ABOUT US
Origin and History
Our story
Our story started with a tragedy that profoundly impacted our community but also inspired a purpose of hope and transformation. Compassionate and committed to assisting elementary-aged students with autism who do not yet speak, Ethan Zachary Holder works for the New York City Department of Education. Tragically, Ethan was murdered minutes after seeing his kids board a school bus on October 11, 2022. At the age of 19, he survived for only one day on life support before he passed away. The family of Ethan decided to give his organs as a last act of goodwill, and that decision saved six lives.
Ethan’s passion for music and his ability to connect with his students through this medium inspired us to honor his legacy in a meaningful way. We formally founded The Music of Ethan’s Heart Inc. in November 2022. Our first drive brought in more than $18,000, with $12,000 going to P771K, a school program in Ethan’s NYC District 75, where he worked. With this contribution, Ethan’s legacy will live on at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, where he left behind a legacy of music therapy for his former students.
In February 2023, we continued our adventure by introducing music therapy at P771K. We celebrated the co-naming of a Brooklyn intersection as Ethan Zachary Holder Way in recognition of his achievements to the community. We handed over $5,000 in scholarships to worthy students by June 2023. In addition to hosting the “Harmony Under the Stars” benefit, which included the work of autistic artist Amoko Buachie, we took part in National Hope Day. We donated to organizations against gun violence.
Looking forward, we are delighted to launch an after-school program in Southeast Brooklyn, where young people will have access to mentors and exciting new possibilities. In honor of Ethan, we will stop at nothing to make sure every kid gets everything they need to succeed. The Music of Ethan’s Heart, Inc. goes beyond being just a non-profit; it is a memorial to a life well-lived and a pledge to help all children have better futures.
WHAT WE DO
OUR COMMUNITY
Our community is full of people who believe that the future we all want is in the hands of our children and our children’s future is in our hands. They deserve every opportunity to succeed!
ENDOWMENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Sometimes the difference between academic success and failure comes down to financial resources. TMoEH aims to create equity for educational success through financial awards to schools and school age children.
44 Court Street (Suite 1217-1048) Brooklyn NY 11201
Call us: +(646) 212-1420
Email: [email protected]
© The Music of Ethan’s Heart Inc. 2024 All Rights Reserved.