Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitrael Chin.
Hi Kitrael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There was a beautiful symphony concert years ago in which there was a little girl with developmental disabilities who was clearly moved by the music. This young lady excitedly clapped with joy at the end of the beautiful concert and loudly proclaimed to her parents that she was going to perform music on stage just like the orchestra members. Her parents replied back with a smile and replied “That would be great!”
I was struck by both the notes of optimism and sadness in her parents’ voices. While her parents were expressing happiness that their daughter was so moved by the orchestra and its performance to want to aspire to be like them, there was also a sense of sadness from the realization that their daughter in all likelihood would not be able to fulfill her dreams of being a musician performing in an ensemble given her apparent disability. The odds were against her that for that particular desire. And so Hearts For Music was born out of that incident. The foundation was laid in 2016, and Hearts For Music was granted 501c3 non-profit status in 2017.
Hearts For Music Inc is headquartered in Mantua, Ohio USA, and we are proud to be the world’s first special needs orchestra that is a birth to death model of inclusion. There is no age limit in either direction, no disability restriction and no audition process.. Utilizing a combination of keyboards, iPads and acoustic instruments, our beloved HFM musicians perform a massive repertoire spanning classical to jazz. At Hearts For Music, Inc we believe that no disability is too profound to stand in the way of one’s desire to create and perform music. Our ambitious mission is the unification of special needs/disabilities around the globe in the joy of performing music together with others. With genuine compassion, love, and patience, we aim to show that disabilities can be transformed into abilities in simple yet remarkable ways.
Hearts For Music has had remarkable achievements in the past. Most notably, in April 2025 we were invited to perform at the Vatican, Italy at their request, as part of Jubilee celebrations for those with disabilities. We have appeared on EWTN and other new outlets. Hearts For Music has several groups/locations within Ohio and Pennsylvania and more are being added each year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No it has not been entirely smooth. Some the struggles included making the general public aware of Hearts For Music in the beginning. We had very little money to begin our endeavor. Other struggles included finding talented musicians who in additional to having a great love for those with disabilities also had the technical expertise in directing and leading various HFM groups in various locations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, as the current President and Founder of Hearts For Music, I am also a Board Certified Music Therapist since 2000. I currently run my own music therapy business Musical Fingers LLC which serves NE Ohio. I have had the privilege of working with the entire life spectrum from neonatal pediatrics to senior adults with developmental disabilities. A population that is especially precious to me are those in hospice or who are terminally ill. I do hold a specialty certificate in end-of-life care Music Therapy. With the help of modern technology, Hearts For Music is attempting to engage those with terminal illness or who are unable to leave their hospital rooms/bedrooms and bring the joy of performing via Wifi connectivity. Hearts For Music is the only ensemble that is a birth to death model of inclusion, and we are the only special needs ensemble to include those who are experiencing end-of-life.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Hearts For Music is always looking to collaborate with professional symphonies or ensembles. We have had the opportunity to perform with the Akron Symphony Quartet and the Kutztown University Orchestra to name a few. We have also performed on stage with dancers who themselves are disabled in Akron. As a 501c3 charity, we are also dependent on kind donations from the public and businesses to help us grow and reach more families with loved ones with disabilities/special needs. Those who are interested in collaborating with us, volunteering their time and hearts and supporting us can contact us via our website www.heartsformusic.org or email info@heartsformusic.org.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartsformusic.org
- Instagram: heartsformusicohio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartsformusic
