The Next Festival of Emerging Artists

The Next Festival of Emerging Artists 2021 Virtual Festival, June 8-July 1

We’re excited to present a virtual festival to be held from June 8-July 1, 2021, with great guest artists, masterclasses, workshops and virtual collaborations, including our Composer/Choreographer Workshop with S. Ama Wray and Derek Bermel.

Guest artists include cellist Seth Parker Woods, composer Gabriela Lena Frank, violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins (Music Kitchen), composer/violist Jessica Meyer, violist Ashleigh Gordon (Castle of Our Skins), Aizuri Quartet, double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku, percussionist Ross Karre (International Contemporary Ensemble), violinist David Radzynski (Israel Philharmonic Concertmaster), hornist Jeff Scott (Imani Winds), electroacoustic violist/composer Trevor New, pianist Donna Weng Friedman (HER/MUSIC;HER/STORY), composer Derek Bermel, choreographer S. Ama Wray, Jonathan Alsberry (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago), double bassist/composer Peter Askim (Next Festival’s Artistic Director), arts attorney Brian Goldstein, and more!

The festival schedule will be organized by themed sections, including Entrepreneurship & Business Week, Social Justice & Activism Week, Artistry & Musicality Week, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration Week. Events will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with opportunities for performance, collaborations and interaction with our guest artists. In addition, we’re keeping our eyes and ears out for any opportunity to make music together in person, as health guidance evolves. Stay tuned!

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings: guest artists, workshops, masterclasses, and virtual collaboration opportunities.
Wednesdays: Composer/Choreographer Workshop, with faculty Derek Bermel and S. Ama Wray. Submit a 2021 choreographer/dancer application here.

We invite instrumentalists, ages 20-30, on any instrument, to apply. As in 2020, we will not be charging tuition, but relying on the generosity of donors to underwrite the festival expenses. Now accepting applications for a limited number of spots – apply here.