Prepare your senses for an extraordinary musical journey as the Soka University Performing Arts Center unveils a star-studded lineup featuring Grammy nominees, acclaimed musicians, and legendary performers. From the soul-stirring sounds of the Blind Boys of Alabama to the virtuoso techniques of Nikolai Lugansky, this season promises a rich tapestry of cultural and artistic experiences. With events spanning from the enchanting Celtic Christmas to the rhythmic mastery of Zakir Hussain, each performance is set to captivate and inspire audiences in Aliso Viejo, California.

A Symphony of Sounds: Soka PAC's Star-Studded Lineup

Soka University of America's Performing Arts Center is set to host a remarkable series of concerts, featuring a blend of classical and modern music. From the grandeur of Brahms to the soulful rhythms of jazz and the vibrant beats of world percussion, this lineup promises an unforgettable musical experience. With renowned artists like Shunta Morimoto, Kurt Elling, and Zakir Hussain taking the stage, each event is a celebration of diverse musical traditions, artistic brilliance, and cultural exchange.

Soka Performing Arts Center: A Year of Musical Mastery and Cultural Harmony

Embark on a captivating musical journey at the Soka Performing Arts Center, where an array of extraordinary performances awaits. From Kurt Elling's innovative jazz reinterpretations with the Yellowjackets to the soulful harmonies of the Blind Boys of Alabama, this season immerses you in diverse genres and rich narratives. Experience the virtuosic talents of classical artists like Nikolai Lugansky and Amaryn Olmeda, the rhythmic mastery of Zakir Hussain's percussion ensemble, and the engaging artistry of Terence Blanchard's jazz celebration. Each event promises to be a unique cultural feast for the senses.

A Musical Odyssey: Celebrating Jazz, Classical, and Global Rhythms at Soka Performing Arts Center

Soka University of America is set to host an extraordinary array of performances from March to May 2025, featuring a rich tapestry of genres and cultures. From Zakir Hussain's masterful percussion to the timeless compositions of Mozart and Chopin, the events promise to offer something spectacular for every music aficionado. Join us as we explore the diverse talent and artistry that will take center stage at the Soka Performing Arts Center, offering a profound celebration of music's power to unite and inspire.

Soka University's 2025 Performance Lineup: A Symphony of Cultures and Musical Mastery

Soka University's Performing Arts Center is gearing up for an extraordinary spring season featuring a diverse array of world-class performances. These events promise to captivate audiences with the talent of renowned musicians such as violinist Gil Shaham, pianist Orli Shaham, and the stirring sounds of Terence Blanchard with The E-Collective and The Turtle Island Quartet. From classical sonatas to jazz fusions and operatic dramas, this season's lineup is set to offer an enriching cultural journey for music enthusiasts.

An Unforgettable Spring of Musical Excellence at Soka University

[Joshua Roman is] “A cellist of bold character and poetic grace … a masterful player who brings curiosity and electrical energy to every note.” - The Plain Dealer

EPSG:4326

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart, Barber's Adagio & Tchaikovsky With Joshua Roman, Cello

Soka Performing Arts Center

NEA Jazz Master, two-time Emmy and Oscar nominee, and eight-time GRAMMY®-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st-century Renaissance man. In celebration of his artistic achievements, Blanchard will reimagine the music from his critically acclaimed album FLOW for a 20th-anniversary tour in 2025.

Terence Blanchard Featuring The E-Collective And The Turtle Island Quartet

At age 13, violinist Randall Goosby performed with the New York Philharmonic in a Young People’s Concert earning him a rave review from The New York Times, “…his performance won him a deserved standing ovation for its sheer virtuosity.” The San Diego native returns to take audiences on a musical journey. 

Randall Goosby

Gil Shaham and Orli Shaham, two musical virtuosos in their own right, are joining forces for an extraordinary recital. GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Gil Shaham, celebrated for his flawless technique and unmatched warmth, and acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham, recognized for her grace and brilliance, are set to deliver a performance that promises to captivate and inspire.

Gil Shaham, Violin And Orli Shaham, Piano

Leif Ove Andsnes is a pianist whose artistry has been recognized with eleven GRAMMY® nominations and seven Gramophone Awards, cementing his status as a leading figure in classical music. His performances are celebrated for their elegance, power, and profound insight, making each concert a must-see event for any music enthusiast.

Leif Ove Andsnes

Pacific Symphony, under the direction of conductor Dr. Jacob Sustaita, continues to enchant audiences with its dynamic performances and innovative programming. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Symphony has established itself as the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years, gaining recognition on both national and international stages. Soka Performing Arts Center is proud to be the home of the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra.

