Ravinia 2026 Issue 5

The Alumni Catalyst Fund: Supporting Pioneering Projects in Classical & Jazz Music Ravinia’s Steans Institute has fostered the artistic growth of exceptional young talent for nearly 40 years, paving the way for alumni to become successful performers, educators, and creative ambassadors. Steans is committed to supporting fellows long a er they leave the program, and this summer, a new initiative to amplify alumni’s careers and advance the frontiers of classical and jazz music is making its public debut. e Alumni Catalyst Fund o ers nancial and production resources, as well as performance opportunities, that enable Steans musicians to bring bold, innovative projects to life. Inaugural recipient Karen Ouzounian used the funding to expand her recent project, Mayrig (“mother” in Armenian). is immersive and intimate program is centered on the human voice and rooted in her family’s history. On September 5, Ouzounian and co-creator Lembit Beecher will premiere an enhanced version of the chamber-music project, featuring additional instruments and hand-drawn illustrations. e program explores war, rootedness and uprootedness, resilience and rage, and passion and celebration, themes that are especially relevant in the current landscape. Join us for the matinée performance on September 5 – Karen Ouzounian (2010, 2011, 2014) This is like a dream come true... a truly staggering amount of support in all kinds of ways.” “ —Sara Swain RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 29