10 August, 2022

On June 30, 2022 I provided a Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to a summer school class of special education high school students Delcastle Technical High School in Delaware. All of the students became excited and joyfully engaged to watch me perform and then each found a path to make music when I passed out harmonicas and gently taught them songs. The youth’s self esteem and confidence soared as they became successful making music. 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

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Dear Gary,

Thank you so much for presenting your Harmonikids program at Delcastle High School on June 30, 2022. The students really got a lot out of the program, and I know for sure that your program inspired several of them to seriously learn to play the harmonica and also to consider other instruments as well. 

The program brought out conversations and camaraderie in the students that I did not see in the preceding weeks of our ESY (Extended School Year) program. I can't thank you enough for your time and effort. Also please pass along our sincere thanks to wonderful folks at Hohner for their support. 

This group of students was a mix of special education students from four different schools participating in our ESY program. Your program was the highlight of the ESY and the students did nothing but talk about it the rest of the time. 

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. Everyone in the room walked out feeling inspired. Again, many thanks and please feel free to drop by for a visit whenever you are in town.

~ Thomas A. Gears, Instructor STEP Program, Math & Social Studies, Delcastle Technical High School, Wilmington, DE