Music Programs

The Power of Music

Music programs have been the foundation of Heights Arts since the first summer concert in 2000. We celebrate the robust talent and exceptional musicians in Northeast Ohio – offering a variety of opportunities to connect, engage, and experience this art form in new ways.

“When you attend concerts at Heights Arts, our other supported disciplines enrich your experience – whether viewing the current exhibition during a Gallery Concert or listening to concurrent live poetry an ARTbar show. The Close Encounters series is the crowning touch with intimate chamber music in the city’s most stunning private homes and local venues.” – Rachel Bernstein, Executive Director

Join us for the 20th Anniversary Close Encounters Season!

Tickets now on sale

Close Encounters Performances

This highly popular Sunday afternoon chamber music series features members of The Cleveland Orchestra and other world-class performers. Presented in intimate settings, such as historic homes and unique local venues, these concerts offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience exceptional music in intimate, inspiring settings.

Gallery Concerts

Heights Arts brings a dynamic mix of musical genres to our gallery, showcasing the exceptional talent of local musicians. At the heart of this program is our commitment to supporting Northeast Ohio artists by providing paid opportunities to share their music with the community.

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Arrive early and experience the rotating exhibitions in the gallery or explore locally made goods in our store.

ARTbar: Music and Cocktails

Launched in 2022, ARTbar transforms the Heights Arts gallery into an intimate cocktail lounge, where guests can enjoy dynamic music performances across genres — from jazz and Latin to spoken word — alongside curated cocktails and rotating exhibitions of local art.

The first ARTbar featured Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate Ray McNiece and Sounds of Jazz, whose dynamic performance blended jazz with improvised poetry. The program was a wild success and propelled forward with fiery Latin jazz by Jackie Warren, Sammy DeLeon, and Patricia Bussert. ARTbar continues to elevate the standard for concert experiences by offering quality events surrounded by Cleveland area art.

  • January 28, 2027:  J.J. Vicars and The Desiatos
  • June 10, 2027: Global Connections

Community Partner Concerts

As a non-profit committed to connecting arts and community, Heights Arts often partners with No Exit, Future Heights Community Development Corporation, the City of Cleveland Heights, and others to help remove barriers to access local music that showcases the exceptional talent living in and around Northeast Ohio.

Call for Musicians

Heights Arts provides a unique setting for live music: the acoustics are warm, the audience is close, and the surrounding artwork creates a rich, multi-sensory experience.

If you are a professional ensemble of any genre in Northeast Ohio, we welcome your application to perform in the Heights Arts Gallery Concert or ARTbar series.

Upcoming Music Events

Gallery Concert with Kirsten Docter and the Pandan String Quartet
Music

Gallery Concert with Kirsten Docter and the Pandan String Quartet

Saturday 10/3/26
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Heights Arts Gallery Concerts feature performances celebrating varied genres in our main gallery on Lee Road. Showcasing the talent of our Northeast Ohio musicians and offering them paid opportunities to share their gifts with the community is a core value. Free to all, these performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and offer open seating. Come a bit early and enjoy what’s on view in our gallery, or browse art and crafts from local artists in our store. Pandan Quartet with Kirsten Docter - Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 7:00-8:30pm The Pandan String Quartet joins violist Kirsten Docter, Associate Professor of Viola at Oberlin and former member of the Cleveland-based Cavani String Quartet, for a program featuring Haydn “Sunrise” quartet, Dvorak “American” quintet, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate's Pisachi ("Reveal").
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Close Encounters: Amy Lee and Friends
Music

Close Encounters: Amy Lee and Friends

Sunday 10/18/26
3:00pm
Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, celebrating its 20th anniversary season. The first concert features performers Amy Lee, violin; Johanna Zakany, violin; Si Yan Lee, cello; and Yaron Kohlberg, piano. Address will be provided to ticketholders. Mozart: Duo for Violin and Viola in G Major, K 423 I. Allegro II. Adagio III. Rondeau: Allegro Bohuslav Martinů: Duo No.2 for violin and viola I. Allegro II. Lento III. Allegro (poco) Intermission Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 I. Allegro II. Intermezzo: Allegro ma non troppo — Trio: Animato III. Andante con moto IV. Rondo alla Zingarese: Presto Thank you to our hosts Charlie and Rachel Rawson, the Close Encounters Season Sponsor, Michael Frank, Concert Sponsor: Margie Simon and this event's dessert sponsor, Luna Bakery.
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Open Rehearsal: The Bryden Chamber Players
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Open Rehearsal: The Bryden Chamber Players

