In 1991, 150 kids in three East Harlem public elementary schools were about to lose their cherished violin program as a result of budget cuts.
Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, committed to our local community, transforms the lives of our students and their families through access to quality music education, while fostering teacher development and introducing performance to new audiences. Working with parents, other teachers and volunteers, their violin teacher, Roberta Guaspari, founded Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, a private, nonprof
it organization, to save the program and to continue to serve public school students in low-income areas. Violinist Arnold Steinhardt, impressed by what he witnessed in these Harlem music classes, engaged colleagues Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern to organize Fiddlefest, a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall to keep the violin program alive. Not only did this first concert shine a bright light on Opus 118, it became the first in a series of Fiddlefests with acclaimed musicians such as Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Mark O'Connor joining the Harlem students in performance. Roberta Guaspari’s passionate struggle to keep music instruction alive in Harlem's public schools has inspired two films: Small Wonders, a 1996 documentary produced by Susan Kaplan and directed by Allan Miller, and Miramax’s 1999 feature film, Music of the Heart, starring Meryl Streep; both films received Academy Award nominations. The New York City Schools Chancellor restored funds for Ms. Guaspari and for two more Opus violin teachers. Today, Opus serves in five New York public schools. In 2002, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music expanded on the success of its internationally recognized In-School Music Program and established a comprehensive community music school currently located at Central Park East II in East Harlem. Through this community music school, Opus 118 can meet the needs of this fast-growing and underserved community by offering opportunities for New York City public school students to obtain one-on-one and ensemble instruction after school, offering access to music education for children who may not have music programs in their schools at all, and offering instruction for adults who want to learn a musical instrument or advance their musical skills. In addition to Opus 118's traditional violin program, the expanded curriculum includes viola, cello, piano, and guitar. Opus 118 Harlem School of Music expanded their reach even further in 2008 by creating the Community Programs Initiative which partners Opus 118 with local communities, organizations and schools to bring music classes and performances to even more people in the community. Opus 118 students play for local hospitals and special events while the faculty brings music education to after-school programs and early childhood music education to Head Start Programs. What started in one Harlem classroom now affects thousands of children, here in New York and in other cities that have taken inspiration from the Opus 118 story.
06/12/2025
⏰ Time is ticking! Our Annual Matching Campaign is in full swing for our End-of-Year Recitals & Concerts! Remember, your donation up to $5,000 is TRIPLE-MATCHED by New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Michael and Pamela Miles Fund, and the Joe Lewis Jefferson Foundation. Help us reach our $20,000 goal and unlock an additional $5,000 board match!
We are so close Opus 118 Community! Help us reach our goal by Friday, June 13th by donating today!
Also, a massive THANK YOU to New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Michael and Pamela Miles Fund, and the Joe Lewis Jefferson Foundation for their incredible support of our Annual Matching Campaign! 🙌 Their generosity means the first $5,000 in donations are triple-matched, and all donations up to $20,000 are matched dollar-for-dollar. And if we surpass our goal, our Board will match an extra $5,000!
Every contribution helps us keep the music alive in East Harlem. We are 61% of the way to our goal!
🎶 Get ready for our End-of-Year Recitals & Concerts! Your support helps make these incredible performances possible. Join our Annual Matching Campaign and watch your donation go further! Every dollar is matched, thanks to our generous partners, helping us hit our $20,000 goal. Plus, if we exceed it, the Opus 118 Board will match an additional $5,000!
Don’t miss this chance to amplify your impact for young musicians.
📢 BIG NEWS! Our Annual Matching Campaign is officially LIVE!
🎉 This year, your support goes further than ever before. Thanks to the incredible generosity of New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Michael and Pamela Miles Fund, and the Joe Lewis Jefferson Foundation, every dollar you donate, up to the first $5,000, will be TRIPLE-MATCHED! That's $1 ➡️ $4 for music education in East Harlem! Help us reach our $20,000 goal for our End-of-Year Recitals & Concerts.
Our Opus 118 Performance Ensemble shone brightly last Saturday. What an honor to have a special spotlight at the “Conference in Defense of Childhood, Education and Democracy.” Their performance was a beautiful celebration of music and the legacy of Opus 118. We loved sharing this special moment with the dedicated administrators and teachers of Central Park East 1, 2 and River East Elementary Schools.
12/19/2024
Are you on the Opus 118 Email List? If not, sign-up today to stay in the know! 🎼📩
Happy Holidays from Opus 118!
We hope you enjoy this heartfelt musical greeting from our Performance Ensemble. Consider making a donation before December 31st: www.opus118.org/donate
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a bright new year!
12/03/2024
🎵 GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC THIS GIVING TUESDAY 🎵
Every child deserves a chance to discover their potential, and at Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, we’re turning dreams into melodies.
Today, on , you can help transform lives through the power of music. Your support provides:
Free, high-quality music education
Instruments for students who can’t afford them
After-school programs that inspire creativity
A safe, nurturing community for young musicians
Every donation, big or small, creates a symphony of opportunity for our young musicians. Together, we can compose a brighter future – one note at a time.
🔗 Donate now: bit.ly/40Bt86A
12/02/2024
Opus 118 is proud to partner with P.S./M.S 57, located on East 115th street, to provide free in-school violin lessons for students, which is a central component of our organization. Today, I (Jairus Steed, Alum & current Board member) had the honor of visiting a class taught by two amazing Opus 118 alum. Seeing the students' faces light-up as they make music together is a reminder of the important work we do at Opus 118, made possible only through our collective community support!
11/15/2024
Excited to share our latest edition of OpusNotes for Fall 2024. This issue is packed with exciting updates, program highlights, and inspiring stories from our students, faculty, and the broader community!
🎶✨ Be a Part of Something Big! ✨🎶 Help us raise $20,000 for scholarships, teacher training, and new instruments by donating to our matching campaign. Every dollar counts and gets tripled! Act fast, this opportunity lasts only two weeks starting June 4th. Link in bio. Thank you for your support! 🎻💙
For more details and to donate, visit https://opus118.org/matchingfundraiser/
06/09/2024
🌟💖 Amplify Your Gift! 💖🌟 Starting June 4th, your donations to Opus 118 will be matched x3 for two weeks! Your $10 donation becomes $40, providing financial aid for a private lesson. Let's empower young musicians together! Link below 🎻
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