Night 2 of the 2025 New Directions Cello Festival opens with the lush classically-tinged indie-pop stylings of Takénobu (recommended for fans of Andrew Bird and Bon Iver) followed by the experimental and improvisational explorations of songwriter, composer and recent Guggenheim fellow Theresa Wong.  Closing the evening will be the incredible Hindustani cello playing (yes, it's a thing!) of Brattleboro native Jake Charkey, who will play a mixture of traditional North Indian classical music and modern pieces for cello and tabla.  Check out the videos below to hear the music from these three amazing artists/projects.

Since its inception at New York City’s Knitting Factory in 1995, the New Directions Cello Festival has provided an international forum for the exchange of music and ideas for creative and alternative cellists of all ages, levels and backgrounds. With a “big tent” ethos, New Directions embraces all styles of music, particularly those not commonly taught at conservatories and music schools and especially those that incorporate improvisation. Cellist participants come from all over the US and abroad for a weekend of workshops, concerts, panels and jam sessions with some of the most innovative cellists working today.

Saturday 6/28

7pm: Takénobu
8pm: Theresa Wong
9pm: Jake Charkey