Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
If you think Caramoor is only for classical music lovers, think again. With five performance venues and two all-day summer festivals (Jazz Fest and American Roots), Caramoor aims to showcase a broad and diverse variety of musicians and genres from well-established to rising stars, different ages and genders, and musical acts from around the world. Last year’s lineup, for example, included the vocal group Roomful of Teeth, Cuba’s Kiki Valera, Cajun music group Lost Bayou Ramblers and Sandbox Percussion, along with household names like Wynton Marsalis and Sutton Foster.
Caramoor describes their audience as “cultural omnivores” because they’re interested in a variety of enriching cultural experiences, ranging from concerts and afternoon tea to touring the Rosen House and exploring their stunning grounds. Open to the public since 1945, Caramoor also mentors young professional musicians, provides educational programs for students in our area and partners with local organizations.
Our Advice
Arrive 30 minutes early to check out Sonic Innovations, their large-scale musical installations and sculptures throughout their grounds. The giant “C” with 24 metal bell chimes at the entrance is the obvious one, but there’s also a handmade white oak rocking chair that activates speakers in the trees when you sit and rock, a beyond-repair piano you might still be able to play and more.
Runner-up: Yorktown Stage, Yorktown
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
