Harmony Music School's mission is to offer free music instruction and instruments to at-risk youth. HMS was founded by Lyn Koonce, a musician and music advocate living in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school is housed in donated space of a local church in Greensboro. The outreach of Harmony is specifically designed for children who may not have access to the resources necessary to learn a musical instrument.
Studies suggest that children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in other areas of learning, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.
A Stanford study shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating events in our memory.
Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.