Welcome to Gateways LIVE

Tune in for our next broadcast on Monday, April 6, 2026 @ 7:30pm ET

about THE program

Join us online for Prelude to Spring, a special pre-festival livestream celebrating the piano legacy at the heart of Gateways. Rooted in the artistry of founder Armenta Hummings Dumisani, this program honors the pianistic virtuosity that is a time-honored Gateways tradition.

Featuring performances by Stewart Goodyear, David Berry, Artina McCain, Joshua Mhoon, Joseph Williams, Nnenna Ogwo, Rochelle Sennet, and Armenta Hummings Dumisani, and hosted by 2026 Spring Festival piano recitalist Damien Sneed, the evening will span music by Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Joseph Joubert, and voices that reflect both tradition and contemporary expression. This special online event offers a beautiful prelude to the spring festival ahead.

Help Sustain THIS Home for
Black Classical Artistry

Whether one-time, monthly, or quarterly, your support helps Gateways bring live programs like tonight’s to life, care for our artists, and build a legacy that will inspire generations.

3% Cover the Fee

DONATE TODAY

MAIL YOUR DONATION: To send a donation via mail, please make check out to “Gateways Music Festival” and send to 26 Gibbs Street, Box 58, Rochester, NY 14604.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To inquire about your donation, planned gifts, underwriting, sponsorship or gifts-in-kind, please contact LaTanya Afolayan at 585-274-1127 or by email.

Gateways Music Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your gift is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Gateways’ Federal Employer / Tax Identification Number (FEIN/TIN) is 16-1562873.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Founded to counteract the isolation and underestimation faced by many Black classical artists, Gateways Music Festival embodies creativity, resilience, and community.

our story

Since 1993, Gateways Music Festival has been unwavering in its commitment to the ongoing project of equity for Black people, recognizing that this work is far from complete. Gateways challenges and disrupts the historical use of art to perpetuate racial hierarchies by celebrating and amplifying the contributions of Black classical musicians and sustaining this community of artists and its rich tradition. By providing a platform for Black classical artists, Gateways not only showcases their talent but also redefines cultural and aesthetic narratives, using art to foster a more just, inclusive world. 

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