'Hero' Inspires Children With Music

The music played at Hollywood's United Methodist church each Saturday is the sound of The Harmony Project, a music outreach program for inner-city kids in Los Angeles.

The project began in 2001 with a belief that giving free instruments and music lessons to kids from low-income families just might change lives. Under the leadership of Abel Delgado, it's working

"It makes me feel really, really happy," says Jaime Medrano, a Harmony Project student. "I like that I'm actually playing music that I like instead of just turning on the radio or something"

Delgado says his goal is not to produce musicians, but to give the children life skills.

"It changes your point of view on the world," student Leslie Cardenas says. "It makes you think, 'Oh, look. I can do something better than other people because I'm trying to do something.'"

Delgado joined harmony project as executive director when he was just 23. To board members, he was the perfect fit.

"The thing about Abel is that if he didn't exist, you'd have to invent him because, first of all, he comes from the same background as most of the kids we serve," board member Tony Silbert says. "So, he can empathize with the kids and the kids empathize with him."

Delgado grew up in Texas, the son of Mexican immigrants. He discovered his love for music in grade school and began playing the flute at 10. Teachers quickly realized his amazing talent, but it didn't make life easy.

"Like a lot these kids in the program, sometimes if you come from the wrong side of the tracks or your parents don't have the financial means to make something happen, sometimes it's easy for you to get overlooked," Delgado says.

Today, Delgado's resume boasts a principal position with the El Paso Symphony and solos with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. But for now, his main role is inspiring kids.

"He's fun because he teaches and he does little jokes sometimes," a young student says.

But no one appreciates Delgado's work more than the parents who hear, and see, the difference music makes.

"It's a great benefit because like we couldn't afford classes for all of our children," parent Maria Elena Burgos says. "It gives them a lot of self-esteem that they can do something for themselves that is really good."

"We could've ended up somewhere else, doing something different and he saved some kids," says another parent, Leslie Cardenas. "Some kids could've been out on the streets and he basically just gave them a lifeline."

Like most true heroes, Delgado is reluctant to accept the title.

"I don't feel like a hero, sorry," he says. "I just think that this is really important. If somebody hadn't stopped and just paid attention, I have no idea where I would be today at all. I mean, music is my voice. It's the only way I know how to relate to this world and I want these kids to find a way to relate. But I'm not a hero, I just do what I do."

Harmony project depends solely on the donation of money and instruments. For more information on Abel Delgado and Harmony Project visit People magazine Web site.