LA-based Harmony Project was born from a belief that playing music can be a key to a successful life. The project is a practice and performance program for at-risk teens and was founded in 2001 by Margaret Martin. Martin, herself, survived domestic violence and a year of homelessness before pursuing and then earning her doctorate. It’s Martin’s goal to make sure everyone has the opportunity for a successful future, which is why the program is completely free.
“I view [education] as a human rights issue because I believe every child that shows up at school deserves a chance at their own complete education,” Martin told Upworthy.
Recent studies show that kids who grow up in poverty can have altered brain development, possibly as a result of their increased state of fight-or-flight mode. Martin proposed giving the kids an instrument because, as more studies show, playing music is good for the brain—particularly the areas of the brain negatively affected by fight-or-flight.
Every student is given an instrument to take home. They attend five hours of instruction a week and are assigned an orchestral group. There are mentor check-ins and opportunities to receive music college scholarships.
Discipline, collaboration, and the mathematical rigor of learning an instrument help cultivate the tools for success in other parts of life.
Today, 2,500 students from over 80 schools and under-resourced communities are involved in the Harmony Project. They can stay in the program from elementary school through high school. More than 90% of Harmony Project seniors go on to college—and this year they hit 100%. The project’s gained national recognition including a prestigious award by then-President Obama.
