Hearts for Music PA was established in May 2023 with a celebratory benefit concert at the suggestion of our founder Kitrael Chin of Ohio, but had its beginnings in my heart long before.

With my Music Education degree from Ithaca College, I have had the opportunity to work with the special needs community in both a public school and private lesson setting. Through my experiences, I came to realize that music has the power to unite all of us.

Life took me in many different directions and I started a Preschool at Union Lutheran Church where the gift of music became an important part of the curriculum. During the pandemic, my Preschool shuttered permanently and I felt as if I was left without purpose.

A conversation with my husband sparked the idea of an orchestra for the special needs community. After some research, I found Kitrael Chin and Hearts for Music. I was hoping for advice when he mentioned that he was looking to expand Hearts for Music and invited us to join his mission!

Over the past two years, Hearts for Music PA has performed locally at the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center’s annual Buddy Walk and at holiday parties. We traveled to perform with the Kutztown University Orchestra in March 2025 and on April 29, 2025 we had the extraordinary honor of performing at the Jubilee of People with Disabilities at the Vatican in Rome!

Our performances are an exciting part of who we are, but the magic truly begins is at our weekly rehearsals.  Through the gift of music, we have become a family that includes musicians of all abilities, parents and volunteers. We would love to have you join us!

Jackie Bucks, HFM Pennsylvania Director, hfmpa@heartsformusic.org