Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.
Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.
This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.
Festival Concert Schedule
Aug. 5 Opening Night: McKenzie Warriner and Ying Zhang
Aug. 6 Concert II: Song Hee Lee, Terry Lim and Ying Zhang
Aug.10 Concert III: Jake Dongyoung Shim and Ying Zhang
Aug.11 Concert IV: Luri Lee and David Baik
Aug.14 Concert V: Ariane Cossette and Ying Zhang
Aug.18 Closing Night: SongHa Choi and Ying Zhang
LURI LEE, VIOLIN
“Praised as ‘the perfect chamber music partner’ (Bachtrack), violinist Luri Lee is recognized for her refined artistry, clarity, and expressive depth. She currently serves as Assistant Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with ensembles including the Royal Conservatory Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, with performances across North America, Europe, and Asia.
A founding member of the internationally acclaimed Rolston String Quartet, she is a recipient of major honours including First Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award. The ensemble has performed at leading venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Kennedy Center.
She plays on a Carlo Tononi violin, generously on loan from Shauna Rolston Shaw.
DAVID BAIK, VIOLIN
“David Baik is a violinist devoted to expressing intimate emotions through his instrument and creating a profound connection with his audience. Featured on CBC Music’s 30 Under 30, South Korean-born Baik has received numerous distinctions, including the 2023 Peter-Mendell Award from the Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation, the Grand Prize at the 2021 NAC Bursary Competition, and consecutive First Prizes at the 2016 and 2017 Canadian Music Competition. He is also the recipient of the Sturdevant Prize, the Gerhard Kander Graduating Award, the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Fellowship, and the Gabriella Dory Prize. In 2023, he was named a winner of the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank competition.
Baik earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto under the mentorship of Jonathan Crow. In 2022, he was awarded a fellowship at the Schulich School of Music, where he continued his studies with Andrew Wan.”
For physical events that happen at a specific time. For example a concert, or dance performance. If there are multiple shows, you can still duplicate your event to cover them all.