Health Advocates Harmonica Players Make Music in Union Square
On June 21, 2025, harmonica players from the Health Advocates community—both longtime participants and enthusiastic newcomers—gathered in Union Square Park to make joyful music together. The event was part of Make Music Day, a nationwide celebration held twice a year in June and December, bringing free live music to parks, plazas, and public spaces across the country.
Renowned harmonica instructor Jiayi He led the lively gathering, generously supported by Hohner Harmonicas, which provided free harmonicas to everyone who joined in. The Health Advocates group even drew in some curious young passersby, who quickly picked up the basics and added their own notes to the ensemble.
Health Advocates has been offering harmonica classes since 2017, when longtime member Amy Sperling introduced the idea—and Jiayi He—to our community. The program was designed to support lung health through music, and it has become a beloved part of our weekly offerings. Among our earliest participants were Angie Cunningham, Marian Goldberg, and Renee Melanson Brown (pictured below), whose dedication helped shape the program into what it is today.
We continue to offer beginner harmonica classes every Friday at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom, open to all with no prior experience needed. If you’re interested in joining or learning more, please reach out to us at info@hafop.org. Come play along!