Breaking Barriers Festival at Ravinia

Curated by Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, Breaking Barriers is an annual festival that spotlights and celebrates leading women in classical music—particularly in areas where they are underrepresented, such as conducting and composing—as well as female standouts in complementary fields.

Founded in 2022, the inaugural festival championed women on the podium. Other past themes have included women leaders in the culinary arts (2025), outer space expiration and studies (2024), and music composition (2023). Inspiration for Breaking Barriers began with recognizing two milestones: the 20th anniversary of the landmark Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship and the 100th birthday of Margaret Hillis, the pioneering founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, which were further highlighted by a walkable exhibit of more than 100 women conductors from the past century.

Each year, the festival pairs concerts with panels and experiences that illuminate the intersections of classical music with the selected complementary field. The 2026 Breaking Barriers events shine a light on women in film—learn more about this summer’s performances and more below.

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