Black Moon Trio

Brushwood’s Ensemble-in-Residence

Black Moon Trio is committed to collaboratively affecting positive change in communities through chamber music. They reimagine the breadth of a horn, violin, and piano trio by showcasing underrepresented voices in their artistic programming and original commissions, inspiring young musicians and non-musicians alike through captivating educational programs, and connecting community members through the arts.

By engaging with diverse audiences, youth, and artists of every type, Black Moon Trio works to prove that classical music is for everyone.

Black Moon Trio was founded in 2022 by Parker Nelson, Jeremy Vigil, and Khelsey Zarraga. Each rooted in musical, cultural, and community organizations across the region, Parker, Jeremy, and Khelsey aim to continue making classical music available and relevant to everyone. Harnessing the experience from years of professional chamber music performance, music-making in social service settings, facilitating workshops at universities, and developing curriculum for youth in schools and community development through music, Black Moon Trio is excited to provide a classical music experience that resonates far beyond the reverberations of a final chord.

Heeyoung Kim

Botanical Artist, Founder of the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy at Brushwood Center

Wildflower painter, Heeyoung Kim, documents native plants of Midwestern prairies and woods. Rare and endangered ones are in her priority as plant population is rapidly decreasing globally. She creates detailed portrayals of each plant and its life cycle through keen observation and broad research throughout its growing seasons in natural habitats. Her paintings and drawings are distinguished with scientific accuracy, authentic composition, and masterful rendering of the medium. She has been building up a digital image bank with her artworks in “Project 200”. She set a goal to paint 200 native species and hope her art would be used for educating the public about native plants and nature conservation. 

Kim founded Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy at Brushwood Center and teaches this traditional art form in various media: watercolor, pen-and-ink and graphite pencil, and colored pencil occasionally. Her mastery of the media she uses combined with practical experiences in exhibiting and working as a professional makes her a qualified teacher. Since the founding of the academy, it has become an incubator for ever growing botanical art community in Chicago Metropolitan Areas.

Kathryn Haydon

Poet and Creativity Expert

Kathryn Haydon is the author of the award-winning The Non-Obvious Guide to Being More Creative, No Matter Where You Work and co-author of Creativity for Everybody. Kathryn has written and spoken widely on creative thinking, learning, talent development, and the secret strengths of outlier thinkers, including several chapters in edited volumes and hundreds of articles. She is a regular contributor to publications like Psychology Today, and her work has been featured in The Washington Post.

Kathryn earned her BA at Northwestern University and her MSc in creativity and change leadership from the acclaimed International Center for Studies in Creativity at the State University of New York. She is a certified FourSight facilitator and consultant.

Kathryn’s poems in Unsalted Blue Sunrise will awaken your deep soul thinking. They explore Lake Michigan’s richness as metaphor, art, relationship, and outspoken personality. Written over the four seasons of a year, the poems probe topics both personal and universal. They will surprise you with fresh images and bold perspectives.