The Sitka Music Festival invites you to its third annual Winterlude, an enchanting evening illuminated by candlelight, where intimate classical music intertwines with community spirit and elevated small bites. Hosted at the historic Miner Music Center in Stevenson Hall, this beloved event opens its doors at 6:30 PM for a reception featuring artisanal bites and beverages, followed by a 7:00 PM performance.

This year, audiences will be captivated by the return of two Sitka favorites: Natasha Paremski, the Russian-American virtuoso who debuted professionally at age nine and has since enthralled global stages—from the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Wigmore Hall—with her astounding technical prowess and profound, nuanced interpretations; and Piers Lane, the acclaimed Australian pianist whose career spans over four decades, highlighted by his triumph as Best Australian Pianist at the 1977 Sydney International Piano Competition and performances at Carnegie Hall and beyond. Joining them is a special appearance by SMF's Grammy-winning Artistic Director, Zuill Bailey, in a program featuring selections from Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and more.

For over 50 years, the Sitka Music Festival—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—has championed classical music at the highest artistic standards, bridging worlds by bringing world-class chamber ensembles to more than 40 remote Alaskan communities and fostering deep cultural exchanges with local traditions. Winterlude embodies this legacy, creating unforgettable moments of shared artistry in the heart of Sitka.