Gary Allegretto is a world-class harmonica player who shares his passion through his acclaimed work as a BITS educator and blues harmonica workshop teacher at camps, special events, and festivals. But perhaps most remarkable is the impact of Gary’s humanitarian work, which quite literally changes lives around the world. Through his nonprofit organization Harmonikids, he provides music therapy and harmonicas to children with a wide range of physical, emotional, and/or economic disadvantages. Since 1985, Gary’s programs have reached over 20,000 children globally. His most challenging work has been with child tsunami victims in Indonesia, Katrina victims in New Orleans, and recent earthquake victims in Haiti. Throughout the year, Allegretto is most often found working in schools, in hospitals, and with at-risk youth. The joy and hope that he has brought to children around the world are immeasurable.
