Hearts In Harmony, Nancy Robinson

Nancy Robinson Linwood Public Schools nancyr obinson@linwoodschools.org

Music educators across New Jersey know that there are many students who would benefit from being a part of their school’s instrumental program, but do not have the financial means to rent or buy an instrument. And given today’s budget realities, many school districts no longer have the financial resources to provide instruments to those who are in need. In 2012, two Linwood Middle School Band students realized the need, and decided to do something about it. They founded Hearts in Harmony, a non-profit organization, to help students who love music, but can’t afford instruments. Recently, I had the chance the to talk with current Linwood Middle School Band student Elizabeth Ong, who recently took over running the organization, about Hearts in Harmony and the work these students do to help others.

NR: Where/when did the ideas for Hearts in Harmony come from? Who were the founders?

Elizabeth: Music lovers, Katie Rha and Michelle Moffa, founded Hearts in Harmony(HiH) in 2012. They realized there were many children who would love to play music but couldn’t afford to.

NR: What is the mission of the organization?

Elizabeth: To spread the love of music to others.

NR: How did you become the leader?

Elizabeth: Katie and Michelle had been looking for someone to take over HiH for a while. Even though I’m young, they realized that I could continue to lead HiH before I go to college. When I was approached about taking the organization over, I immediately knew this was a great chance to spread the love of music. I have been playing the piano since I was five, and have been playing the flute since I was eight years old. I can’t imagine not having music in my life!

NR: What is your role in the group?

Elizabeth: I am the president of HiH. I am in charge of recruiting members, updating our website, reaching out to the community for musical instrument donations, helping the members clean the used instruments, maintaining paperwork, and leading fundraising projects. I also reach out to area band directors so they can recommend to the organization students who need an instrument. NR: How do people go about donating instruments?

Elizabeth: They can contact heartsinharmonynj@ gmail.com or they go on social media. Our Facebook page is under Hearts in Harmony NJ.

NR: Do you get help from any local businesses?

Elizabeth: "Hambro’s House of Music" in Northfield repairs and stores the donated instruments we receive. Our member volunteers do the washing, drying and shining afterwards.

NR: How many instruments have been donated over the years?

Elizabeth: Over forty instruments have been distributed to kids who needed them!

NR: Has the organization changed or evolved over the years?

Elizabeth: HiH used to distribute instruments in the fall and then receive them back in the summer through the teachers. Now we permanently donate the instrument to the student until he/she does not need it anymore.

NR: What is your goal for HiH while you are in charge?

Elizabeth: For my first year I was just familiarizing myself with the organization. Now I want to raise awareness, receive more instrument donations, build relationships with local school bands, and do some fundraising for the organization.

NR: Anything else you’d like to add?

Elizabeth: I love music, and I want others to know what it feels like to be able to play an instrument of their own. Music is a universal language that can emit many emotions and thoughts, and it is an amazing experience to be able to speak this language and pass it on to others!

As parents and music educators we know that teens are often depicted in the news and movies as being uncaring, bullies, or connected with school violence. It has been heartwarming to watch a group of teenagers be impacted by music so much that they responded to need and found a way to meet that need. Teenagers making a difference through music…. it’s what we educators always knew the power of music programs in our schools has the power to do.