WoCo Fest 2025: Uplift

The annual WoCo Fest, presented by Boulanger Initiative in partnership with Strathmore since 2019, is a weekend-long celebration of music by gender-marginalized composers, including non-binary and trans folks—voices historically excluded from classical and contemporary music. Held at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, MD, the festival features performances, workshops, and panel discussions, drawing an enthusiastic audience in support of BI’s mission. This year’s theme, Uplift, aims to elevate voices and foster a sense of community, recognizing the importance of coming together to support and celebrate one another in solidarity—especially in the face of the increasing transphobia, anti-DEI, and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric displayed by leaders in our country. Now more than ever, we need spaces that affirm and empower our community.