The Harmony Project

Promoting Youth Development Through Music Education and Social Support

Your generous contribution will help support the implementation of tuition-free music education programming that seamlessly integrates academic resources and social support services for the benefit of more than 4,000 underserved students located within historically marginalized communities of color throughout Los Angeles County and North Orange County. Harmony Project’s holistic approach helps to reinforce and enhance essential 21st Century skills such as logic, reasoning, visual processing, emotional maturity, empathy, and interpersonal communication, while also inspiring program participants to complete high school and pursue a postsecondary education. Our program curriculum is designed for K-12 students of all ages/skill levels and integrates each of the following program elements at no cost to participating students or their families: Comprehensive & Collaborative Music Instruction - Every student receives an instrument and 4-5 hours of weekly music instruction from a teaching artist. Our staff and teaching artists implement year-round hybrid (in-person/online) programming in 13-week cycles during the Fall (September through December), Winter (January through March), and Spring (March through June). Classes are scheduled twice per week in 45-minute/60-minute sessions that cover one of four separate musicianship tracks, including Instrumental, Music Production, Percussion, and Vocal. Students have the opportunity to join a chamber music ensemble, receive private lessons to reinforce skill development, and attend master class workshops that inspire them to explore the boundaries of music theory. Participants also perform alongside their peers at end-of-semester recitals and concerts as well as community events. Culturally Diverse Staff & Responsive Teaching Practices - Our organization has access to a growing network of teaching artists that are not only professionally trained in music performance, but also directly reflect the culturally rich and ethnically diverse communities we serve. Each of our program managers and teaching artists specializes in a wide range of musical genres that speak to the cultural backgrounds and individual musical interests of participating students. As a result, we have established an expansive musical repertoire that incorporates elements of Banda, Classical Music, Funk, Jazz, Mariachi, Soul, etc. that both students and their families can connect with, while also introducing them to new concepts, genres, and musical experiences. In addition, Harmony Project has created a year-long professional development program that empowers our teaching artists to establish centered relationships that promote connectedness with all students, developing a community of learners that work collaboratively, and encouraging students to recognize and critique current social inequities. Trauma-Informed Care & Music Education - Our Community and Relational Engagement (CARE) department are trained to recognize the presence of trauma-induced behavioral symptoms, support students and their families through one-on-one support, and refer them to outside mental health services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CARE helped distribute vital resources and supplies such as fresh groceries, protective masks, and school accessories. They also organize professional development opportunities with program managers and teaching artists to help them gain a deeper understanding of the detrimental effects of trauma. In addition, our dedicated team of counselors, social workers, and therapists helped our organization develop mental health focused programming such as music therapy workshops and virtual grieving circles. Ultimately, we envision CARE as a safety net for children and youth experiencing challenging issues at home and/or school, ensuring they receive the resources and services needed to remain enrolled in our music education ecosystem. College Attainment Services & Scholarships - We offer access to year-round counseling and workshops that help ensure our program participants stay on track to graduate from high school, meet college entrance qualifications, and provide the guidance needed to navigate the college application and financial aid process. Our in-person and online workshops engage students through a variety of hands-on activities such as mock interviews, writing assistance, and peer-to-peer networking. In addition, as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the academic and individual success of our alumni beyond their tenure with Harmony Project, our organization has enlisted the help of a dedicated College and Alumni Manager, who maintains regular contact with students via twice-a-year check-ins. They also help us coordinate workforce development opportunities for alumni that include summer internships, scheduled concert performances, and teaching artist assistant positions at partnering school sites. Furthermore, Harmony Project established an annual scholarship fund for our graduating seniors that can be used to support the costs of books, food, and other daily needs.