Hope & Harmony
Spreading Hope and Wellness through the Power of Music
Our MISSION
Our goal is to spread joy through the power of music and learn about other cultures. Music is a language that connects us all, and Hope and Harmony is the bridge that helps us do that. We want to empower young musicians to help others while doing something they love.
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"Music should be healing.
Music should uplift the soul. Music should inspire."
-Hazrat Inayat Khan
Founders: Ayisha and Maya's Message
Music has been introduced to us from a very young age, and ever since then, we have seen how powerful it can be. We have been learning music for about twelve years now which includes playing in different concerts, taking part in competitions, and playing for the school band and orchestra. We realize how fortunate we are to have these opportunities outside of school, and we also realize that other students that are equally as passionate about music do not have them.
We wanted to create an accessible platform in which students could share their musical talents with others. Hope and Harmony empowers those kids to share their talents while also participating in various outreach activities throughout the community. We realized that there were a lot of opportunities to go out to different concerts and explore various styles of music, however, not everyone could afford the tickets, transportation, or any other pressures.
In 2018, we played Christmas carols at the St. Alexius Hospital for kids and their families, and we still remember the ebullience on their faces. This was when the inspiration for Hope and Harmony was sparked.
We had a vision to create an organization in which we could go to homeless shelters, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other volunteer organizations to spread our love for music as well as serve our community. Music is a language that we all feel connected by, and this organization is the bridge that will help us do that. Together, we can make an impact.
Our Organization
Hope and Harmony is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that visits long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, hospitals, and more to simply play our music and make a difference. We take all young musicians willing to perform, no matter their skill level.
We play music the audience wants to hear so they can feel emotions like happiness, bliss, and even nostalgia. We also like to spend time before and after the performances getting to know the audience in order for them to feel a personal connection to the songs they are hearing- you never know who needs a simple conversation or even a smile to feel better.
Not only do we do performances, but we also do non-music-related volunteer activities. These include food drives, care package making, and fundraisers for non-profits that we partner with. Anyone can participate in our organization, and that is one of our main focuses.
In 2020, we were fortunate to introduce Hope and Harmony to Barrington High School as a club! This helps us reach out to even more kids and allow them to share their talents- musical or not.
Community Outreach
We do volunteer activities such as making care packages and food packages, fundraising, festival decorating, cooking for homeless etc
Maya Zahir
President, Co-Founder
I am a Senior at Barrington High School and I have been the president since my sophomore year! Ever since I was very young I have had a passion for music, and I feel very fortunate to be able to share this passion with those who need an extra spark of happiness in their lives. My goal is to connect people through music, which is why I started Project Ethnomusicology. Project Ethnomusicology focuses on connecting individuals by sharing knowledge about music from cultures around the world. Click here to read my research on Ethnomusicology. Below are my blogs and podcasts on Ethnomusicology.
Self-Published Book
Meera's Musical Adventure Around the World
Written and Illustrated by Maya Zahir
Click HERE to order your copy!
Meera is a young girl that feels like no one understands her like music does, and because of this she struggles to make friends. Embark on a musical adventure around the world with Meera and her new friend Carlos. Learn about non-western music and how individuals can make connections because of music. This book aims to spark an interest in ethnomusicology and encourage inclusivity and empathy in children.
Click on the book to read!