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart & Bruch With Amaryn Olmeda, Violin

Due to the passing of Zakir Hussain, his scheduled performance at Soka Performing Arts Center has been canceled.

The undisputed tabla star of his generation, Zakir Hussain possesses a “virtuosity that is barely to be believed” (The Washington Post). For his legion of Cal Performances fans, Hussain returns with his dazzling Masters of Percussion program, a gathering of fellow musical heavyweights representing a myriad of cultures and traditions, from Indian classical music to jazz. The spirit of collaboration and exchange runs in Hussain’s veins—he began touring more than two decades ago in a duo with his late father and mentor, the legendary Ustad Allarakha, and today keeps that artist’s memory alive through these spirited concerts featuring the world’s finest percussionists. This year’s Masters of Percussion group features Hussain joined by Indian sarangi player (and son of legendary sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan) Sabir Khan; Colombian-born jazz master Tupac Mantilla;  balafon, barra, djembe, and conga player Melissa Hié, and master of the dholak and tabla student of Hussain’s father Ustad Allarakha, Navin Sharma.

Cancelled: Zakir Hussain's Masters Of Percussion

“The pianist of the overwhelming sensitivity, who puts forward not himself, but the music…” - The Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nikolai Lugansky

“Credited with soundtracking the American Civil Rights movement … they’re showing no signs of stopping. The Blind Boys of Alabama are here to stay” - CNN

Blind Boys Of Alabama & Shemekia Copeland

L.A.’s own Yellowjackets, boasting four decades of musical excellence, will headline and open this double-billing featuring two debuts!. Kurt Elling “The standout male vocalist of our time” (-The New York Times), reimagines Weather Report tunes with original band member Peter Erskine. Highlighting compositions by Wayne Shorter, Weather Report stands as the quintessential modern jazz group of the 1970s and 1980s.

Kurt Elling Celebrates Weather Report With Special Guest, Peter Erskine & The Yellowjackets

“Music has always been my first, and strongest, language to communicate with people from different countries and backgrounds.” - Shunta Morimoto

Brahms And Bennett With Shunta Morimoto, Scott Dunn And The Four Seasons Orchestra

Back by popular demand and quickly becoming a cherished holiday tradition, this annual show is a favorite among Soka PAC patrons. This performance will sell out, so get your tickets early!

Celtic Christmas With "Titanic" Piper Eric Rigler & Dirk Freymuth

Meet the musicians of the Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble as they appear in their first performance of the season, led by conductor, Johannes Müller Stosch. 

Orange County Youth Symphony & String Ensemble Fall Concert

Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair for the past 34 years, continues to captivate audiences with its dynamic performances and innovative programming. The orchestra, known for its rich history and contributions to both the national and international music scenes, will imbue this program with unparalleled artistry. Soka Performing Arts Center is proud to be the home of the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra.

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart & Beethoven With Elias Ackerley, Piano

“America’s leading historically informed ensemble” - The New York Times

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Immerse yourself in an evening of musical mastery as Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few take the stage. Hailing from Chicago’s vibrant Southside, Isaiah Collier’s journey through music has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few

Multiple GRAMMY® Award-winner Shawn Colvin—with 13 superlative albums, a critically acclaimed memoir, and a non-stop national and international touring schedule—teams up with Grammy-nominated Scottish musician and captivating performer and songwriter KT Tunstall—who balances introspective folk and energetic rock. The raw and soulful music of both Shawn Colvin and KT Tunstall is a profound source of comfort, offering deep solace and inspiration navigating the ups and downs of life with grace and resilience making for an unforgettable night of music

An Evening With Shawn Colvin & KT Tunstall: Together Onstage!

“His greatness, his overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect emerges quickly as he plays. Within minutes we are totally captured by his intensity and pianistic achievement.” - Los Angeles Time

Emanuel Ax

[Edgar Meyer is] “The most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument.” - The New Yorker

Edgar Meyer (Double Bass), Tessa Lark (Violin), Joshua Roman (Cello)

“I know of no musician whose Bach playing is of greater subtlety, beauty of tone, persuasiveness of judgment or instrumental command” - BBC Music Magazine

Angela Hewitt

“By almost any measure, Ohlsson is one of the great American pianists.” - The Washington Post

Garrick Ohlsson

Prepare for an unparalleled musical experience as “OUR HOUSE: The Music of CSNY” assembles to perform the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young repertoire with an extraordinary ensemble of FAMILY & FRIENDS. What sets this apart is the stellar, historic lineup, featuring:  

Our House: The Music Of CSNY Performed By Family & Friends

Join us for an unforgettable evening with six-time GRAMMY® Award winner Dionne Warwick as she kicks off the 2024-2025 season at Soka Performing Arts Center. Known for her timeless hits “Do You Know the Way to San Jose”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, “Walk On By”, “I Say a Little Prayer” and more, Warwick’s soulful voice and captivating stage presence are sure to enchant audiences of all ages.

