19 January, 2026

On December 12, 2025 I provided a special holiday Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to 20 underserved 4th and 5th graders at the the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark, DE for the final session of 2025. All were fully focused and engaged throughout the session. The room was filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The kids giggled with joy and astonishment as I entertained them. Then I handed them new Hohner harmonicas on which I gently taught them to accurately play four songs - which to their delight included holiday favorites Jingle Bells and Silent Night. 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. Attached below is some feedback received from Development Professional Kaleigh White. 

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

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"Thank you for your harmonica lessons today! Our 4th and 5th graders truly enjoyed you! You kept them engaged and they didn't want to stop learning new songs. A few of them attended your lesson last year, but they were still as eager this time around to learn about the harmonica. We especially appreciate you sharing your personal journey and providing our students with a meaningful, real-world perspective. Through your instruction, our students learned how to play the harmonica, practiced several songs, and were thrilled to receive a harmonica of their own. Thank you for broadening their horizons and creating such a memorable learning experience for our students."