State Theatre New Jersey presents their annual Classical Season Celebration on October 15th

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/10/2026

Violinist Christina Bouey

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey celebrates the power of classical performance with the annual Classical Season Celebration on Thursday, October 15, 2026. This year's event will take place in STNJ's intimate Studio space with a performance featuring internationally acclaimed violinist Christina Bouey and award-winning pianist Yoon Lee entirely lit by candlelight.

"Our Classical Season Celebration is a wonderfully special event for us. It's a moment when we not only honor the timeless brilliance of classical music, but also celebrate the vibrant community of supporters, artists, and patrons who make it all possible. We are thrilled to gather once again to champion extraordinary live music and to sustain our classical performances and arts education initiatives throughout the year," says Sarah Chaplin, State Theatre New Jersey President & CEO.

The Classical Season Celebration, which takes place from 6:00pm-8:30pm, opens with a cocktail reception followed by an intimate candlelit concert—bringing music lovers together for a unique experience to celebrate over 37 years of State Theatre New Jersey's diverse and robust classical programming.

The Classical Season Celebration supports the continued success of their year-round classical and educational programming, including our Symphony Scholars program with the New Brunswick Public School District, Edison High School, and SpeakMusic Conservatory—which are key elements of their work to provide access to live arts experiences for all in the community.

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Classical Season tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at STNJ.org/CSC or call 732-247-7200, ext. 512 for more information.

About the Artists

Canadian/American violinist Christina Bouey has been hailed for her artistry by leading critics, including the New York Times, which praised her playing as "beautiful," and the New York Post, which wrote, "When violinist Christina Bouey spun out that shimmering tune, I thought I died and went to heaven." Most recently, Bouey won First Prize at the Waldo Mayo Violin Competition, resulting in her concerto debut at Carnegie Hall. Her many honors include the Grand Prize at the Fischoff Competition and the Vietnam International Chamber Competition. She has performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Dr. Yoon Lee is a concert pianist, educator, and director whose performances have been praised by the New York Concert Review as "equal to Beethoven's virtuosic demands." A Special Prize winner of the Anton G. Rubinstein International Piano Competition, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and major venues across the United States, Europe, and Asia. A passionate champion of the repertoire for strings and piano, Lee has collaborated with distinguished artists and members of renowned ensembles including the Juilliard, Borromeo, and Orion String Quartets.

State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS chose the theater as the first performing arts organization to be featured in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.

Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.

State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.