An Evening of Elegance: A Lake Michigan Summer Soirée
Montague, MI — The White Lake Chamber Music Festival is excited to announce its upcoming Summer Soirée, a special fundraising event to support the 17th annual White Lake Chamber Music Festival, taking place July 16–25, 2026.
This elegant evening will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 6:30 PM at the beautiful Lake Michigan home of Harold and Barbara Wheaton. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, coffee, desserts, and an exclusive performance by acclaimed flutist Yukie Ota and harpist Elizabeth Colpean—all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the lakeshore.
Tickets are $65 and include food, beverages, and world-class music in an intimate setting. Seating is limited, and advance purchase is required. Tickets are available at the Book Nook & Java Shop (8744 Ferry St., Montague, 231-894-5333) and online at whitelakemusic.eventbrite.com.
Japanese-born flutist Yukie Ota gained international recognition as Second Prize winner at the Carl Nielsen International Flute Competition, where a butterfly landing on her face during her performance earned her the nickname “Madame Butterfly.” In 2025, she was appointed Assistant Principal/Second Flute of the Grand Rapids Symphony. She has also served as Principal Flute of the Kalamazoo and Peoria Symphony Orchestras. As an orchestral musician Yukie is invited as a guest artist with renowned ensembles across North America, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Japan Tour 2016). In Japan, she has performed with major orchestras such as the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra.
Elizabeth “Beth” Colpean is the Principal Harpist of the Grand Rapids Symphony since 2000. She has participated in several national and international music festivals including, The Pacific Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Festival, the Seventh World Harp Congress, Peninsula Music Festival, Bellingham Festival of Music, and is Principal Harpist of the Baroque on Beaver Music Festival. In addition, Beth performed in a distinguished alumni concert at Tanglewood during their acclaimed Festival of Contemporary Music as well as performed at the American Harp Society conference in a two-harp recital with her mother.
Tickets are available at Book Nook & Java Shop (8744 Ferry St., Montague) or online at whitelakemusic.org
All proceeds from the evening will directly support the 2026 Festival, helping to underwrite performances, artist residencies, and educational outreach programs throughout the White Lake area.
For more information, please call 231-329-3056 or visit www.whitelakemusic.org