The Harmony Project

Both of my children participated in youth orchestras. Their experience has been an invaluable part of their life. My daughter went on to play in the Disney Young Musicians Orchestra and my son received his Masters in Music from Yale University.

I learned a lot in Harmony Project. The teachers are so kind, patinet, and knowledgeful. Without Harmony Project, I have no way to keep playing my music. I would like Harmony Project to expand to serve more student in San Fernando Valley. In this way, I don't have to travel 30 miles to attend the classes.

Professionally, I am a consultant to nonprofit organizations. I am also one of the founding board members of the Harmony Project. Therefore, I can speak with great certainty that Harmony Project is one of the best run organizations there is. From program design to financial management to outcome evaluation, HP is built on a culture of learning, collaboration and accountability - while maintaining a clear focus on our mission of improving children, families and communities through music. The results speak for themselves: astounding outcomes for kids, national recognition as a leader in the field, and an organization that is strong and growing despite current economic conditions.

My daughter has participated in the Harmony Project's Hollywood Youth Orchestra (playing cello) for 2 years now and it has been a wonderful experience. Not only does she get excellent instruction from HYO's caring and very professional conductor, she is playing fine music among a very diverse and motivated group of kids. What Harmony Project does for the Los Angeles community, and particularly families and kids who could not afford music instruction otherwise, is really outstanding!

I have been on the Board, General Counsel, and Secretary of The Harmony Project from its beginning in 2001. We have grown from 34 students to over 700 students, including 5 orchestras. In November we received the White House’s Coming Up Taller Award given to the best programs that target children lacking access to arts and music resources. Recently, I attended the Winter Concert of one of our three centers where two orchestras and a children’s choir performed. These concerts demonstrate again and again the success of The Harmony Project. Not only do you hear beautiful music made by the kids in our program, but you also see caring staff and parents and disciplined students working together. The Hollywood Youth Orchestra, our best orchestra played Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, Movement 1, beautifully and professionally. Creating good musicians is secondary to our main goal of helping children develop in many ways through the practice and playing of music. Our kids repeatedly tell us about the difference that The Harmony Project makes in their lives their families’ lives as their discipline improves, their grades improve, and their hopes for the future rise. We spend about $1,500 per student per year to make a difference in these kids’ lives. The Harmony Project is led by a talented and dedicated staff, including Myka Miller, our Executive Director, Margaret Martin our Founder, Howard Banchik, Chairman of our outstanding Board of Directors, and our teachers who establish relationships with our kids and motivate them to succeed. The whole staff is dedicated to our mission to help children and their families develop through the practice and playing of music.

The Harmony Project is an after school program that gives students in underserved areas of Los Angeles access to instrumental music education. Our goal is to build community through music, while giving kids the social skills they need to succeed. The program is offered at no cost to the students or families. The kids at the Expo location are getting excited and starting to feel the buzz around Gustavo Dudamel and his new relationship with the LA Philharmonic. Gustavo has invited these kids to participate in his official inaugural concert for the city on October 3rd at the Hollywood Bowl. I could not be more proud to be affiliated with the Harmony Project and their vision. I hope that more musicians around LA will choose to get involved.