From playing a duet with Lizzo to performing at the new Barack Obama Presidential Center to taking the stage at Lollapalooza, this summer will be one to remember for 17-year-old Kaylee Johnson. While many students spend the months between high school and college preparing for what comes next, this 2026 Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory graduate and Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) fellow was busy preparing for a series of extraordinary and unforgettable performance opportunities.
Sharing the Stage with Lizzo at Ravinia
On July 11, Kaylee had the opportunity to perform the “Flower Duet” from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé with Lizzo and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the newly renovated Hunter Pavilion for the Ravinia Festival’s opening concert.
“I was very excited and honored for the opportunity to perform a beautiful duet with Lizzo alongside Marin Alsop and the CSO,” Kaylee says. “I felt very prepared but a little nervous because I have never worked with such a famous artist before, and I also have never performed with the CSO, so I wanted to make sure I was making a good impression!”
Performing at this concert represents a full-circle moment for Kaylee, who started playing flute in 4th grade through Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play program. Her continued connection with Ravinia brought about this incredible opportunity.
The day before the concert, Kaylee had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the conductor, the legendary Marin Alsop, to talk about the piece and review the music together.
Throughout the day of the concert, Kaylee got an insider look at the way a major professional production is put together. “I got to see the behind-the-scenes of Lizzo’s team helping her,” she says. “I got to sit backstage listening to the soundchecks; it was just really nice to hear the CSO play on the new stage.” This experience gave her invaluable insight into how professionals prepare, collaborate, and perform at the highest level.
After the concert ended, Kaylee realized she hadn’t taken a photo with Lizzo. Nervously, she approached her with the request, expecting to only take a photo together. However, Lizzo countered her request and suggested that they film a TikTok together in addition to the pictures, creating a moment that quickly spread across social media.
Preparing for What's Next Through CMPI
As if playing with Lizzo wasn’t enough of a milestone, Kaylee had another extraordinary opportunity this summer as a CMPI fellow: performing at the newly opened Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Kaylee, alongside fellow CMPI musicians Jazmyn Irons and Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, performed in the lobby while guests arrived before the Chicago Philharmonic‘s inaugural concert in the space. They also had the chance to tour the backstage area and watch professional musicians prepare before the three fellows joined the audience to enjoy the concert.
As a CMPI fellow, Kaylee has benefited from a wide range of performance opportunities, mentorship experiences, and professional development opportunities. Through CMPI, she has worked with renowned musicians including Jennifer Gunn and Demarre McGill. “[Demarre McGill] really helped me play into the music and be more of a character instead of just playing the notes,” she says, noting that these experiences profoundly shaped her as a performer.
Closing Out the Summer Performing at Lollapalooza
Before Kaylee departs to study flute performance at the prestigious Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University on a full scholarship she has one more big show lined up in Chicago this summer: on August 1, Kaylee will perform at Lollapalooza with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.
She’s thrilled to be back after performing with the ensemble at last year’s festival. “People are just so excited at Lollapalooza,” says Kaylee. “I didn’t really expect that there would be that many people to watch an orchestra when there are so many different other huge artists performing too, but we had so many people cheering us on in the audience. I can’t wait to play this year.”
Finding Community and Confidence at Merit
Kaylee’s Merit journey began as a freshman when her flute teacher at ChiArts encouraged her to audition for the Conservatory. Not only was she accepted, she was also selected for the Purple Hippopotami (the Hippos), Merit’s chamber flute ensemble that travels to competitions around the country–a notable accomplishment for a freshman!
Kaylee cites her time spent rehearsing, travelling, competing, and performing with the Hippos as one of the highlights of her time at Merit. The camaraderie from spending hours learning music with close friends who push each other artistically was every bit as meaningful as the competitions themselves. “The rehearsals were definitely the highlight,” she says. “We were all pretty good friends, and it was really fun playing the music together.”
Learn more about the Purple Hippopotami →
Throughout high school, Kaylee was actively involved in Merit’s Conservatory, playing at an advanced level and serving as a leader in the large ensembles as well as the chamber group. When discussing her time in the program, Kaylee makes sure to give credit to her mentor. “Mr. [Steven] Gooden taught me a lot of life skills beyond music, like managing my time, and he was always there if I need help with anything, like talking about college,” she shares.
Kaylee specifically remembers playing principal flute on Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade with Merit Philharmonic last year, a piece featuring extensive flute solos. “Mr. Gooden gave me a space to lead,” she says. “It was really nerve-wracking, but it was so fun. Through that, I learned how to be more confident with playing principal in an orchestra and leading a section.”
While this summer has been filled to the brim with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, Kaylee’s success isn’t a lucky streak. It’s the result of years of diligence and hard work from Kaylee as well as dedication and investment from Chicago’s musical community. Whether performing alongside Lizzo and the CSO, appearing at landmark venues across the city, or preparing for the next chapter at Peabody, Kaylee approaches every opportunity with the same focus: learning from those around her and continuing to grow as a musician. We can’t wait to see what incredible adventures she has in store next.
