Ajijic’s cobblestone streets will soon be echoing with the sound of violins, violas and cellos, as the Festival del Lago returns for its ninth season. With more than 70 students enrolled, this year marks the largest and most internationally diverse edition of the festival to date.
Students from across Mexico, Canada, the United States, China, South Korea, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador will arrive on July 27 for two weeks of intensive musical study. Drawn by the opportunity to work closely with internationally acclaimed faculty—many of whom teach at renowned institutions such as Indiana University Bloomington and The Colburn School—participants will focus on both solo performance and chamber music.
“Every year we see students not only grow as musicians, but as people,” said one faculty member. “This is about more than just practicing scales—it’s about collaboration, discipline, and cross-cultural understanding.”
At the heart of the program is chamber music. Students are grouped into ensembles—most commonly string quartets—and assigned major works from the classical repertoire. Arriving with their parts already learned, they dive immediately into coachings and rehearsals, many practicing three to four hours daily with their groups.
The festival also offers a series of eight public masterclasses. These sessions allow students to play for faculty outside of their private teachers and gain valuable new insights, while giving fellow students a chance to learn by observing the feedback and teaching process.
Beyond the musical rigor, Festival del Lago is known for its community spirit. A network of local residents opens their homes each year to house students, a tradition that has been successfully led by Carol-Lee Gordon since the festival’s inception. This year marks her final season before passing the reins to Monica Powers, who has already proven to be a capable and committed new director.
The generosity doesn’t stop there. Bethany Putnam, owner of Hotel 360 XQMX—a year-round artist residency—has donated her entire 10-room hotel for the duration of the festival to house 17 highly gifted young musicians between the ages of 12 and 16.
Public performances are a key component of the festival experience. In addition to seven student concerts (open to hosts, patrons, and participants), there will be six Master Series Concerts featuring top student ensembles alongside faculty artists. Tickets can be purchased at Hotel La Nueva Posada, Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and for the Grand Finale Concert on August 10 at the Auditorio de la Ribera box office, Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Festival del Lago continues to be one of the region’s most inspiring cultural events, blending rigorous artistic training with a uniquely warm and collaborative atmosphere.