La Jolla Music Society has announced that Inon Barnatan will continue as Music Director of SummerFest for another five years, extending his tenure through 2030.
Barnatan, an internationally recognized pianist, has directed SummerFest since 2019, curating the artistic themes, programming the concerts, and selecting the invited musicians. The 2025 edition included 20 concerts over four weeks and more than 50 free Learning & Engagement events, making it the largest in the festival’s history.
“Inon’s artistic vision has propelled SummerFest to new heights, uniting a vibrant community of world-class musicians, jazz artists, and dancers,” said Leah Rosenthal, Artistic Director of La Jolla Music Society. The new contract also anticipates the 40th anniversary of the festival in 2026.
As Music Director, Barnatan oversees the jury for the SummerFest Fellowship Artists, chosen from an international pool of applicants, and takes part in activities such as workshops, open rehearsals, and artist conversations. He also appears regularly in SummerFest concerts.
Beyond his festival role, Barnatan maintains an international career, appearing with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. He has also performed at venues including Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall, and is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award.
“Every SummerFest has felt like both a homecoming and a new beginning,” said Barnatan. “I’m thrilled to extend my role and to keep exploring the music, ideas, and collaborations that make this festival so unique.”
SummerFest takes place at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla, a coastal neighborhood of San Diego, California, known for its cultural life, oceanfront setting, and as home to one of Southern California’s leading music institutions. The 40th anniversary SummerFest will be held there in July and August 2026.
Subscribe to our newsletter