Caramoor strives to make a place for listeners in every age group

Audience members take in a concert in the Spanish Courtyard of the Rosen House, one of Caramoor's many performance venues. CARAMOOR PHOTO

By GILLIAN FOX 

As I reach the end of my first year as president and CEO of Caramoor, I have been reflecting on what makes this extraordinary place so meaningful to so many people. It is certainly the world-class artistry that fills our stages all year long, the beauty of the gardens, and the history and significance of the Rosen House. But increasingly, I believe Caramoor’s greatest strength lies in its ability to bring people together across generations and create lasting memories through shared cultural experiences.

For over 80 years, Caramoor has served as a vibrant cultural destination where music, arts, and nature come together. That legacy remains central to our mission today. As we look toward the future, however, one of our most important opportunities is to ensure that audiences of all ages feel welcome, inspired and connected here, particularly families and our youngest listeners who may be discovering the arts for the very first time.

Summer season set

Our 2026 summer season once again features internationally acclaimed artists and exceptional performances spanning classical, jazz, American roots, global music, opera, and the American songbook. The level of artistry that guests experience when they visit Caramoor rivals what one might encounter in New York City’s great concert halls, yet it happens right here in our own backyard, in our “garden of great music.”

Over the past several months, we have been focused on expanding how people engage with Caramoor and increasing the pathways through which audiences discover the joy of live performance and cultural connection.

This includes how families experience our campus and recognizing that a child’s first concert, a family picnic before a performance, or an afternoon spent exploring the grounds together can become the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the arts and with Caramoor. These experiences matter, not only for families themselves, but for the long-term vitality of cultural organizations everywhere.

Arts organizations across the country are asking themselves the same questions regarding how we connect younger generations with the arts and develop meaningful relationships with cultural institutions. How do we create environments that feel welcoming and approachable, while maintaining the highest artistic standards? For Caramoor, I believe an additive approach allows us to continue prioritizing artistic excellence across all genres while also creating more opportunities for discovery, participation, and intergenerational engagement. This philosophy is reflected throughout our 2026 programming and future planning.

Growing family programs

This season, audiences will continue to encounter the breadth and depth of Caramoor’s artistic offerings while also finding new opportunities to engage as families and communities. Our family programs are growing thoughtfully, with experiences designed to introduce children to live music in joyful and meaningful ways. Programs like Dancing at Dusk invite young audiences to experience world-class music in an informal outdoor setting that encourages curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Beyond concerts, children can participate in kids’ art classes that take inspiration from the Rosen House collection, while families can enjoy Teddy Bear Teas, Butterfly Walks of the grounds, and other opportunities to explore Caramoor together. Our expanded Beyond the Music programming also includes the new “Inside Lucie’s Wardrobe” Rosen House Focus Tour, nature and wellness programs, and conversations on a variety of topics, from fashion to food. These experiences go hand-in-hand with our artistic mission; they are part of how we cultivate future audiences, deepen relationships with current ones, and invite audiences of all ages to engage with Caramoor in meaningful and lasting ways.

Our commitment to intergenerational engagement also extends beyond our campus and directly into local classrooms through our Student Strings initiative. Through the Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence program, visiting artists engage with middle and high school music students through mentorship, coaching, and hands-on instruction. This season, the Poiesis Quartet connected with more than 1,100 students, offering young musicians the opportunity to experience world-class artistry up close and leaving a lasting impression on many of them. By connecting working artists with young learners, we help ensure that cultural discovery and access to exceptional music education remain available to students throughout our region, not only to those who visit Caramoor with their families. 

Fostering shared experiences

This year, we have welcomed many first-time guests through these new public programs, reinforcing something deeply important: cultural institutions are not only places where art is presented. They are places where memories are formed, and traditions are built, and that sense of belonging is essential to Caramoor’s future.

As we continue to evolve, my vision is for Caramoor to remain a place where longtime supporters, devoted music lovers, first-time visitors, children, and families alike all feel equally welcome. A place where someone can attend a world-class concert one evening, return for a family program the next weekend, and spend a quiet afternoon walking the grounds another day entirely.

In an increasingly fast-paced and disconnected world, places that foster shared experiences across generations matter more than ever. They strengthen communities, inspire curiosity, and remind us of the value of coming together. That is the future we are building at Caramoor, and I am deeply optimistic about the possibilities ahead.

Gillian Fox is president and CEO of Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah.