Kingston Notes

In this first part of a two-part conversation, host Anna Gray speaks with violinist Harriet Langley and cellist Audrey Chen of the Terra String Quartet.They share the story of how the quartet came together, the meaning behind their name, and what it takes to build an ensemble rooted in communication, trust, and collaboration. The conversation also explores their approach to storytelling in chamber music, both on stage and in the programs they create.Looking beyond the music itself, they reflect on what chamber music can offer in today’s world, and how it can foster connection, empathy, and shared understanding.The Terra String Quartet will make their Rhode Island debut at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival this summer, performing July 24–26. Learn more and purchase tickets here!

Host Anna Gray talks with pianist and Artistic Director Natalie Zhu about the 2026 Kingston Chamber Music Festival and its theme, Life, Liberty & Music.They explore how a festival season is shaped--from concept to stage--and how chamber music can spark dialogue, connect cultures, and bring people together in meaningful ways. As the festival enters its 38th season alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary, this conversation reflects on music as a living, evolving art form how music that carries history and opens space for conversation in uncertain times.The Kingston Chamber Music Festival's two-week festival will be held July 22-August 2, 2026 in Kingston, Rhode Island. More information and tickets: kingstonchambermusic.org/

On August 3, the Dover Quartet returns to the Kingston Chamber Music Festival (KCMF) to perform Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate (Chickasaw)'s Rattle Songs, a classical transcription of a piece originally written by Purá Fe and performed by Ulali, a trio who combined Native roots and contemporary styles with vocals, stomping, and rattling turtle shells. In this episode, Camden Shaw, cellist of the Dover Quartet, and Tate discuss the piece.Listen to a panel conversation with Tate, Shaw, and others here.KCMF's 37th season will be held July 23-August 3 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more and purchase tickets on our website! See the full list of repertoire for the August 3rd concert here.Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks.

In this episode Natalie Zhu, Artistic Director of the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, and Allison Lacasse, Artistic Director of the URI Summer Music Academy, a camp for string, woodwind, brass, piano, and percussion students in the 7th through 12th grades, discuss the growing relationship between these two musical initiatives. This year, the GRAMMY-nominated Dover Quartet, acclaimed clarinetist Ricardo Morales, and other artists will provide masterclasses to campers, and the students will have free showcase performances on August 1st and 3rd in Edwards Hall prior to festival concerts. In the second half of the episode, KCMF Social Media Intern Sophia Rousseau speaks with Carleton Fisher, the 2025 KCMF scholarship recipient. KCMF's 37th season will be held July 23-August 3 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more and purchase tickets on our website!Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks.

Violinist Amy Oshiro-Morales will perform in the Kingston Chamber Music Festival in Kingston, Rhode Island, on July 30th, August 1st, and August 3rd. In this episode, she shares insights into the music she'll perform in Kingston -- including the only solo violin piece of the entire festival, Eugène Ysaÿe's Solo Violin Sonata No.3 -- as well as her thoughts on the privilege of working int he arts, how music helps us pause and appreciate beauty, and why chamber music offers a rare opportunity for authentic connection between musicians and audiences. She also reflects on balancing professional performance with personal inspiration--and what continues to draw her back to the Kingston stage. KCMF's 37th season will be held July 23-August 3 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more and purchase tickets on our website!Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks.

In Triplicate is a trio of internationally acclaimed musicians — violinist Jasmine Lin, cellist Clancy Newman, and bassist Nate Farrington. Celebrated for being “dazzling, profound, and highly entertaining” by the San Diego Story, the trio composes, arranges, and performs their own music. In this episode, they discuss the trio's origin story, their exhilarating musical expression that dances with the boundaries of classical music, the enduring relevance of classical music, and more!They will perform in the Kingston Chamber Music Festival on July 26th at the Jamestown Arts Center in Jamestown, RI. KCMF's 37th season will be held July 23-August 3, 2025. Learn more and purchase tickets for each concert on our website!Thank you to the Kingston Notes podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks.

Pianist Henry Kramer will perform in the Kingston Chamber Music Festival in Kingston, Rhode Island, on July 23rd and July 27th. In this episode, he discusses his background, inspirations, insights into this season's repertoire, how chamber music can help us process the world, and more. Watch Kramer's incredible performances at last year's festival on our YouTube page, including Camille Saint-Saëns's Piano Trio No. 1 in F Major for Piano, Violin, and Cello; Dana Suesse's Night Sky; Valerie Coleman's Wish Sonatine for Flute and Piano; and Paul Schoenfield's Cafe Music for Violin, Cello and Piano.Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks!KCMF's 37th season will be held July 23-August 3 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more and purchase tickets on our website!

Violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen will perform during the Kingston Chamber Music Festival's 37th season on July 25th as part of Curtis-on-Tour. The full program is available here. Recognized as one of the most celebrated violinists of her generation, Koljonen has thrilled audiences and critics in more than one hundred cities throughout the world. She has received international acclaim and has performed in some of the world’s most venerated concert venues. For more information and to purchase tickets for the July 25th concert, titled "A Collection of Songs," please visit our website. Thank you to our podcast sponsor, The Public's Radio, and to our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks!

The Kingston Chamber Music Festival (KCMF) will present its 37th season July 23-August 3, 2025 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. In this episode, you'll hear from William Ge, Clara Chen, and Julie Chen, three teenagers who have been involved with KCMF in various capacities. Pianist William Ge was featured in our first annual Young Artist Mini Recital in 2023. Cellist Julie Chen will perform in the third annual Young Artist Mini Recital this summer, on July 25th. Clara Chen--a pianist, singer, and daughter of KCMF Artistic Director Natalie Zhu and violist Che-Hung Chen--has attended KCMF concerts since she was born.Watch William Ge's recital here. Pianist Ian Lin performed in our second annual Young Artist Mini Recital in 2024, and his performance is available here.For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website!

The Kingston Chamber Music Festival will present its 37th season July 23-August 3, 2025 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island (URI). In this episode, you'll hear from pianist Moé Takamatsu and classical guitarist Adrián Montero. They play together as Hashi Duo and will perform Marvin Camacho's 7 Haikus on July 23. You'll also hear from Dr. Eliane Aberdam, a composer and professor of music at URI.Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, and to our recording engineer, Ethan Hicks.The intro music for this podcast was created and performed by cellist and composer Clancy Newman using just his cello. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website!.

The Kingston Chamber Music Festival (KCMF) has proudly presented extraordinary chamber music concerts in Kingston, RI, since 1989. In this episode, you'll hear from KCMF Artistic Director and pianist Natalie Zhu and longtime patron Dr. David Fastovsky.Our 37th season will be held July 23-August 3, 2025 in Edwards Hall at the University of Rhode Island. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit kingstonchambermusic.org.Thank you to our podcast sponsor, the Matunuck Oyster Bar!The intro music for this podcast was created and performed by cellist and composer Clancy Newman using just his cello!Recording engineer: Ethan Hicks