Women in Music Festival 2025

The Nazareth University School of Music is hosting its third Women in Music Festival in March to celebrate the artistry of women composers. This festival includes concerts and panel discussions, all of which will serve as a catalyst for purposeful dialogue, future collaborations, and engaging performances for our Rochester and Buffalo communities.

Women in Music Festival 2025
taking place at Nazareth University & Buffalo State University

Director and Founder: Dr. Bonnie Choi
Buffalo Coordinator: Dr. Holly Bewlay

All the events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Bonnie Choi (bchoi6@naz.edu).

FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2025

Thursday, March 7  
12:10 - 1 pm | Student Concert
Wilmot Recital Hall, Nazareth
Student Performances of Works by Women Composers  

Friday, March 8
11 am-Noon | Panel Discussion

A-183, Nazareth
Representation of Women in the Arts

7:30 pm | Concert with Guest Performers 
Ciminelli Recital Hall, Buffalo State
Performance by students and faculty from SUNY Buffalo State, Eastman School of Music, Nazareth University, SUNY Onondaga Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology

6-7:30 pm | Concert with Guest Performers
Wilmot Recital Hall, Nazareth
featuring works by  

Performance by students and faculty from SUNY Buffalo State, Eastman School of Music, Nazareth University, SUNY Onondaga Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology


Sunday, March 10 

2:15 p.m. | Pre-concert Talk
3:00 p.m. | Concert

Beston Hall, GMPC, Nazareth
Festival Concert: in the Company of Women
Nazareth School of Music faculty  
Mona Seghatoleslami, MC

Performances by Nazareth University School of Music faculty  

2:30-3:45 p.m. | Forum and Discussion
Ciminelli Recital Hall, Buffalo State
Holly Bewlay, Moderator
Ellen Barnum,
Dr. Carolyn Guzski
Dr. Tiffany Nicely

4:00 p.m. | Concert
Ciminelli Recital Hall, Buffalo State
Women In Music Festival @Buffalo State
Buffalo State University Faculty Showcase
Tickets required: $10 


Sunday, March 24
3:00 p.m. | Concert
George Eastman Museum
Nazareth School of Music faculty and students


Wednesday, March 27 
12:10 p.m. | Concert
The Hochstein School
Live from Hochstein: In the Company of Women: Celebrating the Artistry of Women Composers


This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of The Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.” 

The events at Nazareth University are also co-sponsored by the School of Music, the Office for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Education, Weider Community Engagement Office, the Center for Spirituality, Women and Gender Studies, Naz Composition Club, and the Intersectional Feminist Alliance.

The events at SUNY Buffalo State University is sponsored by the Music Department.