Solstice Symposium 2026
Classical Guitar & Chamber Music
June 18th – 22nd, 2026

This year’s Solstice Symposium and June Concert series features chamber music with guitars, strings, and woodwinds. Led by Guest Artistic Director Carlos Bedoya, Solstice Symposium 2026 takes place over five days at Candlewood Farm in Higganum, Connecticut, and concludes with the Participants’ Concert in the Captain John Smith Barn. Private lessons, master classes, concerts, presentations and receptions are available to all fully-registered participants. In addition to guitarists, we welcome strings (including mandolinists) and woodwinds to register.

Solstice Symposium 2026 offers expert instruction and performances by Leonela Alejandro, guitar (Puerto Rico), Carlo Aonzo, mandolin (Italy), Pascal Archer, clarinet (Canada/USA), Jan Bartlema, guitar (Netherlands), Joshua Butcher, bassoon (USA), René Izquierdo (Cuba/USA), Emlyn Ngai, violin (USA), Mia Padilla, guitar (Puerto Rico), Jason Vieaux, guitar (USA), and Andrew Zohn, guitar (USA). Jan Bartlema returns to conduct the Guitar Orchestra—a fun, collaborative way to bring together the incredible talent that gathers at Solstice each June.

2026 Symposium Location & Dates:
Candlewood Farm
95 Jacoby Road
Higganum, CT 06441

June 18 – Thursday (day + evening)
June 19 – Friday (day + evening)
June 20 – Saturday (day + evening) ***
June 21 – Sunday (morning + afternoon) ***
June 22 – Monday (morning + afternoon)

June Concerts: programming will be announced shortly.

***Concerts on June 20th and June 21st will be held at United Congregational Church of Haddam and Higganum, 23 Parsonage Rd, Higganum, CT 06441

Parking is available on site. Lunch and dinner are provided for registrants.

For questions concerning accommodations, we can make recommendations; please contact us at arts@candlewoodfarmartsfoundation.org

Registration Fee for Participants:
$300.00 per person (non-refundable). This full registration includes: master classes, private lessons, Guitar Orchestra, all concerts, presentations and receptions, and an invitation to perform in the Participants' Concert (June 22nd).

It is possible to register only for master classes and/or a private lesson, however this partial registration does not include invitations to all concerts and receptions. For details, please contact us at: arts@candlewoodfarmartsfoundation

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The 2026 Solstice Symposium and June Concerts are made possible in part by friends and supporters of Candlewood Farm Arts Foundation.

Candlewood Farm Arts Foundation
P.O. Box 442
Higganum, CT 06441