Dionne Warwick

Calisamba is a vibrant trio of Brazilian musicians who serendipitously crossed paths in May 2017. Their journey began in Huntington Beach, where they performed their debut show in June of the same year. The event was a resounding success, captivating the Brazilian community in Southern California and generating significant buzz. Riding this wave of enthusiasm, Calisamba quickly ascended to become the most beloved and followed Brazilian Samba/Pagode band in California.

Calisamba

Young Prince Hal, the reluctant heir to the throne, spends more time drinking and playing pranks on Falstaff than he does navigating the intrigues of court. But with England itself at stake, Hal embraces his destiny, becoming the king who will lead his country to victory at Agincourt.

Shakespeare By The Sea: Henry IV: Falstaff & The Boy Who Would Be King

Soka University of America

The Festival of Tabla™ (FOT) is a musical tapestry woven with threads of tradition and innovation. As the largest gathering of Indian Classical musicians on the West Coast, it’s more than a festival - it’s a cultural symphony. We’ve set a global stage where Tabla solos resonate alongside instrumental virtuosos, vocal maestros, and mesmerizing dance pieces. Here, rising talents share the spotlight with seasoned artists, creating a melodic mosaic, where every note tells a story. From India to the U.S., exceptional artists converge at the Festival where an unbiased platform provides for fresh voices to echo throughout the ages. The experience is beyond the music, and more about building bridges. FOT uplifts artists, fostering a vibrant sense of belonging, because it’s not just about the performances, it’s about weaving connections within the world music and arts community.

Festival Of Tabla - Day 2

Festival Of Tabla - Day 1

Pacific Symphony musicians will be performing a free outdoor chamber music concert with their Symphony on the Go! mobile stage.

Pacific Symphony: Symphony On The Go!

Internationally recognized as one of today’s most acclaimed and admired pianists, Yefim Bronfman stands among a handful of artists regularly sought by festivals, orchestras, conductors and recital series. His commanding technique, power and exceptional lyrical gifts are consistently acknowledged by the press and audiences alike.

Yefim Bronfman

The phenomenal Dover Quartet, recognized worldwide for their unparalleled artistry and captivating performances, is set to join forces with Norway’s foremost pianist, the incomparable Leif Ove Andsnes. This extraordinary collaboration promises to be a harmonious convergence of musical brilliance, as the Dover Quartet’s impeccable ensemble playing intertwines with Andsnes’ virtuosic piano skills, creating a spellbinding and unforgettable musical experience that will leave audiences in awe. Together, these remarkable musicians will elevate the performance to new heights, weaving a tapestry of musical mastery and emotional depth that transcends boundaries and resonates deeply with all who have the privilege to witness their collective brilliance.

Leif Ove Andsnes With Dover Quartet

Mike Tomaro has been the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA since 1997. The saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator earned his B.S. degree in Music Education from Duquesne University and his M.A. degree in Saxophone Performance from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, he lived in the Washington, D.C. area for seventeen years as a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, a unit of the prestigious “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band. While a member of this group, he served as its Enlisted Musical Director and performed for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton as well as heads of state from around the world. He also composed and/or arranged much of the Army Blues repertoire and was featured as a soloist on several of the group’s albums and CDs. Mike is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Diamond Artist. 

Mike Tomaro 10tet

Twinkle, is the Multi Award-winning Bilingual Children’s music phenomenon, presenting her bilingual pop/rock/hip-hop family concert Twinkle Time to audiences nationwide! Described as the “like Lady Gaga for kids,” by the New York Times Peruvian-American Twinkle breaks barriers with both her music and positive messages that teach kids to celebrate their uniqueness.

Twinkle Time

Source Theatre

Roger McGuinn - “Mr. Tambourine Man” - not only lived history, he made history with his fearless sense of experimentation. As the leader of the influential 60s group, The Byrds, he was on the leading edge, combining the rock beat of the Beatles with the folk sensibilities of Bob Dylan, to create the genre known as “folk-rock” His groundbreaking work on The Byrds “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” album, is widely credited with ushering in the genre of country rock. Roger’s solo career began in 1973 and has yielded 13 albums, a Grammy nomination, and extensive touring and performing for enthralled audiences ever since.  

