Center for Musical Arts

08/06/2026

Go beyond the music with two special opportunities to connect with the artists and the evening’s program.

Before the concert on August 6 at 6:30 PM: Join Deborah Schmit-Lobis, Center for Musical Arts faculty member, pianist, and composer, for a free 30-minute concert guide presentation. Deborah will share insights about the featured music and guest artists—and answer your questions before the performance begins.

After the concert on August 7: Stay for a special, interactive Q&A with Music Director Peter Oundjian and pianist Michelle Cann inside Chautauqua Auditorium. Hear the stories behind the music, learn more about the performance, and connect with the artists.

Both events are free for concert ticketholders. Make your Colorado Music Festival experience even more memorable—join us before and after the music!

08/03/2026

With the appointment of our next Executive Director Aren Der Hacopian and the retirement of founding Education Director Kathy Kuscan after nearly three decades of extraordinary leadership, Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts is pleased to announce the launch of a search for its inaugural Director of Education & Community Engagement.

This newly reimagined leadership role invites a collaborative and visionary leader to build upon Kathy’s enduring legacy and CMA’s philosophy of “Music for All...for Life!,” while partnering with Aren and Music Director Peter Oundjian to strengthen the connection between education, performance, and community engagement and advance a broader vision for music education across Boulder County and beyond.

View and download the full Position Profile and application details here: https://bit.ly/DOECEpositionprofile

07/31/2026

Last night's Talk Under the Tent brought music and science together for a fascinating conversation ahead of the Colorado Music Festival concert. Thank you to Center for Musical Arts Education Director Kathy Kucsan for sharing the stories, history, and inspiration behind the evening's program, and to special guest Jamie Mothersbaugh, Astrophysicist with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at CU Boulder, for offering a unique perspective on the celestial themes that made Holst's "The Planets" even more meaningful.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this engaging evening of discovery and conversation!

📸 by Geremy Kornreich, Colorado Music Festival

07/30/2026

Go beyond the music!

Join Center for Musical Arts Education Director Kathy Kucsan tonight at 6:30 pm for a FREE Talk Under the Tent before the concert. Explore the stories and inspiration behind the evening's program, then enjoy a special conversation with astrophysicist Jamie Mothersbaugh inspired by Holst's The Planets.

North of the Chautauqua Auditorium
6:30 pm
Free and open to all!

07/25/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Doris Pridonoff Lehnert, Professor Emerita of Piano at the University of Colorado Boulder and an extraordinary musician, teacher, and mentor.

Her legacy lives on through the generations of students she inspired and through the beautiful 1854 Chickering grand piano, generously gifted by her family, that now fills Founders Hall at the Center for Musical Arts with music.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, students, and all who were fortunate to know her.

Boulder’s renowned classical pianist, teacher Doris Pridonoff Lehnert dies at 89 https://mrf.lu/2tgnS

07/21/2026

New Skills, New Sounds, New Confidence 🎹

Our Beginning Piano Mini Camp wrapped up with smiles, new skills, and a special performance for families. Students learned simple melodies, practiced rhythm, built coordination, and gained confidence at the keyboard—then celebrated their progress with a mini concert and a special harpsichord demonstration.

07/16/2026

Tonight 6:30 PM!

⏰ Reminder! Join us for our free Talk Under the Tent at 6:30 p.m!

Pre-Concert Talk & Q&A

Deborah Schmit-Lobis, Center for Musical Arts faculty member, will give you a preview of tonight’s Colorado Music Festival program.

07/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming Aren Der Hacopian as the new Executive Director of the Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts!

Following a nationwide search, Aren brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the performing arts, most recently at Seattle Opera. Beginning September 1, he'll lead the next chapter of our internationally acclaimed Festival and Community Music School.

Aren will be visiting Boulder during the Festival, and we look forward to introducing him to our community. Welcome, Aren!

Read the full press release on our website: https://coloradomusicfestival.org/colorado-music-festival-center-for-musical-arts-welcomes-new-executive-director-aren-der-hacopian/

07/13/2026

A wonderful day of music, family, and community!
Boulder Suzuki Strings

07/12/2026

Tomorrow!
Boulder Suzuki Strings