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.
06/27/2026
Ending our End-of-Year Concert with this powerful finale was the ultimate reminder of how strong our community is when we are together.
Now that the final school bell has officially rung, we want to thank all of our students, families, partners, and teachers for an unforgettable year.
Rest up and stay safe - we already can't wait to see everyone back and ready to create more beautiful music this Fall! ☀️🍂
06/22/2026
WE DID IT! We are incredibly thrilled to announce that we have officially hit our $20,000 goal for our matching campaign! 🎉
Because of our community's overwhelming generosity, every single dollar raised is being matched - tripling the impact on our students, music education, and community programming as we look toward the upcoming academic year!
This incredible match is possible thanks to the generosity of The Joe Lewis Jefferson Foundation, The Michael and Pamela Miles Fund, and New York Presbyterian Hospital.
A massive thank you to everyone who donated, shared our updates, and cheered us on. You are the reason our community continues to thrive and make beautiful music. 🎶❤️
06/17/2026
There is nothing quite like the pride of tackling a tough new skill and getting it right! Sergio’s dedication embodies everything we celebrate here at Opus 118 Harlem School of Music.
This June, help us keep the music playing for the next generation of young musicians. Every dollar donated to our matching campaign through June 18th is tripled! Click the link below to make a difference today:
Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is now open! There is a place for you or your student in our community. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow your skills, our programs are designed to build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music. 🎶
Spots fill quickly - register today and take the first step toward making music happen!
🔗 forms.gle/3hqcJQqzdPq26u2g7
06/15/2026
Lenox is learning that pushing through the "tricky" parts takes patience and focus, but the feeling of pride when you get it right is well worth the wait. He brought that exact dedication to the stage for a beautiful performance at our End-of-Year Concert on June 11th!
Thanks to our incredible community of supporters, we’ve already unlocked $11,700 in donations toward our Matching Campaign!
Your generosity opens doors for young musicians like Lenox to discover what they are truly capable of when given the right tools and encouragement. Every dollar counts as we push to raise the remaining funds to reach our $20,000 goal by June 18th. Join us and triple your impact today!
06/15/2026
Mason is learning that doing things the "right way" isn't always easy, but the payoff is joyful - and he proved it with a beautiful performance at our End-of-Year Concert on June 11th.
Riding the momentum of that incredible energy, we are deeply grateful to announce that your generosity has already raised $11,700 toward our $20,000 matching goal!
Your support ensures that students like Mason always have a vibrant, creative outlet to find happiness through music. Please help us secure the next decade of music by pushing us over the finish line to reach our $20,000 goal by June 18th!
The details of the night were absolutely not lost on us.
From the months of musical preparation to the concert outfits (yes, down to the very sharpest of socks!), our students and their families showed up in every single way at our End-of-Year Concert.
We are so incredibly thankful for everyone in our Opus 118 community who make milestone moments like these possible.
Help us keep these moments alive for another 35 years! Click the link below to donate to our matching campaign by June 18th, where your gift will be automatically triple-matched. Let's bring that winning NY energy home, Knicks in 5, and Opus 118 for the next 35! 🗽❤️
The energy at yesterday's End-of-Year Concert was unmatched!
A huge thank you to our phenomenal young musicians and faculty. Everyone pictured here worked incredibly hard to put on such a great show. We’re still buzzing - and we'll be sharing our favorite moments all week long!
Our community showed up in a big way, making it a fantastic kickoff for our matching campaign. From now until June 18th, every dollar donated goes three times as far toward our $20,000 goal to fund scholarships, instruments, and teacher development.
This incredible match is possible thanks to the generosity of The Joe Lewis Jefferson Foundation, The Michael and Pamela Miles Fund, and New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Let’s leverage our storied history to keep music education alive and accessible in our neighborhood. Please give today to triple your impact:
Beyond our daily needs for breath and water, there is the joy of sharing music that feeds the soul.
There is something truly remarkable that happens when nearly 200 young violinists fill a stage together, surrounded by faculty, family, friends, and other Opus 118 supporters. This year's concert marks the return of a decades-old tradition, representative of our 35-year musical legacy.
Whether you are a long-time friend of Opus 118 or joining us for the very first time, we can't wait to see you there!
📍 St. Paul's and St. Andrew's Methodist Church - 263 W 86th St, NYC
📅 Thursday, June 11th at 6:00 PM
🎟️ Free and open to all
05/05/2026
The Spring 2026 issue of OpusNotes is live! Whether you’re working on your bow hold or aiming for the big stage, there’s something in here for every member of the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music community.
06/22/2026
06/17/2026
06/16/2026
06/15/2026
06/15/2026
06/13/2026
05/29/2026
05/05/2026