Recipient of two Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Grants, a Barlow Endowment Commissioning Grant, an Aaron Copland Fund Grant, and an Ontario Arts Council Grant.
Established solo artists soprano Lindsay Kesselman, clarinetist Kimberly Cole Luevano, and pianist Midori Koga joined as HAVEN in 2011 around performances of Abbie Betinis’ hauntingly beautiful song cycle Nattsanger. HAVEN released its first album, Bright Angel, (Fleur de Son, Ltd.) in 2013 to critical acclaim: “…amazingly performed works…performances are exquisite as is their ensemble chemistry.” (Sequenza 21)
Now in its 15th season, HAVEN has commissioned a compelling body of repertoire from its extended family of composers. Their critically acclaimed recordings: Would That Loving Be Enough (Blue Griffin, 2024), all we are given we cannot hold (Blue Griffin, 2023), Twinge (Blue Griffin, 2019), Atonement (Fleur de Son, 2015), and Bright Angel (Fleur de Son, 2013) can be found on all streaming platforms. HAVEN believes in commissioning people, not pieces of music, and enjoys ongoing relationships with composers such as Abbie Betinis, David Biedenbender, Evan Chambers, Roshanne Etezady, Sungji Hong, Lee Kesselman, Amy Beth Kirsten, Gilda Lyons, Kieren MacMillan, Jon Magnussen and Ivette Herryman Rodriguez. HAVEN’s 2026-2027 season features the premiere of Gilda Lyon’s Gathering Places as well as a new arrangement of Jaime Namminga’s What’s In A Name. Forthcoming commissions include a new composition of past Guggenheim Fellow, Sungji Hong.
Haven feels fortunate to have received support from numerous granting organizations in support of new music and is the recipient of grants from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the Barlow Endowment, Chamber Music America, the Ontario Arts Council and others. HAVEN has been featured in performances in concert series with the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheater Concert Series at the Canadian Opera Company (Toronto); Chamber Music International and the Fine Arts Chamber Players (Dallas, TX); Music with a Mission Series (Naperville, IL); on National Public Radio affiliates; in headline performances for Chamber Music America and International Clarinet Association conferences; and in residencies with the Avaloch Farm Music Institute (NH), the Jackman Humanities Institute (Toronto, Canada), and Connecticut SummerFest.
Kim, Lindsay and Midori are each passionate teachers and actively seek opportunities to work with student performers and composers. HAVENengages in performing/teaching residencies including those at Michigan State University, the University of North Texas, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, the University of Toronto, the Hartt School (Hartford, CT), University of Texas – San Antonio, Sam Houston State University, Emory and Henry University, Abilene Christian University (TX), St. Mary of the Woods College (IN), and the College of DuPage (IL).
Whether in a living room, an art gallery, a school, or a concert hall, HAVEN harnesses the power of vulnerability…inviting its audiences into an intimate and personal experience of contemporary music. Through their composers, they aim to create artistic experiences which allow audiences to feel welcomed, included, and connected to one another through poetry and musical storytelling.