Festival Mozaic, San Luis Obispo County’s premier classical music festival, proudly announces the lineup for its highly anticipated San Luis Obispo Music Festival Summer 2025, July 17-26. Under the artistic direction of renowned violinist and conductor Scott Yoo, this year’s festival will showcase over 25 concerts and events in an extraordinary array of chamber music, orchestral concerts, Baroque performances, and world-class guest artists across stunning venues throughout the Central Coast. In addition, the festival will present two non-classical concerts featuring indigenous folk music and contemporary Cuban Mambo sounds.
A Spectacular Lineup of Concerts and Events
The 2025 Festival opens on Thursday, July 17, with Notable Insight: Dohnányi String Sextet at Congregation Beth David, where Yoo and the Festival Artists will guide audiences through a behind the scenes exploration of this unique work.
On Friday, July 18, the festival’s Opening Night Chamber Concert at Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Cultural & Performing Arts Center will feature an exciting and varied program, including Haydn’s Divertimento in G major, Florence Price’s Piano Quintet in A minor, Schulhoff’s Five Pieces for String Quartet and Dohnányi’s Sextet in B-flat.
The festival continues with beloved annual events such as Baroque in the Vines at Serra Chapel on July 19, featuring works by Telemann, Respighi, Boccherini and Vivaldi and Mozart in the Mission on July 23, set in the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, where works by Mozart, Brahms, Gabrieli and Adams will be performed.
New to this year’s festival, Festival Mozaic is thrilled to welcome Twin Flames on July 20 at See Canyon Fruit Ranch. This award-winning Indigenous music duo seamlessly blends folk, rock, and their ancestral languages into an unforgettable performance. Another exciting addition is the vibrant Orquesta Akokán, performing at the Fremont Theater on July 24. This Havana-based ensemble brings an exhilarating 21st-century twist to the Cuban mambo tradition.
Families and young audiences will delight in the Family Concert: Babar the Elephant on July 23 at Cuesta College. This collaboration with the Movement Arts Center features dancers and live piano accompaniment to Francis Poulenc’s beloved score.
For chamber music lovers, Festival Mozaic presents a series of exquisite concerts, including our North County Chamber Concert (July 21) with Russian masterpieces by Glinka, Glière and Shostakovich and Chamber Finale (July 25) featuring works by Thuille, Bridge, Dorothy Rudd Moore and Mendelssohn.
The Festival’s grand finale on July 26, Orchestra Concert: Romeo and Juliet, at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, will feature the Festival Mozaic Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Nielsen’s Flute Concerto with soloist Alice K. Dade, and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite under the baton of Scott Yoo.
Free Midday Concerts
In addition to the main events, Festival Mozaic is delighted to offer eight free midday concerts scheduled throughout the festival in cities across the county. These performances allow audiences to experience extraordinary music in accessible community settings.
Festival Mozaic Young Artist Program
Festival Mozaic is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Young Artist Program, a groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the esteemed Colorado College Music Festival. This program will bring four exceptionally talented young musicians — two violinists, a violist, and a cellist — to San Luis Obispo as the inaugural Mozaic Fellows during the Summer 2025 Music Festival.
The Mozaic Fellows will perform on the Festival’s main stage concerts alongside distinguished guest artists, showcasing their extraordinary skill and artistry. Throughout their residency, the Fellows will also receive instruction and mentorship from Mozaic artists, further enhancing their artistic growth and professional development.
Additionally, the Fellows will play an integral role in expanding Festival Mozaic’s mission of connecting music with the community by performing at various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County, including schools, senior centers and community hubs.
Experience Festival Mozaic
Festival Mozaic invites music lovers from near and far to experience these exceptional performances in the breathtaking settings of San Luis Obispo County. Singles Tickets will go on sale April 23, 2025. Multiple Ticket packages are available as of February 25, 2025. For more information on the full schedule, venues, and ticketing, visit www.festivalmozaic.org or call 805.781.3009.