Our Mission
Collective Counterpoint is a rotating string ensemble redefining the classical concert experience. Our mission is to create performances that are accessible, inclusive, and rooted in community connection — expanding what classical music can mean today. Through collaboration with diverse artists, commissioning new works, and presenting concerts in welcoming spaces, we celebrate the power of music to bring people together.
Our Story
Collective Counterpoint began in 2021 with the launch of Summer at The Hidden Cafe, an outdoor concert series in Berkeley that transformed a local café courtyard in a public park into a space for neighbors and musicians to share their sound. What started as a weekend project has grown into a platform for new collaborations, commissions, and cultural exchange. Along the way, we’ve partnered with local artists, supported emerging composers, and expanded our programming to reflect the voices of our community.
Our Team
Kana Luzmoor
Kana is a violinist and arts organizer passionate about creating spaces where music feels inclusive. She founded Collective Counterpoint to bridge her own experiences in classical music and cultural identity, and to champion diverse voices through performance and commissioning.
Ryan Villahermosa
Ryan is a conductor, violist, and educator dedicated to shaping intimate and expansive performance experiences. With a background in both traditional and contemporary music, Ryan brings an artist-centered approach to leading Collective Counterpoint projects.
Melissa McGlumphy
Melissa is a violist and educator who supports the ensemble’s programming and logistics. Her work helps bring the details of Collective Counterpoint’s projects to life while keeping the focus on collaboration and artistry.
Our Community
Community is at the heart of Collective Counterpoint. The ensemble collaborates with singer-songwriters to reimagine their music through strings, and supports young and local composers in creating new classical works that reflect today’s stories. Whether as artists, audiences, or supporters, community members are essential to making this work possible.
Past Collaborators
Collective Counterpoint projects also partner with local businesses, cultural organizations, and fellow musicians to create performances that are as much about connection as they are about sound. Past collaborators include:
- The Hidden Cafe
- Dana Jae Audio Collective
- Meo Baaklini Photography
- UC Berkeley Music Department
- Gamelan Sekar Jaya
- The Backroom
- Airship Laboratories Recording Studio
- Asian Pacific Environmental Network
- The Breakaway Swing Dancing
and many more!
Collective Counterpoint 