The Harmony Scholars Program

Since 2017, the Harmony Scholars program has made learning violin or piano accessible to underrepresented students in the city of Holland, teaching youth ages 5-18 through one-on-one weekly lessons, group projects, and yearly recitals.  Harmony Scholars students are provided materials, instruments, and instruction with the goal of removing common barriers that keep students and families from participating in private music education programs.   

The Harmony Scholars program operates within the City Strings Music Studio at Maple Ave Ministries.  City Strings, founded by Lauren Garza, is a string music program that strives to be an anti-racist organization that focuses on equity and equality in classical music through representation and accessibility.  Currently 50% of the City Strings Music Studio is made up of Harmony Scholars.  Both paying and scholarship students (Harmony Scholars) receive the same excellent music education in the City Strings Music Studio.  

Harmony Scholars are equipped with skills that prepare  them for leadership roles in their school orchestra, community, and future collaborative environments.  

2021 projects include:

• Music by Black composers curriculum unit 
  
• Spring recital recording 
  
• 6 new violins and 8 new keyboards to grow our programming.  
  
• Summer intensive with guest Chenoa Alamu to focus on the classical music of Black Composers  
  
• Piano renovation
  

Visit our website for more information and resources:
​ sites.google.com/view/citystringsconnect/

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