Harmony Project Alum: Skyler - From Los Angeles to Yale University
For seven years in Harmony Project, Skyler Lee’s life revolved around music. As a double bass player at Harmony Project’s Expo site, Skyler dedicated four days a week after school to rehearsing, taking private and group lessons, and performing in orchestras. Today, Skyler is a second-year Master of Music student at Yale University, but his journey from an eager student to an Ivy League musician stands as a testament to resilience, mentorship, and the power of accessible music education.
Skyler performing at Harmony Project’s Conductor Circle event for the audience of donors and supporters.
Building Leadership and Musical Excellence
During his time with Harmony Project, Skyler stood out both as a performer and as a leader. He participated in several of Harmony Project’s concerto competitions, securing two impressive first-place wins.
Skyler providing instruction to a Harmony Project student.
Beyond his solo accomplishments, Skyler stepped into a leadership role as one of Harmony Project’s peer mentors. He led peer-to-peer lessons, participated in leadership workshops across different program sites, and learned what it truly meant to be a role model.
Skyler recalls a pivotal moment when he was tasked with teaching a young sixth-grade bassist who was discouraged by traditional compositions. Adapting on the spot, he found sheet music for the theme song from Sonic the Hedgehog (the child’s favorite cartoon). Skyler watched the young student’s face light up as the lesson commenced. That experience shaped Skyler’s approach to music, teaching him the importance of flexibility and meeting students where they are.
Guidance Through CAST and College Readiness
Navigating college admissions can be overwhelming, but Harmony Project’s College Access and Success Team (CAST) ensured Skyler was never alone. During his senior year in high school, CAST provided essential resources that demystified the application process. Harmony Project staff helped Skyler refine his application essays and short-answer responses, giving him the confidence to express his story clearly. Furthermore, CAST introduced Skyler to specialized workshops, including sessions on musicians’ health and wellness; topics that proved invaluable as he prepared for the rigors of higher education.
Skyler’s College Trajectory
Skyler graduated from high school in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although initially committed to the prestigious Eastman School of Music, financial considerations and global uncertainty led him to pivot. Rather than giving up, Skyler made a strategic move to Los Angeles City College (LACC), enrolling in their tuition-free Applied Music Program within the Herb Alpert School of Music.
Skyler posing outside UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music during his senior year.
At LACC, Skyler completed his general education requirements while receiving weekly private lessons. Leveraging LACC's Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) degree track and its direct connections to local universities, Skyler transferred to the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. Bolstered by a generous $10,000 scholarship from LACC alongside merit awards from UCLA, Skyler completed his Bachelor’s degree entirely debt-free.
Following his undergraduate studies, Skyler won a section position with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, spending a gap year freelancing and teaching in public schools. When he subsequently applied for graduate programs, his talent and preparation earned him a spot at the Yale School of Music, where he now immersed himself in chamber music, contemporary ensembles, and faculty collaborations.
Foundation for Life
Reflecting on his journey, Skyler credits Harmony Project as the foundational catalyst for his career. Without the access, instrument, space to practice, and supportive community provided by Harmony Project, he emphasizes that he would not be at Yale today.
Skyler (2nd left) with his section at the National Youth Orchestra Reunion orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April 2026.
When asked what advice he would offer current Harmony Project students aspiring to pursue music in college, Skyler emphasizes one simple principle: “have fun”. In an industry often consumed by perfectionism, he points to the concept of "musicing"; the idea that everyone involved in a performance, from the orchestra to the audience and stage crew, shares in the joy of creating community through music. Through adaptability, passion, and the support of Harmony Project, Skyler continues to embody that spirit on every stage he touches.
For Skyler, ensuring universal access to music education is as fundamental as providing food or sleep. He believes music is a “basic human necessity”, pointing out that “everyone lives musically through their speech, interactions, and steady internal heartbeat”. Ensuring equal access regardless of zip code simply allows every child to express their shared humanity and build connection.
About Harmony Project:
Harmony Project is a nonprofit that provides high-quality music instruction and social support to children year-round at no cost throughout 51 community hubs in Los Angeles. As one of Los Angeles’ largest music education organizations, Harmony Project is dedicated exclusively to serving children from low-income families and under-resourced communities. Harmony Project envisions a world in which all students have equal access to opportunities to learn how to play music and the resources needed to thrive in college and beyond. Harmony Project’s holistic approach to student success has resulted in impressive outcomes with 98 percent of the graduating high school class accepted to a college or university during the 2025-2026 academic year.