Article Text

When McLean High School junior Emily Moon and her chamber group finished a performance at the Lamb Center homeless shelter, the musicians were greeted with enthusiastic applause. The concert was one of many events organized by Harmony With U, the nonprofit Moon founded in 2023 to bring music to underserved communities.

Moon began playing violin at age 7, roughly the same age as many of the children she now mentors. Her nonprofit grew from a Christmas concert series she started at the Patrick Henry shelter, where musicians performed carols and distributed gifts to families.

“I really enjoyed that experience: spreading our love during the holiday season by giving out Christmas gifts and sharing our love for music by playing Christmas carols for shelter families in our local community,” Moon said.

Harmony With U centers its work on community events and music education. Its programs include concerts, instrument donation drives and free lessons for children living in shelters.

Junior James David, the organization’s marketing director, said the programs introduce underserved children to classical music, help them develop fine motor skills and offer stability to those who have experienced difficult childhoods.

The nonprofit has close connections with McLean’s orchestra program. Orchestra Director Starlet Smith said Moon is reaching a community that often receives other kinds of assistance but may be overlooked when it comes to music.

Smith said access to donated instruments and free lessons removes financial obstacles while giving students an activity they can enjoy throughout their lives.

McLean orchestra students have supported the effort through school donation drives, contributing used instruments, instructional books and supplies such as violin rosin. Some students have also volunteered to teach lessons.

In the three years since its founding, Harmony With U has supported 867 shelter residents, worked across seven states, recruited 156 volunteers and established 13 organizational partnerships.

Moon said the program began by teaching three children each week. It now provides Friday lessons lasting one hour to about 100 children at the Ferris Shelter and Patrick Henry Shelter combined.

The organization has also assisted more than 10 shelters in the community through donation drives and events including Easter egg hunts.

Running a nonprofit as a teenager has created obstacles. Some shelters have been unable to work directly with Harmony With U because its team members are high school students younger than required age limits of 18 or 21. In those cases, Moon said the organization raises money through donations and fundraisers to purchase gifts for children.

Recruiting students from multiple schools was another early challenge. Harmony With U ultimately brought together volunteers from high schools across Fairfax County and partnered with about five high schools and two middle schools.

David described Moon as intensely hardworking and committed to improving students’ lives through music and spaces where they can express themselves.

Smith has also seen Moon become a stronger leader through her work. She said Moon regularly brings ideas to orchestra class and is willing to address the entire group, qualities that make her a role model as well as a talented musician.

Moon now hopes to collaborate with more nonprofits that share Harmony With U’s mission. Her larger goal is to establish a lasting music program in every shelter and homeless shelter the organization serves.

“Music is a universal language where everyone—especially in our diverse community with many Spanish speakers—can understand and feel joy through it,” Moon said.

Although volunteers may not know what children at the shelters are experiencing in their personal lives, Moon said bringing music into their days can offer moments of happiness.

“I believe that everyone, every child, no matter what, deserves a chance to pursue music,” she said.