In partnership with La Jolla Music Society’s ConRAD Kids Series

For this exciting North American première, Art of Elan affiliate artists bring to life selected works from Collective Wisdom, an album that explores how music can help people during hard times. Originally recorded by the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s ACO Collective and developed in partnership with the Hush Foundation, the album includes works by Australian composers who completed residencies and workshops in adolescent health units. The resulting music is uplifting and inspiring, draws from many voices and life experiences, and is presented with multimedia elements, improvised dance and poetry.

For this exciting North American première, Art of Elan affiliate artists bring to life selected works from Collective Wisdom, an album that explores how music can help people during hard times. Originally recorded by the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s ACO Collective and developed in partnership with the Hush Foundation, the album includes works by Australian composers who completed residencies and workshops in adolescent health units. The resulting music is uplifting and inspiring, draws from many voices and life experiences, and is presented with multimedia elements, improvised dance and poetry.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

Art of Elan returns to ICA North with a musical program that takes inspiration from the great outdoors, highlighting the ICA Sculpture Trail and its newest addition by Mexican artist Pedro Reyes: a sculpture titled "Hannah Arendt." This colorful concert explores finding beauty in unexpected places and includes a variety of music for strings, harp, percussion and trombone by Sarah Kirkland Snider, Daiki Kato, Gabriel Jenks and Caroline Shaw. The performance takes place in the upper gallery of ICA San Diego / North. Listen to the live concert recording here.

Tied to the powerful “Boundless Reflections in Southern California Landscapes” exhibit at Mingei, Art of Elan’s musical program invites deep listening and explores how music (and the arts in general) can capture the spirit of a place. Featuring music by Kian Ravaei and Dirk Michael Kirsch, among others, this program takes listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through time and space. Listen to the live concert recording here.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

Jason Mraz Foundation proudly presents DREAM, a community concert event featuring five San Diego nonprofit arts organizations alongside very special musical guests, on February 14 and 15, 2026 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Arms Wide Open, Art of Elan, Culture Shock San Diego, San Diego Young Artists Music Academy, and PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company will join Jason Mraz, MILCK, Raul Midón, Albert Posis, and friends on stage to shine a light on tomorrow’s artists and the importance of inclusive arts programming.

Jason Mraz Foundation proudly presents DREAM, a community concert event featuring five San Diego nonprofit arts organizations alongside very special musical guests, on February 14 and 15, 2026 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Arms Wide Open, Art of Elan, Culture Shock San Diego, San Diego Young Artists Music Academy, and PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company will join Jason Mraz, MILCK, Raul Midón, Albert Posis, and friends on stage to shine a light on tomorrow’s artists and the importance of inclusive arts programming.

Art of Elan continues its partnership with UC San Diego’s ArtPower with a deeply personal, intimate program centered on the human voice entitled “Mayrig” (“mother” in Armenian). The show was created by internationally renowned musicians Karen Ouzounian and Lembit Beecher for cello with electronics, piano and vocals. The voices of Karen’s mother and grandmother are interwoven with original arrangements of Armenian music of her family’s past home of Anatolia, songs and stories drawn from their post-genocide home of Lebanon, and the beloved music of Charles Aznavour. Opening and closing the program is Marin Marais’ Les Voix Humaines, music from hundreds of years ago providing a window into the present. Listen to the live concert recording, here.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

Art of Elan’s popular Sounds & Swells series returns with newly commissioned surfing footage by Jimmy Wilson and other filmmakers, celebrating the natural beauty of the California coastline and its epic “swells” that draw surfers and visitors from around the world. This unique program pairs stunning videography with live classical music performed by the Hausmann Quartet, creating an immersive experience that captures the rhythm and energy of the ocean. Listen to the live concert recording, here.

Art of Elan musicians premiere Young Artists in Harmony (YAH) student works in this free community concert that additionally offers a complimentary reception and a chance to meet the composers and musicians who bring these new works to life. 

About YAH: Now in its 11th Season, Art of Elan offers each spring and fall its acclaimed “Young Artists in Harmony” (YAH) program in partnership with the nationally recognized  A Reason To Survive (ARTS), a Creative Youth Development organization that believes in the power of the arts and creativity to literally transform lives. YAH consists of weekly Saturday workshops where high school and community college students have the opportunity to explore musical composition with professional musicians, to create and be part of a professionally recorded public performance, to meet and collaborate with other like-minded music students, and to build a musical composition portfolio. Participants in YAH receive weekly mentoring and coaching from professional Art of Elan musicians who workshop and provide feedback on student works. This unique program culminates each semester with a collaborative concert that showcases original compositions the students create over the 6-10 week period, performed by Art of Elan musicians. Each concert is professionally recorded and is available for free streaming and download on Instant Encore, as well as Art of Elan’s YouTube channel.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

Taking inspiration from Mingei’s “Inside the Design Center” exhibit, which highlights mid-century design and craft, this musical program showcases works by Ernest Bloch and Jessie Montgomery (two compelling musical voices born 100 years apart), as well as music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Jessie Montgomery’s innovative approach to composition, blending classical, folk, jazz, and contemporary influences, recently earned her the honor of being Performance Today's 2025 Classical Woman of the Year. The award recognizes her significant contributions to classical music and her influence on the next generation of musicians. Listen to the live concert recording here.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

As one of La Jolla Music Society’s inaugural resident companies, Art of Elan will present three concerts throughout the season at the The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. This opening concert in the intimate cabaret space known as The JAI will feature three gorgeous works from the late 19th/early 20th century:  “A Night Piece” for flute and string quartet by Arthur Foote, the Ginastera Duo for Flute and Oboe, featuring San Diego Symphony principal players Rose Lombardo and Sarah Skuster, and the beloved Debussy String Quartet. Listen to the live concert recording here.

