History and Mission

The Lake Lure Music Festival (LLMF) was created to bring dynamic world class music to Lake Lure and the great Hickory Nut Gorge.  From internationally recognized classical musicians who have played with the New York Philharmonic and London Symphony, and many others, and at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, to Broadway musical stars.  The LLMF is producing artistic programs with a level of musicianship rarely seen in Western North Carolina.

In 2019, the LLMF brought renowned classical musicians Chee-Yun violinist, Mark Nuccio clarinetist and Scott Cuellar pianist to Lake Lure for an extraordinary evening of music and storytelling followed by a celebratory dinner at the Lake Lure Inn.  Nearly 300 people attended the concert, with ticket buyers not only from our local towns, but also from cities such as Charlotte, Greensboro, Steamboat Springs, CO, New York, and many others, who not only enjoyed the concert but came to stay and experience Lake Lure.

The LLMF and its partners were able to provide a unique experience for our peerless artist that has helped establish Lake Lure as a beautiful and welcoming destination for the arts. 

The LLMF is establishing strong ties to the local community.  Working with the Lake Lure Community Education Foundation, the LLMF dedicated all its net proceeds in 2019 to the Lake Lure Classical Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, to help further the mission of the school.   In 2022, we continued our strong commitment to organizations that benefit and enhance the lives of those living in the Hickory Nut Gorge.