KARI NOVILLA
HARPIST
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Music as a doorway
Using the harp and collaborative storytelling to widen access to classical music — and to honor voices that deserve to be heard.
COMING UP
FRIDAY MAY 8TH, 2026 AT 7PM
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AT COLLABORACTION THEATRE COMPANY
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FREE ADMISSION
1757 NORTH KIMBALL AVE #105
CHICAGO, IL 60647
About Chamber of Change
Chamber of Change brings together formerly incarcerated individuals to compose and perform original rap pieces built on the harmonic foundations of classical music — transforming classical works into deeply personal stories told in their own voice. Participants are guided through songwriting and mentorship to craft lyrics drawn from their own experiences, culminating in a live performance alongside a fusion ensemble of classical, jazz, and hip-hop artists. The result is a concert that is equal parts artistic collaboration and community act — music that bridges worlds and insists on the humanity of every person on stage.
As an artist and advocate, my mission for this project is to empower formerly incarcerated individuals through the transformative and healing power of music. This project is a testament to the belief that everyone - regardless of past circumstances - has a story worth sharing and that these stories can inspire, heal, and build bridges within our community. The workshops, mentorship hours, and performance at the heart of this project serve as both a sanctuary and a laboratory: a place for participants to explore, collaborate, and transform famous classical pieces into their own personalized compositions.
Workshop One
Introductions, storytelling, and matching participants to classical pieces that will frame their compositions.
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2026 COLLABORATORS
First
Chamber
of
Change
WITH NONPROFIT PARTNER
UCAN (Uhlich Children's Advantage Network )
The inaugural concert partnered with UCAN -Uhlich Children's Advantage Network founded 1869, serving 9,100+ individuals annually across Illinois. Alongside UCAN's FLIP Program, the concert was presented by the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at UCAN's facility on June 5th, 2025. The first Chamber of Change project brought together participants from UCAN's FLIP program — individuals who are formerly incarcerated or have histories of misconduct, now serving as community peace-keepers in Chicago's most vulnerable neighborhoods. They partnered with jazz and classical musicians to compose and write their anthems. Participants showed increased confidence, artistic ownership, and a deep commitment to collaboration.