Walking through a labyrinth of orange hallways to a practice room in Paine Hall, saxophonist Mariah Goldsmith, a ninth-grader at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, fine-tunes the details of her upcoming performance at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge with David Armenta ’17, a volunteer with Harvard and Radcliffe Musical Outreach to Neighborhood Youth (HARMONY), which provides instrumental and vocal instruction for children in the Cambridge Public Schools.

“I was teaching Mariah a new concept, but it didn’t really feel like it was sinking in. I tried explaining it a new way, and then tried to get her to explain it to me, and as she worked through an explanation, I saw the slow look of realization and awe sneak across her face. She got it!” explained Armenta. “That moment is great motivation for me to continue teaching. I’m glad that I am able to teach someone through HARMONY — teaching Mariah has taught me about my own limitations and strengths, and not just as a teacher. I learned more about myself as a student.”

HARMONY — one of Phillips Brooks House Association’s more than 70 volunteer programs — targets children who would especially benefit from individual or group musical instruction because they would otherwise be unable to afford private music lessons. In addition, HARMONY runs an after-school program to give younger students exposure to music of all genres.

Volunteer Lucy Nam ’17, who tutors eighth-grader Alex Sadock from the Cambridge Street Upper School, echoes Armenta’s joy: “I would say that teaching my student is one of the many things I look forward to every week and I love the chance to hear my student improve from week to week. Every year, we put on a final recital and it is amazing to hear a compilation of music from students taught by other Harvard teachers. HARMONY is a great organization and I am happy to see that the program has increased many students’ interest in music.”

 

Mariah Goldsmith, a ninth-grader at Cambridge Rindge and Latin, discusses practice in the Science Center before a lesson with HARMONY volunteer David Armenta ’17.
1Mariah Goldsmith, a ninth-grader at Cambridge Rindge and Latin, discusses practice in the Science Center before a lesson with HARMONY volunteer David Armenta ’17.
Mariah Goldsmith heads to a saxophone lesson with David Armenta (behind).
2Mariah Goldsmith heads to a saxophone lesson with David Armenta (behind).
Volunteer Lucy Nam ’17 works with Alex Sadock from the Cambridge Street Upper School inside a Paine Hall practice room.
3Volunteer Lucy Nam ’17 works with Alex Sadock from the Cambridge Street Upper School inside a Paine Hall practice room.
Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with David Armenta, who strikes a piano key.
4Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with David Armenta, who strikes a piano key.
Ninth-grader Mariah Goldsmith is framed by a water lens in the Science Center while discussing an upcoming performance with her tutor, David Armenia.
5Ninth-grader Mariah Goldsmith is framed by a water lens in the Science Center while discussing an upcoming performance with her tutor, David Armenia.
Lucy Nam unpacks music scores inside a Paine Hall practice room.
6Lucy Nam unpacks music scores inside a Paine Hall practice room.
Lucy Nam works with eighth-grader Alex Sadock inside Paine Hall.
7Lucy Nam works with eighth-grader Alex Sadock inside Paine Hall.
Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with volunteer David Armenta.
8Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with volunteer David Armenta.
Cambridge Rindge and Latin ninth-grader Mariah Goldsmith practices her saxophone skills.
9Cambridge Rindge and Latin ninth-grader Mariah Goldsmith practices her saxophone skills.
Framed by the arches of Austin Hall at the Harvard Law School, Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with volunteer David Armenta.
10Framed by the arches of Austin Hall at the Harvard Law School, Mariah Goldsmith practices saxophone with volunteer David Armenta.