New York City, long considered a global hub for the arts, is home to world-class performances, elite institutions like Juilliard and NYU, and a vibrant performing arts culture. But beyond the stages of Lincoln Center or Broadway, it’s also where the Harmony Program—a nonprofit music education organization—is changing lives.
Founded 15 years ago by Anne Fitzgibbon, the Harmony Program brings free music training to underserved communities across the city. “I started this as a pilot while working in the mayor’s office,” Fitzgibbon says. “My mission was to expand access to music education in communities where quality lessons were scarce.”
The program offers general music instruction through singing, clapping, and movement for young children, as well as instrumental classes for string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Group ensembles, including bands, orchestras and choirs, are central to the experience.
Inspired by her 2007 Fulbright Fellowship in Venezuela studying “El Sistema,” Fitzgibbon built Harmony on the belief that music can be a powerful agent of social change. “Our curriculum guides students through technical progress and performance, but it also teaches listening, self-expression, and cooperation,” she says.
The results speak for themselves: More than 10,000 students have participated in Harmony’s school-based and citywide programs. A summer camp, hosted at Juilliard, draws 300–400 young musicians annually. Entry into some year-round ensembles requires proficiency, but the only requirement for most programs is enthusiasm and commitment.
“We’ve collaborated with organizations like the New York Philharmonic and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra,” Fitzgibbon notes. “These experiences motivate students, elevate performance, and connect them with other young musicians across the city.”
At its core, the Harmony Program is about more than music. “Our students learn to listen, focus, and work through challenges,” says Fitzgibbon. “They learn that progress takes practice and that success is best achieved together.”
Those wanting to find out more about the Harmony Program can visit their website at http://www.harmonyprogram.org or follow them at their socials at @harmonyprogram.