Our Model

The Harmony Program provides students with community-based vocal and instrumental instruction, aligned to city, state, and national music education standards. Our classes, led by trained teaching artists, prepare our young musicians for ensemble performance.

What makes the Harmony Program unique?

We reach children and communities in need.

Many of our partnering schools are under-performing.
  Reading Math
School partner, Soundview, Bronx 18% 17%
School partner, Longwood, Bronx 10% 4%
School partner, Washington Heights, Manhattan 21% 14%

% of Students Meeting State Standards
(2022 Outcomes)

Many of our partnering schools are under-performing.
  Reading Math
School partner,
Soundview, Bronx
 18% 17%
School partner,
Longwood, Bronx
 26% 14%
School partner,
Washington Heights,
Manhattan		 21% 14%

% of Students Meeting State Standards
(2022 Outcomes)

2022-2023 Student Demographics

80% of students in our partnering schools qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

Our services are community-based.

We prioritize access to and excellence in music education.

We partner with educational and cultural leaders across New York City.

Our students have studied and performed with world-class artists.

Wynton Marsalis

Joyce DiDonato

Paquito D’Rivera

Joshua Bell

Chris Thile

“Harmony Program’s amazing work with talented young musicians from underserved communities is helping to enrich the lives of those students, their parents, and their communities as a whole.”

– Matthew Tommasini, Director of Education and Community Engagement, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

We provide formal, year-round training to our teaching artists.

  • Over 75 hours of paid professional training per year

  • Access to experts in music education and related fields

  • Formal classroom observation and evaluation

  • Membership in a growing network of peer educators

Sample Training Sessions

  • Working with School and Community Partners
  • Increasing Resilience Through Music
  • SEL in the Music Classroom
  • Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
  • Addressing the Needs of All Learners

  • Effective Student Evaluations

“The Harmony Program’s training has enriched my growth… it has opened my eyes and mind to new solutions in today’s modern, urban classroom.”

– Anthony Morris, Harmony Program teaching artist and Faculty Mentor

We support social-emotional development through ensemble performance.

We assess student progress in developing critical life skills.

  • Self-esteem

  • Effective communication

  • Willingness to try new things
  • Persistence
  • Cooperation and respect
  • Ability to manage behaviors