Grass Valley, CA — Music in the Mountains (MIM) has announced its 2026 concert season, a diverse lineup of classical music experiences featuring internationally acclaimed artists, rising stars, familiar masterworks, and intimate performances in the heart of Nevada County. The season opens on Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. with a recital by pianist and violinist Ray Ushikubo at the Center for the Arts.
At just 24 years old, Ushikubo is already gaining international attention for his rare dual mastery of both piano and violin. He is the only current double major in piano and violin at the Colburn School of Music and was the first student in three decades to pursue that path at the Curtis Institute of Music. His career has taken him to major stages across the country, including appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and even The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
For his Music in the Mountains debut, Ushikubo will perform on two instruments: a Steinway Grand piano and the legendary 1741 “Playfair” Guarneri del Gesù violin, one of the rarest and most celebrated violins in the world. “Every day when I practice, I discover new capabilities of what a violin can do,” said Ushibuko. “I’m understanding the instrument more and more every day and it feels like the instrument understands me more and more every day. It’s mind-blowing.”
Ushikubo derives great pleasure from the emotional aspect of performing with an orchestra and a live audience. “It’s a very powerful moment and a very uniting moment,” he said. “In a world where little differences can divide people, music is one of those things that no matter who you are, you can share the same feeling.” Ushikubo will be performing favorites from Beethoven, Bach, and Chopin, as well as the famously difficult piece for violin: Paganiniana by Milstein. “It’s inspired by Paganini’s Caprice #24, which is one of the hardest works for violin,” said Ushikubo. “Milstein made it even harder.”
The opening concert sets the tone for a wide-ranging 2026 season that continues with the Music in the Mountains Chorus performing the hauntingly beautiful Fauré Requiem in April; Trio Aeris, featuring three performers on the cusp of big careers (Martha Chan, Andrea Caputo, and Chi-Jo Lee), in May; and the 45th annual SummerFest, with Mozart in the Mountains and the return of opera to the MIM stage in the form of Pagliacci, whose brief hour and twenty minute run time might entice the opera-curious to give opera a try.
Additional season highlights include Rimsky-Korsakov’s sweeping Scheherazade, an all-American celebration featuring music by John Williams, genre-bending performances with Rogue Music Project, and of course, the holiday concerts with the full MIM orchestra and chorus.
Tickets for Ray Ushikubo’s March 1 performance are available at musicinthemountains.org.
About Music in the Mountains
Music in the Mountains inspires, engages, and connects the community through extraordinary musical experiences. Presenting world-class artists in intimate settings, the organization offers concerts and educational programs that bring hope, joy, and connection to Nevada County and beyond.