Stringfest performances provide children in local string education programs with opportunities to learn from and perform alongside professional artists. Stringfest programs are open to the public, and the Celebrity Series invite you to witness the magic that unfolds when young musicians engage with dynamic, world-class performers!

Puerto Rican-born, Boston-based saxophonist Edmar Colón is a red-hot young jazz bandleader and composer who is a frequent leader and guest artist on Celebrity Series stages. Most recently heard alongside Rob Kapilow in a 2025 What Makes it Great? presentation about Simon & Garfunkel, Colón can play it all!

Colón and his Ensemble team with young string players from Project STEP, City Strings United, and Boston Music Project for an afternoon of intergenerational inspiration and artistry. The youth ensembles open the concert with winter selections, followed by Colón’s ensemble and side-by-side jazz-inspired interpretations of Puerto Rican folk songs.