Dear friends,
Twenty-five years ago, we did not set out to build an organization.
In the days following September 11th, as Juilliard students in New York City, we were searching for a way to be of service when words felt inadequate. We went to a nearby firehouse that had lost twelve firefighters and sang—not as any kind of program or plan, but as an instinct.
We started where we were and offered what we had. That moment became the foundation of Sing for Hope. What began on the street in front of a firehouse expanded into hospitals, schools, and community spaces, guided by a simple conviction: those who most need the arts are often those least able to access them. Over time, a handful of artists became thousands, and in 2010, the first Sing for Hope Pianos appeared on New York City streets, inviting everyone to connect with their inner artist and experience the joy of shared creativity.
From the beginning, we have believed that the arts are not a luxury. They are essential tools capable of delivering connection, public health, and wellbeing where other systems alone cannot.
That belief was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. As isolation deepened and artists lost their livelihoods, we evolved. Sing for Hope transitioned from a volunteer-driven model to a professional one, training and employing artists as Creative Wellbeing Practitioners and embedding them within healthcare and community settings.
Today, this work serves people year-round in hospitals, elder care communities, public spaces, classrooms, and cities around the world. We have grown in scale and sophistication, but our purpose remains unchanged: every person deserves access to beauty, expression, and the affirmation of their humanity.
None of this would be possible without you, our extraordinary artists, partners, supporters, and steadfast advocates who have helped transform a moment of response into a lasting movement. As we look ahead together, the need for connection, belonging, and wellbeing has never been greater. We enter our next chapter with a proven model, evidence of impact, and an unwavering belief in the essential role that the arts play in building happier, healthier, more connected communities.
Twenty-five years ago, we didn’t set out to build an organization. We set out to share a belief—that creativity is an endlessly renewable resource that benefits us all. Twenty-five years later, after all we’ve accomplished and all that still lies ahead, that belief remains our compass.
It is the privilege of our lives to do this work alongside you. From our hearts, thank you, and here’s to 25 more.
With gratitude, determination, and hope,
Camille Zamora & Monica Yunus
Co-Founders, Sing for Hope
Click here for the Annual Report FY2026
