The four of us, for now

Why I started it

I’m Adam. I started piano when I was young, and this year I finished Level 10 through the RCM program, on top of regular school here in Calgary. At some point I started caring more about playing for people than playing for a grade.

The first time I went to a senior home, it wasn’t part of anything official — I just asked if I could play for an hour. People who hadn’t said much the whole visit were humming along by the end. That stuck with me more than any exam result ever has.

I started HarmonYouth because I didn’t want that to be something I did once and forgot about. I wanted it to be an actual schedule people could count on, and I wanted other musicians to get to feel what that afternoon felt like too.

More recently we added a second side to HarmonYouth: 3D printing and assembling assistive devices and adapted toys for people with disabilities, through Makers Making Change. Different skill set, same reason for doing it.

Co-founded with someone who plays just as seriously

I’m Hanry. RCM Level 10 on piano, five years of clarinet.

I co-founded HarmonYouth because I wanted our shows to run on a real schedule — fixed dates we actually commit to, same homes month after month, not performances that happen whenever someone gets around to booking one.

Show up to the same place often enough, and people start planning around it. That matters more to me than any single performance.

Co-founded by someone who’d rather play for a room than for a grade

I’m Arthur. I play cello. What I actually like about music isn’t the practice hours — it’s what happens in the room when you play for people who weren’t expecting it.

The first time I visited a senior home, I had no idea how it would go. By the end, people were asking for encore pieces. That was hard to walk away from.

I co-founded HarmonYouth because I wanted to keep doing that, and I wanted other musicians to get to feel it too. I also run the Build side — the 3D printing, the assembly nights, the Makers Making Change library. Different work than performing, same reason for doing it.

Music means more when you play it for someone

Hi, my name is Vienna. I have played piano for 10 years, and I recently passed my Level 10 piano exam with a high mark. Besides, I’ve been playing violin for almost 4 years and play the flute in my school band.

For me, music has always been a big part of my life, but competitions and exams can often make music feel focused on achievement rather than connection. I’ve realized that using my music to help people is where I find the most meaning in it.

I joined HarmonYouth because I wanted to play an active role in helping young people discover that same meaning and purpose in music. I am especially excited about getting the organization in front of more people because I genuinely believe in its mission of using music and 3D building skills in the community.

As the Marketing and Outreach Lead at HarmonYouth, I manage our Instagram, design promotional flyers, and help organize performances and build meets. I’m so excited to be part of this amazing team and work on fun projects!