what we do

Above, Harmony Project Phoenix strings students in a performance.

Mentoring Through Music™

We encourage Harmony Project affiliates to innovate, and they all do. That’s how we continue to learn.
These are the core elements:

Commit to students for their entire childhood (they can re-enroll in the program each year until they graduate from high school)
Program at least four to five hours of musical mentoring per week (preferably two hours of small group instruction after school and two to three hours of ensemble)
Operate programs year-round, including summer, with appropriate breaks
Provide students with musical instruments on loan, as part of their Harmony Project scholarship
Hold at least three student performances annually
Require initial orientations for parents and families of all entering students, and continued parent education workshops throughout the year

Offer students musical enrichment activities (field trips, guest artist performances, etc.) and extra-musical support (tutoring, college workshops) whenever possible
Create increasingly challenging musical levels and opportunities as students progress
Deliver a student leadership and peer mentorship component and opportunities for students to teach and mentor one another

Assess the musical progress and character development of students in the program through juries held twice each year
Evaluate and assess the program annually, through student, parent and teacher surveys
Gather data on student demographics, attendance and outcomes

Enroll low-income students and offer the program on a full scholarship
Engage teaching artists who are not only fine musicians but who are also positive people, enjoy making music and like working with kids; their primary role is to mentor students from challenging backgrounds over time through the process of learning to play and perform increasingly challenging music. Hold teacher orientations for new teaching artists, plus continued professional development opportunities
Assemble a volunteer Board of Directors, committed to helping Harmony Project thrive
Partner with organizations, people and institutions to maximize resources and grow the reach of Harmony Project

Complete an application to host a Harmony Project program and contact Harmony Project National Division to be connected with a mentor who will offer support and guidance throughout the process
Adopt Harmony Project’s mission statement and core values
Become “Harmony Project” of City/Geographic Region
Obtain proper insurance (general liability, officers and directors, etc.) and name Harmony Project Los Angeles as an additional insured
Ensure that anyone working directly with children passes a background check
Institute a student enrollment and annual re-enrollment process that includes contracts outlining Harmony Project policies (attendance, instrument care, behavior, practicing, parent participation, pick-up and drop-off)