An Evening With Roger McGuinn.

One of those rare musicians whose charisma and effortless talent has made him a beloved and revered musician across the world, violinist Joshua Bell appears with his chamber orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, for an enchanting evening of musical brilliance.

Joshua Bell & Academy Of St Martin In The Fields

Praised for her evocative lyricism and joyful, genuine approach, young American violinist Aubree Oliverson is proving to be one of most compelling artists of her generation, distinguishing herself with clear, honest, and colourful performances, which have been described as “powerful… brimming with confidence and joy” (Miami New Times) and “masterful” (San Diego Story).

Pacific Symphony Plays Beethoven And Mendelssohn With Aubree Oliverson, Violin

For nearly 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet - David Harrington (violin), John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt (viola), and Paul Wiancko (cello)—has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be. Founded at a time when the form was largely centered on long-established, Western European traditions, Kronos has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the string quartet into a living art form that responds to the people and issues of our time.

A Thousand Thoughts: Kronos Quartet And Live Documentary Film Narrated By Sam Green

Four-time GRAMMY Nominee Justin Roberts is one of the founders of the modern family music scene. For 25 years, Roberts has been creating the soundtrack to families’ lives, helping kids navigate the joys and sorrows of growing up, while inspiring parents to remember their own childhoods. His songs are the kind of get-stuck-in-your-head pop nuggets that draw comparisons to Elvis Costello, Fountains of Wayne, and Paul Simon rather than simple nursery rhymes, prompting USA Today to call him “hands-down the best songwriter in the genre. Along with his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, Justin has travelled the globe, from Hong Kong to New York, and Miami to Seattle.

Justin Roberts

“A performer of near-superhuman technical prowess” (The New York Times), pianist Marc-André Hamelin is known worldwide for his unrivaled blend of consummate musicianship and brilliant technique in the great works of the established repertoire, as well as for his intrepid exploration of the rarities of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. He regularly performs around the globe with the leading orchestras and conductors of our time, and gives recitals at major concert venues and festivals worldwide.

Marc-André Hamelin

Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand and to their six critically acclaimed recordings, Warriors, Cast the First Stone, Believe, Time and Time Again (which was the iTunes Jazz CD of the year in 2014), The Call of the Wild, Peaceful Heart and Look Out!. This exciting all-star septet summons up an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals marked by all the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters on the scene today.

The Cookers Featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart

With unparalleled artistry and enduring vigor, the Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ) continues to inspire audiences around the world. Founded in 1946 and hailed by The Boston Globe as “the most important American quartet in history,” the ensemble draws on a deep and vital engagement to the classics, while embracing the mission of championing new works, a vibrant combination of the familiar and the daring. Each performance of the Juilliard String Quartet is a unique experience, bringing together the four members’ profound understanding, total commitment, and unceasing curiosity in sharing the wonders of the string quartet literature.

Juilliard String Quartet

Jeremy Denk is one of America’s foremost pianists, proclaimed by the New York Times as “a pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs”. Denk is also a New York Times bestselling author, winner of both the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Jeremy Denk

“World’s Most Recorded Piper” Eric Rigler (Lord Of The Rings: Rings of Power, Outlander, Braveheart, Titanic) and multi-talented guitarist Dirk Freymuth return to create a night of acoustic holiday cheer.  Drawing from traditional Irish & Scottish melodies featured in their PBS Special, Celtic Journeys: Songs & Soundtracks, and themes from Eric’s motion picture & television soundtracks, the artists will highlight music from the Christmas tradition - both familiar and lesser - known pieces from the British Isles, Ireland, and other Celtic Nations around Europe.

Pacific Symphony Plays Gounod & Vivaldi With Benjamin Beilman, Violin

Celtic Christmas: "Outlander" And "Titanic" Piper Eric Rigler With Dirk Freymuth

Arguably the greatest of all baroque concertos, Bach’s six masterpieces have delighted audiences for centuries with their timeless creativity, lively instrumentation, and technical mastery. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos gave each instrumental family solo opportunities and created unusual combinations. Each of the six concertos differs, from the galumphing first, the more stately second, the homely third, the lofty fourth and the galloping fifth right through to the joyous sixth.

