September 12, 2024
Rigoberto Sánchez-Mejía has been taking music lessons with Harmony Project, a nonprofit music education organization in Los Angeles, for 12 years, since he was 5 years old. He credits them with putting him on a path to college and giving him a tool to calm down when life is too stressful.
Harmony Project serves about 4,000 kids from low-income communities across Los Angeles and Orange County, giving them free music lessons, instruments and the opportunity to play in orchestras, big band, mariachi groups and more. A staggering 97% of participants graduate high school, and close to 80% go on to college.
What’s their secret? How does music education like Harmony’s help students in school and life?
Guests:
- Rigoberto Sánchez-Mejía, Graduate, Harmony Project
- Natalie Jackson, Executive director, Harmony Project
- Karen D’Souza, Reporter, EdSource
Read more from EdSource: Harmony Project: Harnessing the power of music to boost LAUSD students
Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.