorter, Paquito D’Rivera and Jason Moran. Their ambitious project, “Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Jazz Hot!” featured jazz songstress René Marie in performances that brought the house down in New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles and St. Louis.
In 2021, Imani Winds released their 9th studio album, “Bruits” on Bright Shiny Things Records, which received a 2022 GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.” Gramophone states, “the ensemble’s hot rapport churns with conviction throughout.”
Imani Winds has recordings on Koch International Classics and E1 Music, including their 2006 GRAMMY® nominated recording, “The Classical Underground”. They have also recorded for Naxos and Blue Note and released an acclaimed arrangement of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” on Warner Classics. They are regularly heard on all media platforms including NPR, American Public Media, the BBC, SiriusXM, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
To date, one of Imani Winds’ most humbling recognitions is a permanent presence in the classical music section of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC.

Winds Masterclass with Imani Winds
2026-01-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, 300 Water St. Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL, 32205
Don’t miss a chance to observe the revolutionary Imani Winds in a public masterclass on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM in Jacoby Hall, located on the second floor of the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (JCPA). Celebrating over a quarter century of music making, the four time GRAMMY® nominated group has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Appointed in 2021 as Curtis Institute of Music’s first ever Faculty Wind Quintet, Imani Winds commitment to education runs deep.
This event is free and open to the public for observation and is presented in collaboration with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Please RSVP at the link above.
Paid parking is available at the Terra Lot – Downtown Jacksonville and the Water Street Parking Garage – Downtown Jacksonville
MASTERCLASS PROGRAM
JSYO Woodwinds Quartet
Karl Eduard Goepfart, Quartet in D minor for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.
Ian Davis, Flute
Ares Lovequist, Oboe
Jonathan Echert, Clarinet
Marshall Hill, Bassoon
JSYO Woodwinds Quintet
August Klughardt, Quintet Op. 79 for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon.
Paquito D’Rivera, Aires Tropicales

Alborada
Son
Contradanza

Vinay Vivek, Flute
Finley Gomez, Oboe
Jocelyn Smith, Clarinet
Vir Ghose, Horn
Marshall Hill, Bassoon

SOLD-OUT Anne Akiko Meyers, violin | Jason Vieaux, guitar
2026-01-18 17:00 - 19:00 | The Preserve at The Amelia River Club, 4477 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
*This concert is sold out. Please call 904-261-1779 to place your name on our waitlist.*
Two Grammy-winning virtuosi join forces for an intimate evening of violin and guitar, in a breathtaking marsh-front setting at The Amelia River Club.
Program (subject to change)
*This concert will last approximately 1.5-2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
George Frideric Handel: Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 1, No. 13, HWV 371
Mason Bates: Three Arias (world premiere)
Isaac Albéniz: Asturias (Leyenda)
Philip Glass: ‘New Chaconne’
15-minute Intermission
Morten Lauridsen: Sure on this Shining Night
José Luis Merlin: Suite del Recuerdo