Chamber Music Society Of Lincoln Center: The Complete Brandenburg Concerti

With an overwhelming talent and innate musicality, rising star pianist Seong-Jin Cho returns in recital to Soka Performing Arts Center. In 2009, he became the youngest-ever winner of Japan’s Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, and two years later, he won third prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the age of 17. After graduating from the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in 2015, he won First Prize at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw, and in the following year he signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon.

Seong-Jin Cho

The first-time banjo legend Béla Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer got together to make an album, it was to write, not to play.

When Fleck and Meyer were looking for a third partner for a triple concerto, they had been commissioned to write to mark the opening of Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, they thought of Hussain, who was quite interested in orchestral writing. “We thought we could learn a whole lot from this guy!” says Béla. The result was The Melody of Rhythm (2009), recorded with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin.

As We Speak: Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Feat. Rakesh Chaurasia

Silkroad’s newest initiative, American Railroad, illuminates the impact of African American, Chinese, Irish, and Native American communities on the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad and America’s Westward Expansion. Exploring the dissemination of cultures across the United States, the railroad was to North America what the Silk Road was to China, the Far East and Europe.

American Railroad: Silkroad Ensemble With Rhiannon Giddens

Meet the musicians of the Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble as they appear in their first performance of the season, led conductor, Johannes Müller Stosch.  

Prepare for an extraordinary musical collaboration as acclaimed pianist Stephen Kovacevich and Pacific Symphony, both returning favorites, join forces. Under the baton of conductor Carl St. Clair, prepare to be enthralled with a riveting program dedicated to the timeless masterpieces of Mozart.

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart With Stephen Kovacevich, Piano

Jan and Dean were an American rock duo consisting of Jan Berry (April 3, 1941 – March 26, 2004) and Dean Torrence. In the early 1960s, they were pioneers of the California Sound and vocal surf music styles popularized by the Beach Boys. Among their most successful songs was 1963’s “Surf City”, the first surf song to top the Hot 100. Their other charting top 10 singles were “Drag City” (1963), “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena” (1964), and “Dead Man’s Curve” (1964); the last was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Surfin’ Safari With Dean Torrence (Of Jan & Dean) With The Surf City Allstars

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, founded by Bob Baker and Alton Wood in 1963, is the oldest children’s theater company in Los Angeles, and in June of 2009 the theater was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. With boundless imagination and wonder, The Bob Baker Marionettes have been telling stories and entertaining children and adults for over 70 years. Kids get to move around and interact with the beautifully crafted marionettes. Handled by master puppeteers, the marionettes are always the stars of the show and captivate children in simple yet fascinating ways.

Bob Baker Marionettes

One of today’s most sought-after conductors, renowned for his profound musicianship, technical brilliance, and charismatic presence, Rafael Payare assumed the leadership of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra as its Music Director on July 1, 2019.

San Diego Symphony With Rafael Payare, Conductor And Alisa Weilerstein, Cello

With a celebrated career encompassing five decades, Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today’s most sought after and versatile musicians.  A prodigious talent recognized worldwide for his artistry, Zukerman has been an inspiration to young musicians throughout his adult life. In a continuing effort to motivate future generations through education and outreach, the renowned violin and viola soloist, conductor, and chamber musician teamed up in 2002 with four protégés to form a string quintet called the Zukerman Chamber Players. The quintet amassed an impressive international touring schedule with close to two hundred concerts and four discs on the CBC, Altara and Sony labels. 

Pinchas Zukerman Trio With Shai Wosner And Amanda Forsyth

Hālau Hula Lani Ola is dedicated to the teaching, preservation, and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian dance and other Native Hawaiian cultural arts through education, demonstration, and community outreach programs.

Hālau Hula Lani Ola

LeAnn Rimes is an international multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer and ASCAP award-winning songwriter. She has sold more than 48 million units globally, won 2 Grammy® Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awards; 2 World Music Awards; 3 Academy of Country Music Awards; 2 Country Music Association Awards and one Dove Award. At 14, Rimes won “Best New Artist” making her the youngest solo artist to take home a Grammy® Award, and at 15, she became the first country artist to win “Artist of the Year” at the Billboard Music Awards.

LeAnn Rimes: The Story...So Far Tour

Two-time Grammy winner Alan Broadbent, born in Auckland, New Zealand, received a DownBeat magazine scholarship at the age of 19 to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1969, he was invited to join Woody Herman’s band as a pianist and arranger, a role he held for three years. Settling in Los Angeles in 1972, Broadbent began a fruitful musical relationship with the renowned singer Irene Kral, and his talents as a pianist were soon sought after in the studio scene, working with notable artists such as Nelson Riddle, David Rose, Barbara Streisand, and Johnny Mandel.

