Programs — zrhfoundation.org

Sharing the Power of Live Music

We live and breath live music. We fervently believe in its ability to bring people together through rituals of joyful revelry and communal celebration. We consider it a vital, essential resource for happy and healthy communities. And we think its as important now as ever. So we are very proud to be a fiscal and in-kind sponsor of the Levitt Amp Springfield 2025 summer concert series bringing 10 free outdoor concerts to downtown Springfield.

As the city’s premier live music event, we brought our industry connections and experience to the table to support with lineup curation and talent buying for the summer series. Soul legend Lee Fields & The Expressions, New Orleans Mardis Gras funk ensemble The Rumble, and Delta blues scion Cedric Burnside will all bring their own unique sounds to the Levitt Amp Springfield stage. See you on the dance floor!

Youth Music Education

As part of Youth Arts & Culture Education programming, the ZRH Foundation has partnered Music Therapy Connections and The Fleming Academy of Performing Arts to provide music therapy and education scholarships to students enrolled in their programming. With our financial support, students have access to a full year of music lessons, workshops, and mentorship.

Jackson Kelly is a 6-year old violinist at the Fleming Academy of Performing Arts in Springfield, IL where he has taken lessons for the last two years. The ZRH Foundation has made a commitment to fund a full year of Jackson’s ongoing music education.

Seth Roy is a 6 year old student at Music Therapy Connections in Springfield, IL. With the support of the ZRH Foundation, Seth is receiving a full year of weekly music therapy and education from his instructor Molly.

Youth Music Mentorship & Performance

As part of our mission to support local, live arts and culture The Zachary Ryan Harris Foundation is a proud supporter of the Forest Grove High School Mariachi Tradicion. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Mariachi Tradición's 10th Anniversary—a decade of music, culture, and community. Founded in 2015 by Lesslie Nuñez in the Forest Grove School District, this dynamic, audition-based ensemble has become a cherished group in the Portland Metropolitan Area. Featuring violins, trumpets, guitars, vihuela, guitarron, harp, and powerful vocals, Mariachi Tradición showcases the talent and dedication of its student musicians.

As the program has grown over the years, with our support the Mariachi Tradición has had the honor of being invited to be the opening act for Latin Grammy Award-winning artists such as La Santa Cecilia, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, and Mariachi Los Camperos on some of the most prestigious stages in Oregon. The group has been featured as performers at the nationally acclaimed Portland Jazz Festival and Pickathon Immersive Music Festival.

To mark this special anniversary milestone, we are thrilled to welcome the incredible Las Cafeteras—an East-LA band that has toured the world with their unique blend of traditional folk, Afro-Mexican rhythms & cumbia, all inspired by their immersion in Son Jarocho & Zapateado dance. The evening will also feature collaborations with Ballet Folklorico Mexico en la Piel Academia, students from the broader Forest Grove mariachi program and alumni of Mariachi Tradición. The night will be full of surprises and collaborations.

Don’t miss this special anniversary event, an unforgettable night of music, dance, and celebration presented by The Zachary Ryan Harris Foundation.

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Youth Dance Education

The ZRH Foundation has partnered with Radiate Dance of Springfield, IL to offer scholarship funding to students enrolled in various styles of dance education. Radiate is a premier dance school dedicated to providing high-quality dance education to students of all ages and levels. Their experienced instructors and focus on continuing education ensure that students receive the best possible dance education. In addition to scholarships for individual students, we’re also funding a 2-day summer dance workshop for 30 kids from across the Springfield area.

Youth Literary Education

As part of Youth Arts & Culture Education programming, the ZRH Foundation has partnered with local author Kathy Lamsargis to distribute copies of Marbles in a Fishbowl to under-served students at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Springfield, IL. With our support, Kathy and the teacher were able to facilitate a presentation along with readings and discussion sessions with the students who could then take their own copies home to read along with family members.

Marbles in a Fishbowl offers many gems of wisdom and speaks to children, parents, and grandparents. In the back pages, the author shares family recipes and study questions for use with children so readers may build their own memories and come away with a deeper understanding. A profound, abiding love graces the pages of this book, leaving readers with a wistful sense of longing for days on the river with grandparents whose very presence enriches the lives of their descendants.