Tuesday 2/23/27
6:00pm
Open Rehearsal: The Bryden Chamber Players rehearse "Celebrating Schubert: His Life in Letters and Music" Heights Arts presents a rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance.   Performers: Kim Gomez, violin; Amber Dimoff, violin; Lisa Boyko, viola; Robert Nicholson, cello.
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Close Encounters: Celebrating Schubert - His Life in Letters & Music
Music

Close Encounters: Celebrating Schubert - His Life in Letters & Music

Sunday 2/28/27
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, celebrating its 20th anniversary season. The second concert features features performers Kim Gomez, violin; Amber Dimoff, violin; Lisa Boyko, viola; Robert Nicholson, cello. The Bryden Chamber Players perform Franz Schubert's epic G-Major Quartet and share the composer's story via letters and contemporary accounts. The program will also include the Quartettsatz and a sampling of Schubert’s beloved Lieder.   Franz Schubert: Quartet No. 12 in c-minor (Quartett-Satz) I. Allegro assai Franz Schubert: Quartet No. 13 in a-minor, Op. 29 (Rosamunde) II. Andante INTERMISSION Franz Schubert: Quartet No. 15 in G-major, Op. 161 I. Allegro molto moderato II. Andante un poco moto III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Allegretto IV. Allegro assai   Thank you to the Close Encounters Season Sponsor, Michael Frank, Concert Sponsor: Bill Stigelman, and this event's Dessert Sponsor, Luna Bakery.  
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Close Encounters: Omni Quartet and Friends - Music for Flute, Oboe, and String Quartet
Music

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet and Friends - Music for Flute, Oboe, and String Quartet

Sunday 4/25/27
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, celebrating its 20th anniversary season. The third concert features features performers Joshua Smith, flute; Frank Rosenwein, oboe; Amy Lee, violin; Alicia Koelz, violin; Johanna Zakany, viola; Tanya Ell, cello. PROGRAM: Gordon Jacob Quartet for oboe, violin, viola, cello (1938) I. Allegro moderato II. Scherzo: Allegro moderato III. Andante semplice IV. Rondo: Allegro molto Thea Musgrave Impromptu No. 1 for flute and oboe (1967) Amy Beach Theme and Variations for Flute and String Quartet, Op. 80 (1916) Theme: Lento di molto, sempre espressivo Variation 1: L’istesso tempo Variation 2: Allegro giusto Variation 3: Andantino con morbidezza Variation 4: Presto leggiero Variation 5: Largo di molto, con grand’ espressione Variation 6: Allegro giocoso INTERMISSION Leoš Janáček String Quartet No. 2 (1928), “Intimate Letters” I. Andante II. Adagio III. Moderato IV. Allegro   Thank you to the our hosts: Charlie and Rachel Rawson, Close Encounters Season Sponsor, Michael Frank, and this event's Dessert Sponsor, Luna Bakery.
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Close Encounters: Dvořák & Fauré: Voices of Romantic Chamber Music
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Close Encounters: Dvořák & Fauré: Voices of Romantic Chamber Music

Sunday 5/23/27
3:00pm
Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, celebrating its 20th anniversary season. The fourth concert features performers Joel Link, violin; Amy Lee, violin; Joanna Zakany, viola; Paul Kushious, cello;  Hannah Han, piano.   Antonín Dvořák String Quartet No. 14 in A-flat major, Op. 105 Adagio ma non troppo — Allegro appassionato Molto vivace Lento e molto cantabile Allegro non tanto Intermission Gabriel Fauré Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 i. Allegro molto moderato ii. Scherzo: Allegro vivo iii. Adagio iv. Allegro molto   Concert Sponsor: Robin Dunn Blossom in memory of Jaymi Blossom Feeney, Close Encounters Season Sponsor: Michael Frank, Dessert Sponsor: Luna Bakery
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