WHERE MUSIC LIVES
COMPTON
The Compton program was initiated in 2017, providing musicianship classes at the Compton Sheriff's Youth Activities League (YAL). It was the inaugural music program at the Compton YAL. We currently offer beginning and intermediate band, along with musicianship and music production courses.
EXPO CENTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA (YOLA)
The Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) at EXPO Program, within Exposition Park in South LA, is a partnership of Harmony Project, LA Phil and the EXPO Center, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility. We serve students ages 6 to 18 and have two full-sized orchestras, as well as wind and string ensembles. Overall, we promote healthy youth development and build strong communities through music-making experiences.
GLENDALE
We are excited to announce a new site location in Glendale! Programming is being offered at two elementary schools - Columbus Elementary and Cerritos Elementary. Classes offered are musicianship, beginning winds and violin, and intro to violin.
HAWTHORNE
Programming is focused on drumline group classes. This year we are looking to expand our music offerings to mariachi classes. Currently, music instruction is being tailored to middle schoolers.
HOLLYWOOD YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Hollywood Youth Orchestra (HYO) serves children aged 5-18 in the Hollywood/Koreatown area. It is a full orchestral program that offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced instruction on string, woodwind, and brass instruments. We also offer musicianship classes and introduction classes for our young musicians. Our group classes and ensembles are led by professional musicians who are equally passionate about music education as they are about their performance careers.
LA HABRA
The La Habra Music Community (LHMC) is the only Harmony Project site in Orange County. In 2018 an inspired local resident, Jaime Morales, took the initiative and began providing free music lessons from his home in La Habra. Our community-oriented program now hosts weekly rehearsals for our Mariachi and Latin Rock Ensembles, as well as provides instrumental and musicianship classes to children aged 7-18. Our group classes and ensembles use a culturally responsive pedagogy and are led by our dedicated professional teaching artists.
LEIMERT PARK
The Leimert Park program features a pipeline that begins at Audubon Middle School and culminates at Crenshaw High School. This pipeline emphasizes and utilizes different aspects of musicianship as well as culturally relevant pedagogy. Classes at Audubon Middle School focus on developing musicianship skills and applying those skills to instruments - including beginning band ensemble, drumline group classes, music production and piano classes. At the Crenshaw High School program, we are partnered with the Crenshaw Band Program to provide students with instrumental music classes and other resources.
LYNWOOD
The Lynwood program began in 2018 with musicianship classes open to 3rd through 6th grade students at Lindbergh Elementary School. We are partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Lynwood. Music instruction for instruments such as the flute and trombone are offered on-site, as well as a musicianship course.
LENNOX REGIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Lennox Regional Youth Orchestra (RYO) offers orchestral lessons to communities in the South Bay. Lennox-RYO provides musical instruction based on community requests and offers lessons in percussion and guitar, in addition to the typical orchestral instruments. We are expanding our mariachi band and are introducing popular music to our repertoire.
PARAMOUNT
Our music program, located at one of Harmony Project's school-based sites, provides instruction in wind instruments for students in 4th and 5th grade. We offer beginner-level training in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. It is a collaborative effort between The Harmony Project and Paramount Unified School District. During the first semester, students receive an intensive introduction to musicianship, and they begin playing their chosen instruments in the spring semester.
PASADENA
The Pasadena Youth Orchestra (PASYO), established in 2014, is dedicated to nurturing young musicians who play string orchestral instruments like violin, viola, cello, and bass. It also includes unique ensembles such as drumline, mariachi, and an advanced chamber group. Moreover, we offer a music program specifically designed for kindergarten students. Alongside music instruction, we provide mentorship opportunities and workshops for parents. Our program caters to children aged 5-18.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
The Vocal Music Program is the newest addition to Harmony Project and currently serves our communities in the North Valley! San Fernando High School and Sylmar Charter High School. Students will learn to create and express themselves both as an ensemble and as an individual. Students will participate in community-building events and are given access to additional opportunities in the music field including working with world-renowned guest clinicians, performing at prestigious music festivals, and visiting college campuses to learn about their music programs and scholarship opportunities!