Our story, your festival…
“A non-traditional approach to presenting classical works with entertaining insights and storytelling”
- Finger Lakes Times
Our story
Founded in 2004, ChamberFest Canandaigua (formerly Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival) quickly became an essential part of cultural life in the Greater Rochester area and has established a regional reputation for its concerts’ innovative programming, inviting atmosphere, and musical excellence. Led by artistic directors Amy Sue Barston and Kevin Kumar, the Festival has showcased such world-class artists as pianist Jon Nakamatsu, clarinetist Charles Neidich, as well as the world-class Borromeo, Corigliano, Orion, and Ying Quartets.
Since its inception, ChamberFest Canandaigua has been dedicated to introducing new audiences to classical music through live concert performances and educational projects. Our pioneering Classical Blue Jeans concerts, which pair an interactive musical show with dinner, is always sold out.
ChamberFest Canandaigua's comprehensive educational and outreach programs have included partnerships with numerous community organizations, including Canandaigua’s Wood Library, YMCA, Wegmans, Casa Larga Vineyards & Winery, Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, The Lake House on Canandaigua, Ferris Hills at West Lake, Cobblestone Arts Center, and Finger Lakes Community College. We look forward to continuing that tradition in the years ahead.
Festival Staff
Artistic Directors: Amy Sue Barston, Kevin Kumar
Executive Director: Aimee Ward
Board of Directors
President: Jodi Kaufman
Vice President: Andrea Jones
Treasurer: Karin Venderbosch
Secretary: David Stern, MD
Members:
Mary Maida, PhD
Janet Tenreiro
O.J. Sahler, MD
Dawn Yehl
Advisory Board
Ellen Polimeni
Edward Grissing
Ed Klorman
Press Features
Our concerts are buzz-worthy! Don’t just take our word for it… here’s what the press have to say:
Beautiful music is coming to Canandaigua...”
– Life in the Lakes
Concert Videos
Enjoy this selection of past ChamberFest Canandaigua concerts, made available with your generous support of the festival. Want to see more content like this? Donate to make it possible in the future!