Art of Elan

Arts innovators, music educators, community builders

11/02/2026

This Wednesday, experience two original commissions created for Art of Elan’s 20th anniversary season. ✨

Composers Eunike Tanzil and Jory Herman each created a new work exploring the ways our lives intertwine and the lasting impact of human connection.

Herman’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven reflects on life's purpose and the unexpected ways our encounters shape us. Written as a companion piece, Tanzil’s Two Voices at Dusk explores longing, connection, and the beauty of two voices finding their way back to one another.

Performed by Alex Greenbaum (cello) and Kate Hatmaker (violin), these two works offer a moving reflection on connection, purpose, and the relationships that shape us.

Mingei International Museum
Wednesday, November 4
6 PM Reception & Gallery Viewing | 7 PM Concert

For tickets: https://artofelan.org/concerts/painted-prayers-at-mingei

10/30/2026

The night before heading to Borrego Springs for Art of Elan in the Desert, we gathered at the Conrad Prebys Experimental Theater at UC San Diego for a special final dress rehearsal performance, welcoming audiences who couldn’t make the trip out to Borrego Springs. Here’s a few photos from the evening ✨

Photos by Gary Payne

10/28/2026

A big thank you to Jim Farber and San Francisco Classical Voice for this wonderful review of our performance of Olivier Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars under the desert sky! ✨

https://www.sfcv.org/articles/review/under-desert-sky-olivier-messiaens-canyons-meet-milky-way

Photos by Gary Payne

10/26/2026

Four Ways to Experience Art of Elan This November!

From music inspired by visual art to outdoor performances along a sculpture trail, free lunchtime concerts, and original compositions by the next generation of musicians, November is full of opportunities to experience music in unexpected ways. Here’s what’s coming up:

Painted Prayers at Mingei
Wednesday, November 4 at 7PM (6 PM Reception & Gallery Viewing)
Mingei International Museum

Inspired by Mingei’s Painted Prayers exhibition, this colorful program features world premieres and commissioned works by Jory Herman and Eunike Tanzil, alongside music by Kian Ravaei and David Bruce.
Tickets: https://artofelan.org/concerts/painted-prayers-at-mingei

Musical Migrations @ ICA North
Sunday, November 8, Doors open at 4PM with performances at 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 PM
ICA North

Explore the Sculpture Trail through chamber music with live dance and movement throughout the campus. All ages welcome; pay what you can!
Tickets: https://artofelan.org/concerts/musical-migrations-ica-north

Midday Music
Friday, November 20 at 12 PM
San Diego Central Library

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert featuring violinist Jing Yan Bowcott and stunning city views. Bring your lunch!

Young Artists in Harmony Fall Showcase
Saturday, November 21 at 2 PM
A Reason to Survive (ARTS)

Celebrate San Diego’s emerging composers as Art of Elan musicians premiere original works by local high school and college students. Free community concert, no RSVP needed.

Looking forward to seeing you! 🎶

10/14/2026

Join us this Friday for Midday Music! 🎶

Enjoy an afternoon performance by the Peter Sprague Quartet, featuring Peter Sprague on guitar, Tripp Sprague on saxophone and flute, Danny Green on piano, and Mack Leighton on bass.

Pack your lunch and settle in for an hour of live music and sweeping views of downtown from the Shiley Special Events Suite atop the San Diego Central Library.

Friday, October 16
12 PM
San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common
Free and open to all

Midday Music is presented in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library in memory of James R. Dawe, a longtime San Diego arts advocate and supporter of public libraries.

10/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for Art of Elan in the Desert! It was a breathtaking evening and an unforgettable experience performing Olivier Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars beneath the night sky in Borrego Springs.

A special thank you to Leslie Ann Leytham, ArtPower at UC San Diego, and La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa for their generosity and collaboration in making this extraordinary evening possible.✨

Photos by Gary Payne

10/12/2026

A heartfelt thank you to KPBS and Julia Dixon for the wonderful feature on Art of Elan in the Desert! We’re so grateful for the coverage as we prepare to perform Olivier Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars beneath the Anza-Borrego skies tonight.

Read the article here: https://www.kpbs.org/news/arts-culture/2026/10/06/art-of-elan-performs-ambitious-messiaen-piece-beneath-the-anza-borrego-stars

10/10/2026

SOLD OUT!

So much gratitude to everyone who has shown such wonderful interest in Art of Elan in the Desert! We can't wait to share this one-of-a-kind musical experience, featuring Olivier Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars. Many thanks to ArtPower at UC San Diego and La Casa del Zorro for their generous support.

Explore our upcoming concerts and discover more musical experiences at artofelan.org.

10/06/2026

For Your GRAMMY® Consideration
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Crossroads by Nahre Sol, Performed by Tina Chong

Experience Tina Chong performing Nahre Sol's Crossroads, featured on Art of Elan’s two-volume retrospective album, Visions & Dreams, celebrating 20 years of music, collaboration, and discovery.

https://www.phenotypicrecordings.com/for-your-grammy-consideration-art-of-elan

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