Ravinia 2026 Issue 2

BRINGINGMUSIC TOYOUNGMINDS We all come to Ravinia to experience live music, and the bene ts go beyond the fun. Numerous studies through the years have examined the connections between music – both listening to it and learning it – and mental health, particularly for children and their developing brains. It’s why Reach Teach Play makes sure that access to music extends to young people, in part through the Guest Artists in the Classroom program, which brings performances from professional musicians directly into schools. Black Moon Trio is an ensemble that appears regularly with the program; already this spring, the threesome of Parker Nelson (horn), Jeremy Vigil (piano), and Khelsey Zarraga (violin) has been busy with Reach Teach Play in Chicago Public Schools and on the Ravinia stages, sharing their vivid style of storytelling with students ahead of their August concerts here (Aug. 2 for adults, Aug. 8 for families). “It’s about different styles of learning. Different kids have different things that get them excited.” —Keith Torgan Green Golly – musical storytelling duo Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel – did the same last fall. “We come to introduce kids to classical music in a very accessible way, a fun way,” Barbara shared with Ravinia. “It’s really supporting kids’ learning.” “It’s about di erent styles of learning,” Keith added. “Di erent kids have di erent things that get them excited. e humanness of music is so natural, and the more vocabulary that kids have, the more … they’re able to communicate in lots of di erent ways.” GREEN GOLLY BLACK MOON TRIO Learn more about Reach Teach Play: RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 33