Anne Akiko Meyers
Anne Akiko Meyers, GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist, is one of the most celebrated artists of her generation. Known for her passionate artistry and dedication to contemporary music, she has commissioned, premiered, and recorded a remarkable body of new works. The Strad hails her as “the Wonder Woman of commissioning” for her collaborations with leading composers including Arvo Pärt, John Corigliano, Philip Glass, Michael Daugherty, Arturo Márquez, Eric Whitacre, and many others.
With over 40 albums to her name, Meyers’s recordings are staples of classical radio and streaming platforms. In 2024, her recording of Márquez’s Fandango with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic won two Latin GRAMMY® Awards. She continues to perform globally as soloist with top orchestras and in recital. Her 2025–26 season includes the premiere of Whitacre’s The Pacific Has No Memory and four world-premiere recordings with ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, and New Zealand Symphony.
A frequent presence on television and media, Meyers has appeared on The Tonight Show, Tiny Desk, Great Performances, and NPR. She has performed for dignitaries including the Emperor and Empress of Japan and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and at landmark venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.
Born in San Diego, she studied with renowned pedagogues Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld and later at Juilliard with Dorothy DeLay. She made her first major recording at age 18 and has received the Avery Fisher Career Grant and an honorary doctorate from The Colburn School. She serves on the boards of The Juilliard School and The Dudamel Foundation.
Anne performs on the 1741 “Ex-Vieuxtemps” Guarneri del Gesù, considered one of the finest violins in the world, and uses Larsen Strings.
Jason Vieaux
GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, hailed as “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone) and “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” (NPR), has earned a reputation for his virtuosic yet lyrical artistry. From Lincoln Center and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw to Seoul Arts Center, he has captivated audiences worldwide with performances praised as “virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing, and sometimes ineffably lyrical” (The New York Times).
Vieaux has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras including Cleveland, Toronto, St. Louis, Houston, and Columbus, working with conductors such as Giancarlo Guerrero, Gerard Schwarz, and David Robertson. His passion for new music has led to premieres and recordings of concertos by Jeff Beal, Avner Dorman, Vivian Fung, Jonathan Leshnoff, and Pat Metheny, among many others. In 2021, he recorded Metheny’s Four Paths of Light, written specifically for him, and in 2014, won the GRAMMY® for Best Instrumental Classical Solo for Play.
His acclaimed discography includes Bach Volume 2: Works for Violin (2022), Shining Night with violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, and Concierto del Luna (Sony Classical). He also collaborates regularly with artists such as the Escher String Quartet, Sasha Cooke, Yolanda Kondonassis, Julien Labro, and Timothy McAllister.
Vieaux is a frequent guest on premier chamber music series including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, 92nd Street Y, and San Francisco Performances. Festival appearances include Ravinia, Caramoor, and Music@Menlo.
A dedicated educator, Vieaux co-founded the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2011 and has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 25 years. He also leads an online guitar school for ArtistWorks with hundreds of global students. He performs on a 2013 Gernot Wagner guitar.

SOLD-OUT Meet the Musician: Anne Akiko Meyers and Jason Vieaux
2026-01-17 17:00 - 18:30 | Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, 1430 Park Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
*This event is currently sold out. However, because it is a free event, some registrants may not attend, and walk-ins are welcome. To guarantee your spot, please call our office at 904-261-1779, and we will be happy to reserve a seat for you.
Two extraordinary talents come together for an evening of conversation and connection. Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, a Grammy Award winner and “Wonder Woman of commissioning” (The Strad), is a returning Festival favorite celebrated for her stunning performances and collaborations with today’s foremost composers. She is joined by Grammy‑winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, praised by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” and admired for his vibrant, expressive artistry.
Enjoy this free event with on‑stage interviews, audience Q&A, a cash bar, and photo opportunities—then make your plans now to hear them perform the following day, January 18, 2026, at the Amelia River Club.

SOLD-OUT Sounds of the Season featuring Time For Three
2025-12-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
THIS CONCERT IS SOLD-OUT
Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars as the Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble Time For Three (TF3) brings their electrifying sound to the elegant Courtyard of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This special holiday concert promises to be a celebration of music, magic, and memories.
TF3 — featuring Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals) — defies convention with a genre-blending performance that fuses classical mastery with pop, rock, and folk influences. Their dynamic energy and heartfelt harmonies create a sound that resonates with audiences around the globe.
Ticket price includes a welcome glass of Poinsettia Champagne and valet parking.
Attire: Resort sophisticated, jackets required for gentlemen.
Meet the Musician: Time For Three
Salt, the Ritz-Carlton’s AAA-Five Diamond restaurant, will offer a special fixed priced dinner the evening before the concert, December 16, 2025, to commemorate the official opening of the Festival’s 25th Anniversary Season. The evening will include a cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and wine/champagne toast, and a three-course dinner, and opportunities to meet and greet with the members of Time For Three. Click HERE to purchase your dinner reservation now.
Sounds of the Season Concert & Hotel Package
Experience the magic of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival’s 25th Anniversary opening concert from the comfort of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Enjoy a luxurious Courtyard Room with balcony concert views, concert tickets for two, valet parking, and a house champagne welcome amenity. An unforgettable holiday escape combining world-class music with Ritz-Carlton elegance. Click HERE to purchase this package directly from The Ritz-Carlton.

