Festival Mozaic today announced its 2026 Summer San Luis Obispo Music & Arts Festival, a multi-week celebration of chamber music, orchestral masterworks, contemporary composition, dance, wine experiences, and community engagement. Running July 15 through August 1, the Festival will present performances across San Luis Obispo County, featuring internationally acclaimed artists alongside emerging young professionals.
The 2026 season carries special significance as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In recognition of this historic milestone, Festival Mozaic will spotlight American voices, particularly composers with meaningful ties to California, through a collaboration with the Coastal Awakening project. This partnership highlights the cultural vitality of California’s artistic community and honors the state’s contributions to the American musical landscape.
Music Director Scott Yoo will lead the season with a thematic focus on artistic independence and innovation.
“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are reminded that America’s identity has always been shaped by bold ideas and creative risk,” said Yoo. “California has always been a laboratory for artistic experimentation. Composers like John Adams, Steve Reich, Henry Cowell, and Ernest Bloch helped redefine what American music could be. Through our collaboration with the Coastal Awakening project, we are celebrating not only our nation’s founding ideals, but the distinctly Californian spirit of imagination and reinvention that continues to shape classical music today.”
In 2026, Festival Mozaic further expands its community reach through partnerships with the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, and San Luis Obispo County Library System, Allan Hancock College, and Cal Poly Arts, reinforcing its
commitment to strengthening the region’s broader cultural ecosystem.
Opening with Dance: Festival Mozaic/Cal Poly Arts Presents BODYTRAFFIC
The Summer 2026 experience opens July 16 with Festival Mozaic and Cal Poly Arts Presents: BODYTRAFFIC at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural & Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo. The Los Angeles–based contemporary dance company, led by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, is internationally recognized for its bold repertory and dynamic physicality.
Presented in collaboration with Cal Poly Arts – www.calpolyarts.org
Celebrating American & California Voices – Concert Schedule
Throughout the chamber music and orchestral programs, the 250th anniversary theme will be reflected through works by influential American composers, many with deep connections to California.
Chamber Concert 1 – July 22, 7:30 PM – Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College
- Franz Josef Haydn – String Quartet, op. 64, no. 5 “Lark”
- Bohuslav Martinů – String Sextet, H. 224
- Ernest Bloch – Piano Quintet No. 1, B. 43
Chamber Concert 2 – July 24, 7:30 PM – Patty Boyd Concert Hall, Santa Maria
- John Adams – Shaker Loops
- Johannes Brahms – String Quintet No. 1 in F major, op. 88
- Ernő Dohnányi – Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor, op. 1
Presented in collaboration with Allan Hancock College Foundation.
Baroque in the Vines – July 25, 7:30 PM – Serra Chapel, Shandon
Scott Yoo leads Festival Mozaic Baroque Ensemble in a hilltop Baroque concert:
- George Frideric Händel – Concerto Grosso in F major, op. 6, no. 2
- Henry Cowell – Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Cello, and Harpsichord
- Noam Elkies – Brandenburg Concerto No. 7
- Antonio Vivaldi – Bassoon Concerto in D minor, RV 481
- J.S. Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Chamber Concert 3 – July 27, 7:30 PM – Chamber Music & Wine – Cass Winery, Paso Robles
A curated wine and musical experience with sommelier Cassandra Tarantino, Level III ISG:
- Rebecca Clarke – Midsummer Moon
- Alexander Glazunov – Rêverie orientale
- Shulamit Ran – Lyre of Orpheus
- Sergei Prokofiev – Quintet in G minor, op. 39
- Joaquín Turina – Piano Quartet
Chamber Concert 4 – July 29, 7:30 PM – Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo
Annual concert featuring three octets and Mozart’s wind serenade:
- Andrew Norman – Gran turismo (eight violins simulating race cars)
- Stravinsky – Octet for Winds
- John Novacek – Music for 8 (California Premiere)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Wind Serenade No. 10, K. 361 “Gran Partita”
Chamber Concert 5 – July 31, 7:30 PM – Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College
Closing Chamber Concert celebrating American & California voices:
- Steve Reich – Double Sextet
- Erich Korngold – String Sextet in D major, op. 10
- Antonin Dvorak – String Quartet No. 3, op. 97, B. 180 “American”
Orchestra Finale
The festival concludes August 1 with a full orchestra performance led by Scott Yoo, featuring:
- Earl Kim – Cornet (narrated by Jane Kaczmarek)
- Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 (with Sergei Babayan)
- Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 2
Special Presentations
- July 15 – Comedian Isabel Hagen brings an evening of sharp wit and musical humor, with flutist Alice
Dade opening in a dynamic crossover performance. - July 26 – Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso Taimane performs at See Canyon Fruit Ranch, blending classical technique, contemporary flair, and her island heritage.
