Harmony for LA: A Cello Tribute to Rebuild and Heal

Hello, my name is Donghu Kim, a cellist based in the Bay Area, and the founder of Harmony for LA.

In light of the recent wildfires devastating Southern California, particularly the Los Angeles region, I have grown concerned about the far-reaching impact of these events. My concern is deeply personal, as my father travels to Los Angeles every two weeks for work, placing him in close proximity to the affected areas. More importantly, my thoughts are with the individuals and families who have suffered immense losses and are enduring extraordinary challenges as they navigate this crisis.

In response to this, I decided to take action and make a difference. I reached out to my friends and was fortunate to bring together a group of 12 young talented cellists across the Bay Area who shared the same passion and concern. Among them are musicians with experience performing in prestigious ensembles, including the All-State Orchestras, National Youth Orchestras, California Youth Symphony, and Young People's Symphony Orchestra. These passionate cellists have also been participating in esteemed festivals such as Heifetz institute, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Meadowmount school of music. Our collective goal is to raise awareness and provide support to those affected by the wildfires.

Our next step involved recording our individual parts using just a pair of headphones, a phone, and an online metronome. We all virtually connected and set the same tempo to ensure synchronization. After recording sessions, I began editing each part on my laptop, and from there, the video production process was complete.

I am incredibly grateful to these talented cellists for their dedication and commitment, especially given their busy schedules. Some of our members are seniors preparing for college auditions, which makes their involvement even more meaningful. Their willingness to join this project reflects a genuine passion for bringing positive change to the community affected by the wildfire.

Sincerely, thank you for supporting us on this journey. May our efforts bring a touch of comfort to those who’ve lost so much in the fire.

Cellists: Brandon Kang, Ryan Gao, Aaron Seo, Anthony Jung, Matthew Hong, Sophie Kou, Donghu Kim, Florence Wei, Uma Rohatgi, Emma Spencer, Steven Yoon, Jonathan Law