“Merit isn’t just where we learned music—it’s where we found our people, our community, our home. And no matter where life takes us, that connection remains.”
When Clarisssa Bevilacqua was just six years old, her family moved from Italy to Chicago, and she found herself in a new country where she barely spoke English. But music became her universal language—and Merit became her home.
Finding Her People
“It was kind of like finding my people,” Clarissa recalls about her early days at Merit. Starting in the Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory when she was eight, those Saturday mornings quickly became the highlight of her week. While her peers at school didn’t quite understand her big dreams of becoming a professional violinist, at Merit she found a community that just got it. There, she wasn’t the odd one out—she was home. “I felt safe there. I felt like I could really be myself and explore my artistry.”
And it was at Merit where she found something even more precious: her best friend, Carly Ryan (née Zarate). “I found my best friend in the world, like, still friends to this day,” she shares with evident warmth. “I was maid of honor at her wedding this past May. We’ve been friends for almost 14 years now!”
Where She Is Now
Today, Clarissa’s life looks like something out of a dream—though it’s one built on years of dedication and practice. Based in Berlin with international management and a record label contract, she travels constantly to perform around the globe. “I just flew back two days ago from Hong Kong, and then I had a concert yesterday in Milan. And now I’m in Berlin, and tomorrow I’m going to Egypt,” she laughs. “That’s like a basic normal week.” Her new album, Mozartiana, dropped March 6, and she’s bringing her artistic vision full circle in a way that honors her Merit roots.
And, if recording and travel didn’t keep her busy enough, four years ago, Clarissa founded Dynamic Fest based in Salzburg, creating opportunities for emerging artists under 30—the kind of platform she wished existed when she was finding her way. The festival has become the only chamber music festival in Salzburg dedicated solely to young artists, and it’s achieved something remarkable: 40% of their audience is under 30.
As Clarissa prepares to now bring her festival to Chicago next year, she’s not just returning as a visiting artist. She’s returning as family, doing what Merit alums do: creating opportunities, building bridges, and making sure the next generation feels the same sense of belonging she found on those Saturday mornings.
Clarissa’s new album Mozartiana just released March 6, 2026 and is available on Spotify or Apple Music. Dynamic Fest Chicago is planned for 2026.
Stay Connected!
Want to get involved or stay connected with other Merit alumni? We’d love to hear from you—because this is your home too.
