Northern Lights Music Festival

08/24/2026

Congratulations to our Music Director Gavriel Heine, conductor on his La Scala debut. Read the rave review below.

Graham Spicer sees La Scala Ballet in Nureyev's production of Don Quixote featuring sparkling performances under the magical baton of Gavriel Heine.

07/22/2026

💙 Thank You.

As we close the curtain on the 2026 Northern Lights Music Festival, we simply want to say…

Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who attended a concert.

Thank you to our incredible audiences who filled our halls with warmth and applause.

Thank you to our donors, sponsors, and volunteers whose generosity made this season possible.

Thank you to our outstanding faculty, guest artists, orchestra musicians, opera cast, production team, staff, and board members for sharing your talent and dedication.

Thank you to our Young Artists, whose passion and artistry are the future of music.

And thank you to everyone who shared a post, invited a friend, encouraged us, or simply believed in what Northern Lights represents.

This season was one of celebration, remembrance, and resilience. Together we honored the extraordinary legacy of our founder, Veda Zuponcic, while proving that the music she loved continues to inspire and unite our communities.

Because of all of you, the music lives on.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of the 2026 Northern Lights Music Festival.

❤️ We can't wait to see you again.

07/20/2026

🎶 One Final Evening of Music! 🎶

Before the curtain falls on another unforgettable Northern Lights Music Festival, join us for one last performance!

The Sectionals, a talented vocal ensemble made up of singers from across Minnesota's Iron Range, will take the stage tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM at B'nai Abraham Cultural Center in Virginia.

Come celebrate the close of our 2026 season with an evening of beautiful singing, community, and music-making. Whether you've attended every concert this summer or this will be your first, we'd love to have you with us as we bring another memorable festival to a close.

📍 B'nai Abraham Cultural Center, Virginia, MN
📅 Tuesday
🕖 7:00 PM

Let's end the season together. We hope to see you there!

07/19/2026

🎶 ONE AFTERNOON. TWO EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTS. A MUSICAL JOURNEY YOU WON'T FORGET.

Looking for something inspiring to do today?

Join us at 4:00 PM for American Promise, one of the most exciting and wide-ranging programs of the Northern Lights Music Festival.

Acclaimed tenor Peter Joshua Burroughs, praised for his performances with the Washington National Opera, joins virtuoso pianist and conductor Carlos César Rodríguez—a Carnegie Hall performer whose career has taken him across Europe and the Americas—for an afternoon of breathtaking music and storytelling. Together, they bring extraordinary artistry, warmth, and passion to every performance.

From soaring melodies and heartfelt spirituals to Broadway favorites, American classics, and the fiery rhythms of Latin America, this concert is a celebration of the music that has shaped our hemisphere. Every selection tells a story.

✨ This isn't just another concert. It's an experience.

📍 Veda Zuponcic Auditorium – Mesabi East, Aurora
🕓 Today at 4:00 PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

Come celebrate the incredible musical spirit of the Americas with us—and bring someone who loves discovering great live music.

We'll save you a seat. ❤️🎶

07/18/2026

🎶 One Last Chance to Hear the Stars of Tomorrow! 🌟

For three weeks, these remarkable young musicians have immersed themselves in lessons, coachings, rehearsals, masterclasses, and performances. Now, before they return home, they take the stage one final time to share everything they've accomplished.

Join us for the Young Artists Final Concert, a celebration of talent, dedication, and the transformative power of music. You'll hear outstanding performances by the gifted students of the Northern Lights Music Festival as they conclude an unforgettable summer of artistic growth.

Many of these young artists will go on to perform on concert stages, opera houses, and in orchestras around the world. This is your opportunity to hear them at the beginning of that journey.

🎵 Young Artists Final Concert
📅 July 18
🕒 4-6PM
📍 Mesabi East

Come celebrate their achievements, applaud their hard work, and send them home with a warm Northern Lights farewell. Your support means the world to these talented young musicians.

07/16/2026

These local Iron Range singers are terrific! We're so happy to have them back again this year.

The Sectionals are an octet of singers from the Iron Range. They perform tight harmonies and jazz-inspired music in a program they call "The Spirit of Jazz."

07/16/2026

🎻 The music continues tonight!

Join us as the Northern Lights Music Festival performs in a brand-new performance venue—Apostolic Lutheran Church in Embarrass—for an evening of beautiful chamber music in an intimate setting.

Taking advantage of the church's unique acoustics, tonight's program features an all-string ensemble, highlighted by a special appearance from acclaimed tenor Peter Joshua Burroughs.

Each concert in the festival brings its own unique experience, and tonight’s performance offers a warm and inspiring evening of music in one of the Iron Range’s welcoming communities.

📍 Apostolic Lutheran Church, Embarrass
🕖 Tonight at 7:00 PM

Come experience the magic of live music—right in the heart of Embarrass!