Seth Parker Woods, "a cellist of power and grace" (The Guardian), joins The Next Festival of Emerging Artists for a program of breathtaking scope showcasing the finest in contemporary music. Founder and Artistic Director Peter Askim leads a string orchestra composed of some of the world's foremost early-career string players in the world premiere of three new commissions: Essay #1: Leave the People — a searing exaltation of Black American Music by four-time GRAMMY nominee Curtis Stewart — and new works by Askim and GRAMMY-winning trumpeter and composer Michael R. Dudley. The evening concludes with Herencia, a deeply personal ode to hybrid cultural identity by composer-cellist Andrea Casarrubios and the East Coast Premiere of the shape-shifting Ire: Concerto for Cello, Strings, and Percussion by Rebecca Saunders with Woods as soloist.

Following a residency in Chatham, NY focused on performance, the second week of the festival, based in NYC, is centered on collaboration. Both the Composer Workshop (led by Pulitzer and GRAMMY-winning Aaron Kernis) and the Composer/Choreographer Workshop (with choreographer mentor Sidra Bell) provide early-career creators the opportunity to develop new works in close collaboration with Festival performer fellows. The week culminates in an open workshop, providing a view into the creative and collaborative process.