- July 28 – Boatzart returns to Baywood Park Pier, Los Osos. Festival Mozaic Brass Quintet presents a
free concert in partnership with the Baywood Navy. - July 29 – Family-friendly performance of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals with the Festival
Mozaic Orchestra, pianists Susan Grace and John Novacek, and dancers from the Movement Arts
Center. Children can explore instruments at the SLO Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo (10:30 AM)
before the concert at the Harold J. Miossi CPAC. - July 30 – Grammy Award–winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre conducts The Sacred Veil at the Performing Arts Center, a profound work exploring love, loss, and the human experience.
Notable Encounters & Soirée
Festival Mozaic offers interactive Notable Insight sessions giving audiences behind-the-scenes access to Bloch’s Piano Quintet (July 21), Novacek’s Music for 8 (July 28), and Dvořák’s “American” String Quintet (July 30).
July 23 – Notable Soiree: John Adams includes discussion and demonstration of Shaker Loops, followed by afternoon tea, Central Coast wines, and a chance to mingle with the musicians.
Community Midday Concerts
Free, casual, one-hour performances at 12:00 PM across San Luis Obispo County, July 22 – August 1. Performances feature Festival Artists and are free to the public (donations welcome).
Highlighted performances:
- July 22 – Aurelia Duca & Noam Elkies, United Methodist Church, San Luis Obispo
- July 24 – Alex Hersh & John Novacek, St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church, Arroyo Grande
- July 25 – Jenni Seo & Susan Grace, Community Church of Atascadero
- July 27 – Susan Cahill & John Novacek, Templeton Performing Arts Center
- July 28 – Annabelle Taubl & Marcia McHugh, Morro Bay High School, Morro Bay
- July 29 – James & Ann Newton Vaughen, First Presbyterian Church, San Luis Obispo
- July 31 – Adam Neiman, Cambria Community Presbyterian Church
- August 1 – Alex Wasserman, Trinity United Methodist Church, Los Osos generously underwritten by Dignity Health Central Coast
Generously underwritten by Dignity Health Central Coast.
Young Artist Program
Festival Mozaic, in collaboration with the Colorado College Summer Music Festival (CCSMF), presents its
second annual Young Artist Program. Emerging musicians form the Festival Mozaic Young Artist String
Quartet, mentored by Scott Yoo and cellist Bion Tsang.
Library Mini-Concerts (Free)
- July 16 – Atascadero Library, 10:00 AM | Shandon Library, 2:00 PM
- July 17 – Nipomo Library, 10:00 AM | Los Osos Library/Community Center, 2:00 PM
- July 18 – San Luis Obispo Library, 10:00 AM
Young Artist Community Concert – July 19, 2:00 PM, Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College
Featured Young Artists:
- Dexter Doris, violin – Juilliard School
- Dylan Hamme, violin – Juilliard School
- Aliza Creel, viola – Juilliard School
- Gabriella McLennan, cello – University of Georgia
San Luis Obispo County Arts – Intermezzo: A Summer Poetry Series
- Monday, July 20, 2:00 PM – Edna Contemporary Gallery, San Luis Obispo
o Caleb Nichols – Poet Laureate of San Luis Obispo County
o Anna Zumbahlen – Southern California–based poet, author of Surety - Wednesday, July 22, 2:00 PM – Edna Contemporary Gallery, San Luis Obispo
o Prageeta Sharma – Award-winning poet, faculty at Pomona College, founder of Thinking Its
Presence
o Mt Vallarta – Filipinx poet and Cal Poly professor, author of What You Refuse to Remember
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival – Summer of Music Film Series
- July 15, 2:00 PM – On a String, Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
- July 17, 2:00 PM – Maestra, Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
- July 20, 4:00 PM – The Choral, Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
- July 26, 1:00 PM – Four Rational People, Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art – Meet the Artist Series
- July 25 – Muralist Bunnie Reiss
- July 30 – Composer/conductor Eric Whitacre
- July 31 – Actress Jane Kaczmarek
Tickets and subscription packages are available at www.festivalmozaic.org.