Presidio Winds, the resident woodwind quintet of the San Diego Winds, features Pamela Martchev - flute, Sarah Skuster - Oboe, Terri Tunnicliff - Clarinet, Ryan Simmons - Bassoon, and John Degnan - Horn. Presidio Winds has been featured in performances at San Diego Summer Music Institute (SDSMI), PLNU’s Cultural Events Music Series, Thursdays@Cuyamaca Series, and Around Town with Marketa at the Pt Loma Assembly Hall.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

This Midday Music event features affiliated Art of Elan artists, including Hanah Stuart, violin; Alex Greenbaum, cello; Andrew Hayhurst, cello; Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, double bass; and Max Opferkuch, clarinet.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library, taking place on select Fridays throughout the year in the Shiley Special Events Suite on the top floor of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, where concertgoers are invited to bring their lunch and enjoy carefully curated chamber music along with gorgeous views of the city. This series and partnership is dedicated to the memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime arts advocate in San Diego and supporter of public libraries.

Claudia Lyra is a Brazilian Rhythmist and Portuguese Language Teacher at her own school, BRAPA, and has been working with performing arts in San Diego since 2007. She teaches and performs Brazilian music focused on rhythms and movement to help students and audiences of all ages develop critical thinking skills, plant seeds of self-worth, cultivate an appreciation of equality, and promote important social skills to interact successfully with others.

The Orff Music teaching philosophy is a strong part of her music teaching education. With that background, she has developed arts integration programs with various schools and universities, educated kids with non-profit organizations, and developed cultural assembly programs including the group Nós de Chita (2007–2022), Maracatu Jangada (2007–2016), and her newest project for kids and families called DO RE TREE (2022 to present).

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Central Library.

Art of Elan is thrilled to partner with San Diego’s premier contemporary ballet company, The Rosin Box Project, for two special performances of “Unified Harmonies,” a multidisciplinary production that features new choreography alongside the stunning string quartet works of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. As part of the lead up to America 250, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “Unified Harmonies” explores the crucial role of artists as changemakers and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in moving the nation forward. Listen to the live concert recording, here.

Art of Elan is thrilled to partner with San Diego’s premier contemporary ballet company, The Rosin Box Project, for two special performances of “Unified Harmonies,” a multidisciplinary production that features new choreography alongside the stunning string quartet works of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. As part of the lead up to America 250, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “Unified Harmonies” explores the crucial role of artists as changemakers and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in moving the nation forward.

Art of Elan musicians premiere Young Artists in Harmony (YAH) student works in this free community concert that additionally offers a complimentary reception and a chance to meet the composers and musicians who bring these new works to life. 

Art of Elan partners with California Surf Museum this season for our “Sounds & Swells” series. This program features newly commissioned surfing footage created by McCracken Films, Joey Taylor, and Jimmy Wilson that showcases the natural beauty of the California coastline and its epic “swells” that attract visitors from all around the world. Videography and live classical music are synced in this engaging series that features the Hausmann Quartet playing works by California composers John Adams, Terry Riley and others.

Art of Elan’s popular Sounds & Swells series returns with an unforgettable cinematic and musical experience at the Fleet Science Center’s Giant Dome Theater. Newly commissioned surfing footage by McCracken Films, Joey Taylor, and Jimmy Wilson captures the breathtaking beauty of the California coastline and its iconic “swells” that draw surfers and visitors from around the globe. Set against this stunning backdrop, live classical music performed by the Hausmann Quartet, featuring works by California composers John Adams, Terry Riley, and others.

Anna May is an alternative Americana artist known for her poetic, emotionally rich songs that explore themes of connection, estrangement, and personal reckoning. Influenced by artists like Billie Holiday and Neil Young—and often compared to Jeff Buckley and Aimee Mann—her music blends raw lyricism with a soulful, introspective sound. She’s opened for acts like Kacy Hill and Amythyst Kiah, performed at festivals like Treefort and Wildflower, and has been featured by PBS, NPR, KUTX, Medium, and V13 Media. Her latest release, Elegy, continues to earn national attention.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Central Library.

In partnership with Mingei International Museum, Art of Elan presents a colorful musical program that takes inspiration from the “Rosas y Revelaciones” exhibit featuring incredible handmade work by Mexican textile artists. With music composed by Gabriela Ortiz, as well as “In Memoriam” by Arnold Bax for English Horn, Harp and String Quartet, this highly imaginative program encourages reflection and a greater appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. Listen to the live concert recording here.

The world fusion duo Sädesärla performs original compositions and arrangements of folk music from Sweden, Thailand, and beyond. Batya MacAdam-Somer performs on violin, viola and voice, and Christopher Adler performs on the khaen, the bamboo free-reed mouth organ from Laos and Northeast Thailand. Sädesärla also features guest musicians including Supeena Insee Adler, performing on traditional Thai instruments.

“Midday Music” is a free, lunchtime concert series held in collaboration with the San Diego Central Library.