The Harps In Our Public Schools Project is designed to make the Harp, an under-taught instrument, more accessible to elementary and middle-school students. The harp is known to have a therapeutic quality, one which students and adults alike gravitate to. As the coordinator, Lou Anne Neill, has explained: “First, it is virtually impossible to sound 'badly' on the harp and second, the sound quality is so soothing, thus becoming a wonderful tool to ease children(s) tension, stress, and increase focus.” This is of particular importance when dealing with those students considered “at-risk”, who often have to face challenging situations including financial disadvantages, less positive adult role models, and violence within their neighborhoods.

During its pilot year, the program was implemented at Moffett Elementary in Lennox, CA and Carver Elementary in Compton, CA. Reaching nearly 200 students, in addition to performing for 500 students in general music assemblies, students have had the opportunity to perform at the Bing Theatre on the campus of University of Southern California as well as for a corporate lunch at the Target Store in Inglewood, CA.

Shauna Kent
Elizabeth La Plante
Jacqueline Marshall
Lou Anne Neill
Carol Robbins
Amy Shulman