Dr. Rochelle Sennet Featured in 2025 Gateways Music Festival in New York City
The Gateways Music Festival returns to New York from April 24–27, 2025, with a celebration of Black classical artistry. Among the festival’s standout artists is Dr. Rochelle Sennet, professor of piano at the School of Music and associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College of Fine and Applied Arts. A distinguished performer and scholar, Dr. Sennet will perform a solo piano recital at Eastman School of Music on Monday April 21, and another recital at the Harlem School of the Arts on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Presented in association with the Eastman School of Music, Gateways showcases the artistry of Black classical musicians from across the country through performances, educational events, and community conversations. Dr. Sennet’s recital reflects her deep commitment to programming that bridges historical and contemporary traditions. Her recent work includes Bach to Black, a celebrated recording series juxtaposing keyboard suites by J.S. Bach with those by Black composers such as Margaret Bonds, Florence Price, and George Walker. The third volume of the series was released on Albany Records earlier this year.
The 2025 Spring Festival features an impressive lineup, including the Gateways Festival Orchestra under the baton of Anthony Parnther. The festival culminates in a return to Carnegie Hall on April 27 with a program centered on folk-inspired works by Antonín Dvořák and William Levi Dawson, alongside the New York premiere of Reflections of Resilience: Five Spirituals, a new commission by Damien Sneed featuring Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges.
Additional highlights include recitals by violinist Curtis Stewart, performances by the Gateways Brass Collective, and educational outreach through the Young Musicians Institute and masterclasses at Carnegie Hall and Harlem School of the Arts.
Read more in Harlem World Magazine: All-Black Orchestra Set To Do Carnegie Hall Takeover.