K2 Duo

Khelsey Zarraga and Kari Novilla are Chicago-based multi-genre artists dedicated to expanding the boundaries of classical music through innovation, community engagement, and a commitment to inclusivity. Khelsey, a violinist of African American and Venezuelan descent, brings her expertise as an improviser, arranger, and social justice advocate — having collaborated with celebrated artists such as Jamila Woods, Silkroad Ensemble, and Nathalie Joachim, and performed across Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Kari, a harpist who holds her Masters with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music in London, is the newly appointed Fellow and Principal Harpist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and has performed as a soloist at the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall, and with orchestras across the United States and Europe. Together, they bring a rich breadth of classical, jazz, and contemporary experience to their work, championing diversity and reaching new audiences both locally and internationally.

This is a…