Obama to honor Harmony Project founder at White House

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The Harmony Project is once again being honored at the White House.

Margaret Martin, who founded the L.A. organization that provides music education and instruments to disadvantaged youth, will receive the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, in a ceremony scheduled for Thursday.

Martin is one of 13 recipients of the annual award, which includes two other people from Southern California: military veteran John Keaveney of L.A., who founded the New Directions home; and Judith Broder of Studio City, who created the Soldiers Project.

President Obama is expected to present the medals at the ceremony.

The Harmony Project was recognized at the White House in 2009 when First Lady Michelle Obama presented the group with the Coming Up Taller Award, which recognizes youth-oriented arts and humanities programs nationwide.

Founded in 2001, L.A.’s Harmony Project provides classical music education for low-income children. The organization is based in Hollywood but does much of its work with youth from the South Central area of L.A as well as other regions.

The Harmony Project is also one of the partners involved in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA Expo Center Youth Orchestra.

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L.A.’s Harmony Project honored at White House

They needn’t pay for music lessons

-- David Ng