LearnQuest Music Festival Continues at Regis College in Weston with Full Weekend of Performances
WESTON, MA — Following an opening night at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the 18th Annual LearnQuest Music Festival moves into its main weekend programming at Regis College, where audiences can experience two full days of Indian classical music.
The festival, one of the premier showcases of Indian classical traditions in the United States, continues on Saturday, April 4, from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday, April 5, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, bringing an immersive lineup of performances to the Regis College Auditorium.
After Friday evening’s kickoff in Cambridge, the festival now shifts into its signature format—daylong concerts featuring a diverse roster of acclaimed artists representing both Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions.
A Weekend Immersion in Indian Classical Music
The weekend programming offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Indian classical music in one setting.
Hindustani (North Indian) classical music is known for its improvisational depth, expressive ragas, and intricate rhythms, often performed on instruments such as the sitar, sarod, bansuri, and tabla. Carnatic (South Indian) music, by contrast, emphasizes structured compositions, complex rhythmic patterns, and virtuosic improvisation, typically featuring instruments like the violin, veena, mridangam, and kanjira.
By bringing these two rich traditions together, the LearnQuest Music Festival creates a unique cultural experience that is rarely presented in a single U.S. venue.
A Cultural Tradition in New England
Now in its 18th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural calendar. Organized by the LearnQuest Academy of Music, it has built a national reputation for presenting world-class musicians alongside emerging talent, drawing audiences from across New England and beyond.
The move to Regis College for the weekend reflects the scale and scope of the event, offering a dedicated space for extended performances, deeper audience engagement, and a continuous flow of music throughout the day.
Building on a Strong Opening Night
The festival opened Friday at MIT with a dynamic inaugural concert featuring a rare percussion ensemble led by maestros Pandit Arup Chattopadhyay, V. Selvaganesh, and Sai Raghavan, followed by a surbahar and sitar duet by Pandit Sugato Nag and Chattopadhyay.
That momentum now carries into the weekend, where attendees can expect a rich blend of solo recitals, duets, and ensemble performances spanning both classical traditions.
A Weekend of Music, Community, and Tradition
Beyond the performances, the festival serves as a gathering point for musicians, students, and cultural enthusiasts, reinforcing its mission to preserve and promote Indian classical music in the United States.
As the festival unfolds at Regis College through Sunday evening, it continues to transform the Greater Boston area into a vibrant hub of global musical expression—celebrating tradition, innovation, and the timeless power of live performance.
