15 December, 2018

Gary Allegretto, Founding Director of Harmonikids, provides a Harmonikids session in Delaware.

On December, 14, 2018, I provided a HOHNER-sponsored Harmonikids session to 24 high school students with special needs at Delcastle Technical High School in Delaware. All of the students became joyfully engaged to watch me perform for them and then each found a path to make music when I passed out harmonicas and gently taught them songs. They were thrilled as they quickly learned five songs including Silent Night and Jingle Bells in honor of the holiday season. The youth’s self esteem and confidence soared as they became successful. They sat fascinated for nearly two hours happily playing and asking questions. As Harmonikids programs have demonstrated for decades, learning to play music on a harmonica can lead special needs youth across daunting boundaries and elevate their self-image at a crucial time in their development. The inspirational educational and life benefits the youth received are described in the note of thanks received from teacher Thomas Gears below.

~ Gary Allegretto, Founding Director of Harmonikids, www.harmonikids.org

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit our school and teach your Harmonikids program. The special needs students in the STEP program at Delcastle got so much out of your program. In addition to teaching them songs on their very own harmonicas, you have given them inspiration that they can do whatever they set their minds to. That is something that no one can ever take away. They came in this morning with stories of how they have been practicing and watching videos online over the weekend to work on their budding harmonica skills. You have an extraordinary talent, not only at playing the harmonica but also touching the hearts and connecting with young people through your music and instruction.

Again, many thanks!
~ Thomas A. Gears, Instructor, STEP Math & Social Studies