Alan Broadbent Trio

Pacific Symphony musicians will be performing a free outdoor chamber music concert with their Symphony on the Go! mobile stage.

Bring picnics, blankets, and low-backed beach chairs along with your friends and family to settle in for an evening of symphonic excellence.

Pacific Symphony: On The Go!

Shakespeare’s timeless tale of twins are separated in a shipwreck and forced to fend for themselves in Illyria. Viola, dressed as a page, falls in love with Orsino, who dotes on Olivia, who falls for Viola, but is idolized by Malvolio.

Shakespeare By The Sea: Twelfth Night Or What You Will

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart And Beethoven With Drew Petersen

Sparkling with beauty and drama, these two passionate operas will make your heart sing.

Amour Fatal: Carmen And La Traviata

Garnering four Latin Grammy nominations, two wins, six Emmy nominations and one win for their work on the Emmy Award-winning PBS show Lishy Lou and Lucky Too - husband and wife duo Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis; The Lucky Band (formally known as Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band) has solidified their place in children’s music. Named ‘THE face of kindie music’ by The Washington Post, ‘SUPERSTARS’ by Red Tricycle, ‘The Rolling Stones of Kids Music’ by the Style Network, and People magazine called their album “The #1 in COOLEST kids music!” They create indie music sounds that are rooted in their whimsical child-friendly imaginations. Billboard magazine calls The Lucky Band a “children’s music artist you should know.”

The Lucky Band

Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly calls him “The most lyrical piano player of our time.”

Kenny Barron

Two-time Grammy-nominated pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet returns to Orange County.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

The Colburn Orchestra’s guest conductor for this performance, Lionel Bringuier, has unfortunately withdrawn from all spring US engagements due to familial reasons. In place of Bringuier, the Colburn Orchestra will be joined by Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and will now be playing a program of Boulanger, Rachmaninoff and Mussorgsky.

Colburn Orchestra: Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor & Yanfeng (Tony) Bai, Piano

Blessed with “poetic and sensitive pianism” (The Washington Post) and a “wondrous sense of color” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive sensitivity.

Joyce Yang

Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today. A lyricist and composer who has won an Oscar Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, an Ivor Novello International Award, and earned induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Williams’ timeless classics ranging from “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “You and Me Against the World” to “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “The Rainbow Connection,” have touched millions of people for generations. As President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is also a leading spokesman for music creators in the digital age.

Paul Williams

Maria Schneider’s music has been hailed by critics as “evocative, majestic, magical, heart-stoppingly gorgeous, imaginative, revelatory, riveting, daring, and beyond categorization.” Blurring the lines between genres, her varied commissioners stretch from Jazz at Lincoln Center, to The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, to the American Dance Festival, and include collaboration with David Bowie. She is among a small few to receive GRAMMYS in multiple genres, having received the award in jazz and classical, as well as for her work with David Bowie.

Maria Schneider Orchestra Presents DATA LORDS

Big Hits & Spellbound is an approximately 80-minute program of songs that whisks the audience away to a lifetime of stories, songwriting, and personal revelation. Spellbound is Judy’s most autobiographical and personal album. It revisits the thrilling 1960s Greenwich Village years; recreates breathtaking moments in the wilds of Colorado during Judy’s childhood; snapshots her hellraising years; and frames quiet moments of nature from just a few years back. Select entries from the album will be rounded out with timeless hits from Judy’s career and beyond.

Judy Collins - Big Hits & Spellbound

A leading vocalist in contemporary jazz, Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. Nicknamed “Deedles” as a child (her mother’s endearment), Tacoma-born Schuur grew up steeped in traditional American jazz, courtesy of her parents’ formidable record collection with ample LPs by Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington.

Diane Schuur

Kiddle Karoo’s musical puppet shows and kid’s concerts are a unique combination of live performers and Muppet-style puppets. Los Angeles based Kiddle Karoo, along with her puppet pals and other costumed character friends, engage and delight children throughout the nation. With many themes to choose from, the Kiddle Karoo puppet shows and Kindie—rock concerts are the perfect family entertainment for any event!

Kiddle Karoo

One Earth Tour: Tsuzumi Features Dyu-Ha, Monochrome, O-daiko, Yatai-bayashi, Zoku, new compositions, and more.

KODO One Earth Tour: Tsuzumi

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, founded by Bob Baker and Alton Wood in 1963, is the oldest children’s theater company in Los Angeles, and in June of 2009 the theater was designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural-Monument. With boundless imagination and wonder, The Bob Baker Marionettes have been telling stories and entertaining children and adults for over 70 years. Kids get to move around and interact with the beautifully crafted marionettes. Handled by master puppeteers, the marionettes are always the stars of the show and captivate children in simple yet fascinating ways.

