From orchestra to outreach: Lake Zurich High School senior brings music and kindness to seniors
Joshua Kalarical is a senior at Lake Zurich High School. Music is a core passion of his that has always been part of his life. Ever since he was 5 years old, he has played a variety of instruments, ranging from piano to cello to the double bass, which he currently plays. His favorite instrument to play is the double bass, which he’s played since middle school; he loves the deep notes and the foundation it provides the orchestra. With this passion for music, he is the principal bassist in his school’s symphony orchestra, and in various ensembles like jazz band, symphonic band, musical theater and Sinfonietta, an auditioned music group that plays a variety of classical and romantic music.
Due to his passion for music, he created his own nonprofit organization called Harmony Haven to strengthen communities through the healing power of music and compassionate service by bringing joy and connection to seniors through regular monthly performances at senior citizen homes while organizing donation drives that address critical community needs. His mission is to foster a culture of giving and support that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and thrive. Through every note played and every act of kindness, he hopes to create lasting bonds that uplift spirits and transform lives.
Beginning in May of 2025, he established and built a therapeutic butterfly garden at the Cedar Lake Assisted Living and Memory Care Home in Lake Zurich for the residents, which is the first of a kind in Lake Zurich. The garden consisted of 14 species of native plants, nine species of perennial plants, and eight species of annual plants. The native plants are: sweet black-eyed Susan, New England aster, smooth blue aster, prairie phlox, cardinal flower, blue sage, purple poppy mallow, ox-eye, purple coneflower, Ohio spiderwort, golden Alexanders and wild petunia. The perennial plants are: Shasta daisy, carnation, black-eyed Susan, butterfly bush, lance-leaved coreopsis, garden phlox, balloon flower and Tussock bellflower. The annual plants are: parsley, common thyme, dill, domestic petunia, scarlet sage, zinnia, African marigold and cosmos.
With the butterfly garden, this can benefit the seniors by promoting social interaction among residents, staff, and visitors, reducing stress and helping combat depression, providing a peaceful place to relax and meditate as butterflies flit and flutter. For more information about Harmony Haven and the butterfly garden, visit harmonyhavenil.org.
Here are some testimonials about the butterfly garden:
“It has just been a pleasure to know Josh for over a couple of years now with his passion for music, and to have him share another passion for gardening. The butterfly garden has just been a wonderful part of our summer here. It went from just a bunch of dirt taking up space to a gorgeous butterfly garden that we have all enjoyed all through the seasons. We cannot thank Josh and his mom and dad enough for all the time and love and care they have spent here.”
— Greg Spizzirri, director of entertainment and programming
“Joshua: Every day when I take my morning walk, I pause to look at the butterflies. It brightens my day! Thank you.”
— Cedar Lake resident
“I have watched the progress of the butterfly garden being put together and the loving care that has been put together by Josh, and I thank him very much. The residents of Cedar Lake appreciate the continuing beauty and the continuing change as the seasons grow on. I sincerely look forward to seeing the butterfly garden every day on my walk.”
— Cedar Lake resident
“Hi! Josh; Your garden always makes me smile and I love all your great help.”
— Cedar Lake resident