Cedar Rapids’ Harmony School of Music receives grant from Los Angeles Philharmonic

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) awarded Harmony School of Music $25,000 as a part of Partners in Music Learning, a regranting initiative of the LA Phil’s YOLA National program, supporting creative youth development and music programs across the U.S. Underwritten by an anonymous donor, this is the first regranting opportunity offered by the LA Phil.

Harmony School of Music is one of 18 organizations to receive Partners in Music Learning funding. Funds will support capacity building, programming, and increased youth access to music learning opportunities. This initiative also will create a national music educator cohort, providing grantees with a platform for shared learning and support while deepening their impact beyond the grant period.

“We are thrilled to receive this award and to be a part of a national group of programs developing best practice for creative youth empowerment,” said Jessica Altfillisch, Founder and Executive Director of Harmony School. “This funding and the opportunity to learn with and from other programs will help Harmony School grow free programming here at home while increasing opportunities for our students and teachers globally.”

The regranting program was built in consultation with leaders and stakeholders in youth development and music education fields and includes young people. Elsje Kibler-Vermaas, Vice President of Learning at the LA Phil, said, “It was important to us to design a democratic grantmaking process. We worked to consider the perspectives of those the program aims to serve and will provide a platform where all participants are learning from and alongside each other.”

About Harmony School of Music

The mission of Harmony School (HSM) is to transform lives through inclusive music education. HSM aims to build a safe and nurturing space to explore creativity. Classes are free of charge to students and prioritize those who face financial and social barriers to other after school arts programs. Harmony School is the only Iowa member of El Sistema USA and is part of a global network of creative change makers working to build community music ensembles that benefit all citizens. For more information, visit www.harmonycr.org.