Catina DeLuna & Lado B Brazilian Project

Pacific Symphony Plays Respighi And Beethoven With Shunta Morimoto

Back by popular demand, and fast becoming a holiday tradition, this show is a Soka PAC favorite with our patrons.
Featuring Eric on Irish uilleann pipes, Scottish small-pipes & whistles, Dirk on acoustic guitar, and special guests on vocals & flute, this will be a magical evening to celebrate the holiday season for you and your family!
An audience favorite, this show sold out last year, so get your tickets early.

Storm Large: musician, actor, playwright, author, awesome. She shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova, where despite having been eliminated in the week before the finale, Storm built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day. She was also seen on the 2021 season of America’s Got Talent.

Storm Large

The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. “Christmas in Vienna” showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and, of course, holiday favorites.

Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas In Vienna

The 2022-2023 season brings the Viano String Quartet on extensive tours throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States, with recital debuts in New York City, Hannover, Zurich, Budapest, Cologne, Heidelberg, Eisenstadt, San Diego, Denver, Calgary, Newport, and Philadelphia, among other cities. The quartet will also return to Southern Methodist University, where they are in residence through the 22/23 season.

Viano String Quartet

Hub’s 2021-22 highlights include concerts presented by the Morgan Library and Museum, Celebrity Series of Boston, Seattle Symphony, Soka Performing Arts Center, and Williams Center for the Performing Arts. Season residencies include visits to Baylor, Portland State, Illinois State, and Georgetown universities. The coming season brings premieres of new works by Nathalie Joachim, Laura Kaminsky, and Nina C. Young. In fall 2021, the Library of Congress presents the “virtual premiere” of Hub’s collaboration with composer Carlos Simon, Requiem for the Enslaved, which will tour in 2022-23. Simon’s large-scale work honors the lives of 272 slaves sold by Georgetown University (where Simon serves on the faculty) in 1838, and features spoken-word artist Marco Pavé, trumpeter Jared Bailey, and Simon on piano.

Hub New Music with Special Guest Kojiro Umezaki

Vadym Kholodenko is fast building a reputation as one of the most musically dynamic and technically gifted young pianists, praised in his performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra “for his absorbing melodic shading [and] glittering passage work” (Philadelphia Enquirer). Winner of the 2013 Cliburn Competition, Kholodenko captivated audiences and critics alike with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra immediately appointing him their first Artist-in-Partnership for a period of three years. His latest solo disc on harmonia mundi, works by Scriabin, won a prestigious Diapason d’Or de l’année. Previous awards include First Prizes at both the Schubert Piano Competition, Dortmund (2011) and Sendai Piano Competition (2010).

Vadym Kholodenko

Stephen Kovacevich, one of the most revered artists of his generation, has long been recognized as one of the most searching interpreters – “A musician completely absorbed in his craft, his interpretations are like no one else’s and always emanate directly from the heart: musical messages of wisdom, peace, resignation, and hope” (The Washington Post).

Stephen Kovacevich

Karla Bonoff & David Lindley

Booker T. Jones

Pacific Symphony welcomes pianist George Li to the Soka Performing Arts Center stage to perform Beethoven’s powerful “Emperor” Concerto. Before that, Concertmaster Dennis Kim and Pacific Symphony oboist Ted Sugata join forces in Bach’s Concerto for Violin and Oboe. Carl St.Clair conducts.

Pacific Symphony Plays Bach And Beethoven With George Li, Dennis Kim And Ted Sugata

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Elvin Bishop has been performing his rollicking brand of front porch blues for over 50 years (his first professional gig was as guitarist for Junior Wells’ band in 1962). Grammy Award-winner and Blues Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Musselwhite is one of music’s most important active blues musicians. Together, they’ll share the stage for a stripped-down set of American roots music – a journey through rock, blues, and folk from two of music’s most engaging band leaders.

Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite Duo

Jennifer Frautschi is a two-time GRAMMY nominee and Avery Fisher career grant recipient and is an internationally sought-after soloist and recitalist. She joins Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Maestro St. Clair in a program that includes Frank Ticheli’s Rest for String Orchestra and Beethoven’s only concerto for one of the most popular instruments of his day: the violin.

