Pre-Festival Encounters.

Join internationally acclaimed pianists Kate Liu and Kevin Kenner, distinguished Chopin scholar John Rink, and host extraordinaire Ben Laude for an engaging evening of music, conversation, and artistic discovery.

Through live performance and insightful discussion, the panel will explore enduring questions at the heart of musical interpretation: How do performers transform notes on a page into meaningful artistic experiences? What challenges and opportunities arise when approaching Chopin’s music? What constitutes artistry, and how can it be cultivated, taught, and shared?

Drawing on their unique perspectives as performers, educators, and scholars, the artists will offer audiences a rare glimpse into the creative process behind great music-making.

Presented as a special preview of the 2026 Frost Chopin Academy & Festival, this “behind the scenes” event serves as a sampler of the Festival’s rich array of activities, including world-class performances, in-depth discussions of Chopin’s music, open lessons, masterclasses, and interactive workshops.

Whether you are a devoted music lover, a pianist, educator, student, or simply curious about the art of musical expression, this inspiring evening offers an invitation to listen more deeply, think more broadly, and discover new dimensions of Chopin’s enduring legacy.