About Time For Three
Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble, Time For Three (TF3), defies convention and boundaries by showcasing excellence across different genres, including classical music, Americana, and singer-songwriter. Their unique sound captivates audiences, immersing them in a musical experience that merges various eras, styles, and traditions of Western music. TF3, consisting of Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), combines their instruments and voices in a remarkable sound, establishing a distinct voice of expression that resonates with listeners worldwide.
TF3’s longstanding history of collaboration with contemporary classical composers continues to thrive. They have worked closely with esteemed artists such as Chris Brubeck and Pulitzer Prize winners William Bolcom and Jennifer Higdon. Their most recent commission, Contact, composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts, premiered with the San Francisco Symphony and The Philadelphia Orchestra in the summer of 2022. This extraordinary piece, alongside Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto 4-3, was released on Deutsche Grammophon under the album title Letters for the Future. Conducted by Xian Zhang, the album’s exceptional quality propelled it onto the Billboard top 10 Classical Recordings charts. Additionally, it garnered a nomination for an Opus Klassik award and received a Grammy win in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category.
Renowned for their charismatic and energetic performances, TF3 has garnered praise from respected outlets including NPR, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Sun-Times. They have graced illustrious stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Royal Albert Hall, effortlessly adapting their inimitable and versatile style to intimate venues like Joe’s Pub in New York or Yoshi’s in San Francisco. TF3 was featured on the acclaimed “Night of the Proms” tour, sharing stages with renowned artists like Chaka Khan and Ronan Keating across several European countries. Their collaborations span a diverse range of artists, including Ben Folds, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Aoife O’Donovan, Natasha Bedingfield, and Arlo Guthrie.
TF3’s exceptional talents have not only earned them a Grammy win but also secured them an Emmy for their concert special, “Time For Three In Concert,” produced by PBS. Their appetite for new experiences led them to collaborate with cellist and composer Ben Sollee, creating the soundtrack for Focus Features’ film Land, directed by Robin Wright. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021. TF3 has teamed up with Grammy-winning songwriter Liz Rose and Grammy-winning producer Femke Weidema for new recordings released through Warner Music. They have also contributed to Summer Walker’s R&B hit, Constant Bullsxxt, showcasing their versatility across genres.
Time For Three’s artistic achievements, fueled by their relentless pursuit of musical excellence, have solidified their status as a remarkable ensemble. Their Grammy win and extraordinary collaborations speak to their unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences with their exceptional talent.

Meet the Musician: Time For Three @ Salt
2025-12-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is delighted to open its milestone 25th Anniversary Season with an unforgettable two-day celebration in partnership with The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This collaboration, Sounds of the Season, begins with an extraordinary Commemorative Dinner on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Ritz’s award-winning fine dining restaurant, Salt.
This exclusive evening offers guests the rare opportunity to meet the Grammy and Emmy-winning ensemble Time for Three—Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), Charles Yang (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals)—in an intimate, relaxed setting before their highly anticipated December 17 performance that officially opens our 25th Anniversary Season.
The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a with a wine and champagne toast, paired with elegant passed hors d’oeuvres, included in the ticket price. Guests will then savor a three-course prix-fixe menu at 7:00 p.m., featuring Lobster Salad, Steak, and Dessert artfully prepared with Salt’s signature touch: simple, seasonal ingredients elevated with more than 40 unique varieties of salt sourced from around the world. With its AAA Five Diamond award-winning service, Salt offers a rare blend of relaxed coastal elegance and refined culinary artistry.
This remarkable evening is priced at $150 per person (plus tax and gratuity, service fee, wine and drinks at dinner are not included in the fixed price). Seating is limited, ensuring an intimate atmosphere for conversation, exceptional cuisine, and the shared anticipation of a spectacular concert the following night.
Celebrate the season. Savor the moment. Join us for a night where fine dining and extraordinary music meet.
Please note: The dress code in Salt is resort sophisticated, requiring ALL gentlemen to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and no hats in the Dining Room. Dinner jackets are required.
Sounds of the Season Concert & Hotel PackageExperience the magic of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival’s 25th Anniversary opening concert from the comfort of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Enjoy a luxurious Courtyard Room with balcony concert views, concert tickets for two, valet parking, and a house champagne welcome amenity. An unforgettable holiday escape combining world-class music with Ritz-Carlton elegance. Click HERE to purchase this package directly from The Ritz-Carlton.

25th Anniversary Silver Soirée
2025-10-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, 1430 Park Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join us for a sparkling evening to launch our 25th season, featuring live music, a short documentary film premiere highlighting the history of the Festival, and an exclusive look at what’s ahead this season. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