Pacific Symphony Performs Walker and Beethoven with Stefan Milenkovich

Triple Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned flutist Hubert Laws is one of the few classical artists who has also mastered jazz, pop, and rhythm-and-blues genres; moving effortlessly from one repertory to another. 

Mike Garson with Hubert Laws

A new Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra composed by Danny Elfman for acclaimed Scottish percussionist Colin Currie, premiering with the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Carl St. Clair conducting.

United States Premiere: Percussion Concerto composed by Danny Elfman featuring British percussionist Colin Currie

Conrad Tao is a leader of the new generation of classical music. The pianist and composer has amassed a steady stream of awards and critical acclaim for his performances, compositions and recordings. A former prodigy, Conrad has emerged as a mature, thoughtful and thought-provoking artist with both a singular vision and the talent to realize it. Conrad’s commitment to new music extends far beyond his own compositions - he dedicates significant time and resources to performing, commissioning and curating many other bright new voices. His ceaseless exploration also lends a new, contemporary vitality to his much-lauded performances of the core repertory, further distinguishing him as one of the most compelling forces on the scene today.

Conrad Tao

Five-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, whose unparalleled technique and ingenuity in composition and performance has made him one of the most notable bassists in history, is joined by the Scottish Ensemble, for an upbeat performance. A MacArthur Award recipient and the only bassist to receive an Avery Fisher Prize, Edgar Meyer has carved out a remarkable and unique niche in the musical world, taking an instrument normally relegated to the back of the orchestra and realizing its full potential as a musical centerpiece. Through reimagined and original compositions, Meyer makes the bass the focal point of a piece and in his collaborations with other artists, such as Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and Chris Thile, he shows how versatile the instrument can be.</p><p>Winner of the Ensemble Award in the 2020 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, the Scottish Ensemble promotes the rich diversity of the string repertoire, exploring adventurous ways through which it can be presented and shared, and seeks out thoughtful ways of connecting classical music to contemporary life.

Edgar Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble

Mezzo-Soprano Alexandra Rodrick will be performing this afternoon for Milena Kitic, who unexpectedly is unable to appear. We thank Alexandra for stepping in at the eleventh hour, and wish Milena well.  Opera returns to Orange County as Parnassus Society presents another spectacular concert featuring internationally-acclaimed opera stars and the Parnassus Chamber Orchestra led by maestro Scott Dunn. Scenes from the greatest of grand operas are strung together to tell one story of devotion and betrayal, including Carmen, Rigoletto, Faust, Don Carlos, Il Trovatore and more. Our star-studded cast includes Grammy Award-winning operatic baritone Nmon Ford, mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic “vocally resplendent,” tenor Bruce Sledge “voluminous and radiant,” and soprano Lynette Tapia “exquisite…vibrant.” This is a concert you don’t want to miss.

Love, Betrayal and Vengeance

Grant Stewart Quintet

Krieger joins the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Maestro Carl St. Clair in a program that includes Beethoven Overture to the <em>Creatures of Prometheus</em> and Mozart Piano Concert No. 24 in c minor.

Pacific Symphony Performs Beethoven and Mozart with Norman Krieger

Joshua Bell & Academy of St Martin in the Fields

In this rare duo recital by two of today’s finest pianists, Garrick Ohlsson and Russian American master Kirill Gerstein team up to perform a program of Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and Busoni, including one of Busoni’s imaginative two-keyboard arrangements of music by Mozart.

Garrick Ohlsson & Kirill Gerstein

The Dover Quartet joins forces with the Escher String Quartet for a unique concert experience.

The Dover Quartet and Escher String Quartet

Step into a world of passion and heartbreak with Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, brought to you by the Parnassus Society. Feel the raw emotion as Karen Chia-Ling Ho, starring as Cio-Cio San, and Bruce Sledge as Pinkerton lead a stellar cast, including Milena Kitic as Suzuki, Nmon Ford as Sharpless, Maria Lazarova as Kate Pinkerton, Ryan Reithmeier as Bonze, and Robert Norman as Goro. Under the skilled direction of conductor Benjamin Makino with the Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra, and brought to life by the stage direction of Peter Atherton and the exuberant voices of the OCSA Puccini Chorus, this is a performance you won’t want to miss. Let the music and drama stir your soul in an unforgettable experience.

Soka University of America - Performing Arts Center

May 1, 2025

Madama Butterfly

Apr 16, 2025

Pacific Symphony Plays Mozart, Barber's Adagio & Tchaikovsky With Joshua Roman, Cello

Apr 12, 2025

Terence Blanchard Featuring The E-Collective And The Turtle Island Quartet

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Soka University of America - Performing Arts Center