Mission, Vision, and History
Mission
Lyra Society’s mission is to promote cultural equity through access to harp education.
Vision
Lyra programs will continue to serve a diverse student audience. Committed to music education, Lyra helps students develop the cognitive, social and leadership skills that are fundamental to music, no matter what career path they choose. Through personal mentoring, students achieve their educational and career goals and express their creative voice. The Lyra experience empowers students by helping them discover their talents, build self-confidence, expand opportunities, and enrich their lives and the lives of those they touch.
Why Harp?
The harp’s unique and uncommon attributes inspire a student to sit a little straighter when they sit at a harp. Through art and literature, the heritage of the harp is reflected in our students as they play: their bearing and confidence match the elegance of the grand instrument.
Creating an inclusive community that provides access to a seemingly inaccessible instrument, Lyra treats the mythical qualities of the harp as a commodity for our students: our students will always proudly identify themselves as Harpists. Our united harpist community opens their arms to the unique talents of our promising young musicians. Through our community of world-class musicians, mentors, and friends, our students develop the self-assurance to pursue their dreams in whatever they choose to do.
Lyra Society’s History
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, the Philadelphia High School for Girls (Girls’ High) produced three Principal Harpists of major orchestras: Ann Hobson Pilot who was first Black Principal (for any instrument) in an American orchestra, Paula Page of the Houston Symphony, and Susan Dederich-Pejovich of the Dallas Symphony. Inspired by this once prolific program, Elizabeth Hainen, who was the newly appointed Principal Harpist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, founded the Lyra Society in 2004. She brokered a deal with Lyon & Healy Harps to trade in dusty harps found in a Girls’ High closet for usable harps for students.
The Lyra Society is a women- run 501(c)3 non-profit. Lyra’s mission is to promote cultural equity through access to harp education through its core program, Glissando. Lyra provides harps, harp lessons, and harp presentations in schools at no cost to Philadelphia and Bronx School District students who have minimal access to music education. For Philadelphia students. Lyra provides college and financial aid guidance. Thanks to Lyra’s efforts, 100% of our graduates – many of whom are first generation, low-income students – continue their education in colleges, universities, or conservatories.
Lyra is now the leading model for secondary school harp programs in the country and the sole harp lesson provider for the Philadelphia School District. Because Lyra supports students through their developmental years and keeps in close contact with them as alums, our students have unmatched opportunities to connect with mentors and friends, develop confidence to define and reach their goals, and find their distinctive voices.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Lyra Society is also committed to a work environment free from sexual harassment. This policy against sexual harassment applies to all work-related activities, regardless of location, and also includes the misuse of The Lyra Society’s property, such as telephones and computers, for such improper purposes. All employees are expected to cooperate fully in ensuring that this policy of a workplace free from sexual harassment is implemented fully and if The Lyra Society determines that a violation of this policy has occurred, the Lyra Society will take appropriate disciplinary action against the offending party, including but not limited to counseling, warning, suspension, and termination.