Gateways Music Festival 2026 Spring Festival

The Gateways Music Festival returns home to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for its 2026 Spring Festival, a transformative week celebrating over three decades of artistry, fellowship, and community building. Founded by acclaimed pianist and educator Armenta Hummings Dumisani more than 30 years ago, the festival represents a vital institutional commitment to connecting and supporting professional classical musicians of African descent while inspiring audiences through world-class performance and mentorship.

Festival Mission and Vision

At its core, the festival embodies the principle that "black culture and classical music are not in conversation from a distance — they are inseparable." The 2026 Spring Festival specifically honors the visionary work of founder Armenta Hummings Dumisani, whose dedication to creating affirming spaces for Black classical artists has shaped the organization's identity. As described by Gateways President and Artistic Director Alex Laing, the festival represents "lineage and presence," bringing together artists across generations to celebrate interconnected musical traditions while creating pathways for emerging musicians.

2026 Programming Highlights

The festival features an ambitious lineup of concerts, educational programs, and community events spanning April 19-23, 2026:

Concert Series: The culminating event, "Gateways in Celebration: A Concert Honoring the Legacy of Armenta Hummings Dumisani," features violist Amadi Azikiwe and violist Marcus Thompson performing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto alongside works by Coleridge-Taylor and Margaret Bonds. The Gateways Brass Collective presents a dynamic program tracing Black artistic impact across musical landscapes.

Educational Programming: A Paul J. Burgett Lecture features pianist Mira Walker exploring the Chicago Black Renaissance through composers Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Betty Jackson King, and Irene Britton Smith. Emmy Award-winning pianist and conductor Damien Sneed presents a recital showcasing his expansive musical voice. The Young Musicians Institute Brass Day offers technique workshops and ensemble experiences for student musicians.

Community Engagement: The Gateways Brass Collective participates in worship at Centenary United Methodist Church, while community conversations foster meaningful dialogue around musical traditions and contemporary practice.

Artist Excellence

The festival showcases internationally recognized performers and educators including violist Marcus Thompson (former MIT Robert R. Taylor Professor), conductor and composer Damien Sneed (Emmy Award winner, tenured associate professor at Howard University), and pianist Mira Walker (2025 NAMM Scholarship Competition winner). The Gateways Brass Collective—established in 2018—features musicians who perform with major orchestras including Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony while maintaining university faculty positions nationwide.

Accessibility and Community

All public events are offered free with RSVP, ensuring community access to world-class programming. Venues include Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem State University, Forsyth County Central Library, and United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, anchoring the festival within the Winston-Salem community.