For our fifth season as an ensemble, OLEA presents “You Are (Not) Alone,” a series of chamber music concerts that use newly commissioned music to engage audiences in reflection on the topics of community and loneliness. In the aftermath of a global pandemic and a divisive election, it is important to acknowledge that loneliness and isolation are normal and, at times, healthy responses to change and fear. However, we can also find solace in community. “You Are (Not) Alone” uses chamber music to explore the dichotomy between community and loneliness and to help audiences navigate the complexity of life today.

We feel that in order to record and reflect the present moment we are in, we must support and perform the works of living composers. Help us raise funds to cover the cost of this season, including six newly commissioned works for our instrumentation!

You Are (Not) Alone Program 1: Inside/Outside

For this program, OLEA explores the dichotomy of community versus loneliness in our society today by situating vocalist Annie McAllister in conversation with our existing chamber ensemble. This unique configuration, with the vocal line sometimes blending and sometimes clashing, will encourage audiences to reflect upon the ways that individuals can be simultaneously isolated from and included in a community. This program features new works by Annie McAllister, Jacy Pedersen, and Shane Scott Cook.

You Are (Not) Alone Program 2: Sounds from Nature

For this program, OLEA explores the human desire to be alone with nature. Being alone in nature allows us to simultaneously feel the peace of being isolated from other people with the comfort of being connected to plants and animals. The program will feature two newly commissioned works to be placed in dialogue with one another. The first commission, by Brad Balliett, will be inspired by bird songs from New England. For the second commission by Owen Hopper, recordings of the natural world as well as Deep Listening™ sessions will be incorporated into an electronic component of the final work. In addition to our personal Deep Listening™ sessions, we will take the audience on their own journey of Deep Listening™ and introspection.

You Are (Not) Alone Program 3: All My Friends

Our season closer brings us full circle with a program celebrating community and friendship. Through our five years playing as an ensemble, the members of OLEA have not only become respected colleagues and collaborators, but also close friends. The music on this program reflects our journey together, beginning with works for solo instruments, building to duos, and ultimately closing with a triumphant trio! This program will feature new music by Christopher Jessup, Theresa Martin, Amanda Harberg, and John Adams.

About OLEA Ensemble

“Not only inspiring, but refreshing” (I Care if You Listen), OLEA builds connections through audience interaction as well as thoughtful selection of repertoire and venue. By emphasizing performance in community gathering spaces, OLEA presents the opportunity for both performer-audience interaction as well as intercommunity dialogue. Founded in 2021, OLEA is dually based in Chicago and Cincinnati, presenting performances in each city every season. Members include Kate Kilgus (clarinet), Alayne Honaker (violin), and Marissa Kerbel (piano). OLEA’s members hold degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University, and Kenyon College.

By presenting music through themes that are universal yet personally relatable, OLEA aims to make classical music and new music relevant to 21st century audiences. In the fall of 2024, OLEA was the Artist in Residence at SOS ART in Cincinnati where they developed a project called “Contemplations on Democracy” which explored the intersection of art and politics, serving as both an interactive musical performance and a Get Out the Vote initiative. For this project, they collaborated with local poets and visual artists to provide a diverse set of perspectives on socio-political issues. Other recent projects include: “Yeehaw: American Folk Traditions” (2024) which incorporated music from traditions such as jazz, Appalachian fiddle, and ragtime; the commission and premier of Owen Hopper’s “Wind Blows Lotus Leaves” (2023) alongside live demonstrations of the Tai Chi movements which inspired the composition; and “Summer Dreams” (2023) which explored the sounds of dreams from a fantastical storyline of a deep sleep to the shimmering texture of a daydream. OLEA has completed residencies at Avaloch Farm Music Institute (2022), the Decoda Chamber Music Festival (2022), and the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute (2025), and has performed at New Music Chicago’s ImpromptuFest (2023) and the Price Hill Music Festival (2023).

Since its inception, the importance of new music and creative collaboration has remained at the center of OLEA’s artistic vision. Through modeling healthy collaboration, OLEA encourages their audience to realize their own bold possibilities. OLEA’s upcoming season will feature several new works commissioned by the ensemble including pieces by Shane Scott Cook, Jacy Pedersen, Owen Hopper, Brad Balliett, and Annie McAllister.

OLEA Ensemble: You Are (Not) Alone

Help us raise funds to commission six new works that will be premiered this season!