Emerald City Music Marks 10 Years

Emerald City Music is celebrating its 10th season with a joyful milestone and a festive season opener featuring harp, clarinet, and the Seattle premiere of Charles Loeffler’s long-lost Octet. Founded with a daring vision to make classical chamber music approachable, social, and rooted in community, ECM has become a cultural cornerstone in South Lake Union. Over the past decade, the organization has redefined what classical performance can be—welcoming, immersive, and alive with creative energy.

Artistic Director Kristin Lee reflects on ECM’s journey, the performances that shaped its identity, and the vibrant future ahead for both the organization and the Pacific Northwest’s casual-classical movement.

Discover SLU: Emerald City Music is celebrating 10 years—what does this milestone mean to the organization?

Kristin Lee: It’s truly incredible to see Emerald City Music step into its tenth season. Emerald City Music began with a very specific dream to be the first music organization in South Lake Union that offers approachable, casual, and social music experience. This dream was a daring one that didn’t follow the traditional footsteps of most classical chamber music organizations. And ten years later, here we are seeing that this idea and mission resonated with so many people! We are incredibly proud that ECM is now a rooted musical community in South Lake Union. This mark of ten years is not only a milestone worth celebrating but also a powerful testament to the exciting future that lies ahead.

DSLU: Looking back, what moments or performances over the past decade stand out as most transformative for ECM?

KL: Two performances immediately come to mind. First, Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. In March of 2019, we presented two back-to-back performances of this hour-long work. Both shows were packed at our flagship venue, 415 On Westlake, with 18 musicians, 4 grand pianos, multiple percussion instruments and over 200 audience members sitting, standing, roaming around, immersed in the music. It was so memorable that this performance still come up in our conversations with audience members!

In 2022, we presented the winners of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano competition alongside world renowned pianist, Wu Han. These are some of the most talented pianists in the world, used to playing for thousands of people with an orchestra. We brought them to our unique, unconventional, but very intimate space at 415 On Westlake where they gave a stunning performance of music for solo and two pianos. You could tell that the pianists were really feeding off the crowd. Two pianos in an intimate space can be overwhelming, but they were equally matched by the borderline raucous energy of the audience who was captivated by the music- something rare to see in a classical music performance!

DSLU: The season opener features the Seattle premiere of Charles Loeffler’s recently discovered Octet. Why was this piece chosen, and what makes it significant for ECM audiences?

KL: I learned about Charles Loeffler’s recently discovered Octet through Graeme Steele Johnson, a wonderful clarinetist who is a dear colleague. He came across the manuscript of this work at the Library of Congress a few years ago and took on the dedicated task of piecing it back together. Though relatively unknown today, Charles Loeffler was one of the most well-known artists of his time as a violinist and composer back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

I chose this work as the centerpiece of our 10th anniversary’s opening night program because it embodies the timelessness of music across the past, present, and future. Written 128 years ago yet being heard by our audience for the very first time, it reminds us that there is always more to discover in music, waiting to move us, surprise us, and to stir our emotions in unforgettable ways. This is the power of music, and it is the very reason Emerald City Music continues to thrive.

DSLU: How has South Lake Union—and specifically, 415 Westlake—shaped ECM’s identity and growth?

KL: From the very beginning, 415 On Westlake has been our steadfast partner. Bringing music to South Lake Union was at the heart of Emerald City Music’s vision from day one, and discovering 415 On Westlake was one of the greatest gifts in making that dream a reality.

This space is now an important part of our identity because of its industrial charm, versatility, and welcoming atmosphere that embodies the spirit of Emerald City Music. Our partnership with the incredible team at 415 On Westlake has been vital to our growth and sustainability over the past ten years. We can’t imagine ECM being here today without their partnership!

DSLU: As you look ahead to the next 10 years, what is the vision for Emerald City Music and classical music in the PNW?

KL: We are incredibly proud that our mission to bring a more casual, welcoming classical music movement has taken root in the Northwest over the past ten years! Now that ECM is here to stay, our vision for the future is to serve our community in the most meaningful ways music can offer. We dream to bring music to places where it is rarely heard, introduce music to the next generation for aspirations, and fill our stage with performances that are truly accessible.

Equally, we believe in celebrating good music and not define them by the genres. We want to continue to challenge the traditions by creating space where all forms of music can be embraced. This is the spirit that will guide ECM into its next decade.

Looking Ahead

Ten years in, Emerald City Music continues to thrive as a space where musicians and audiences connect in meaningful, transformative ways. With a steadfast home at 415 Westlake and a mission that celebrates both discovery and inclusivity, ECM enters its next decade poised to push boundaries, inspire new listeners, and keep the spirit of live music alive in South Lake Union and beyond.

Single tickets are now on sale for ECM’s 10th season. Check out the show calendar to find tickets for artists like Aeolus Quartet, The Westerlies, Mikaela Bennet, and more.