17 October, 2022

On Wednesday October 5th, 2022 I provided a Harmonikids session to a roomful of children at the the Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff. All students were fully focused and engaged throughout the 90 minute session. The room was filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The kids giggled with joy and astonishment as I entertained them. Then each was thrilled as I handed them new Hohner harmonicas on which I gently taught them to accurately play four songs. They beamed with pride at their immediate success. It made a positive difference in the lives of these youth - joyfully boosting their confidence and self esteem. For many it was the first experience of learning to make music on a real musical instrument. The many benefits of the session are described by the facility’s youth program director Megan Erody in her thank you letter below.  

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

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On Wednesday October 5th, 2022 the Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff was very fortunate to receive a visit from Gary Allegretto on behalf of his nonprofit organization Harmonikids and Hohner. As the program director, I had a front row seat to the joy and excitement that this program brought to the kids. Many of the kids who attend our program are musically inclined, and are constantly searching for an outlet for their passion. Gary’s gift of Hohner harmonicas gave the kids of BGCF the ability to express that passion and easily take a musical instrument with them wherever they go. I was surprised by the commitment many of the kids showed to learning full songs on their harmonicas, gaining confidence in their abilities as they practiced more and more. I want to offer a sincere thank you to Harmonikids and Hohner on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff. Gary’s program truly brought enrichment into the lives of kids in our community. 

~ Megan Erdody, Youth Program Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff