Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile will curate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ American Strings: A Tradition of Innovation. The festival of performances, workshops, jam sessions and panel discussions will guide audiences from the origins of string music to the new traditions in the genre.

“Intuitive and learned approaches to music-making have often been considered mutually exclusive, but increasingly, the world’s most exciting music is being made via an amorphous balance thereof, “ said Thile. “American Strings is a celebration of this process, and an exploration of how the music that results might help us cope with, and even enjoy, the dizzying fugue of 21st century life.”

The week-long event is slated for June 20-26 in Washington, DC and will culminate in a performance with Chris Thile and the National Symphony Orchestra. More information and tickets are available here.