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 the Harp?“
Have you ever had the opportunity to sit behind a harp? When a child does, their posture straightens, matching the grace and elegance of the grand instrument. Lyra provides access to the mystical qualities of the harp and music education, which has been limited and historically reserved for the privileged.
Lyra is creating a diverse and inclusive community of harpists and music-lovers. With open arms and hearts, we welcome the unique talents of our promising young musicians, and empower them to enrich their lives and the lives they touch.
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.
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 Glissando Program. Lyra provides harps, harp lessons, and harp presentations in schools at no cost to Philadelphia 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’s core Glissando Program has become a leading model for secondary school harp programs internationally 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.