Charyn Harris

As an educator, community activist and arts advocate, Charyn Harris has created opportunities that have made a positive impact for hundreds and youth and their families. Serving as Conductor of Music Programs for the dynamic youth center, A Place Called Home (APCH), Charyn is responsible for facilitating an important partnership with the Berklee College of Music's Berklee City Music Network. The venture has yielded scholarships for two dozen youth to receive summer scholarships and five full college scholarships.

Charyn's efforts have resulted in over a half million dollars in funding for education, arts, scholarships and culture to specifically benefit the South L.A. community which she serves.

In 2004, Charyn founded Project MuszEd (PM), a non-profit organization which provides music education resources, programming and instruments to underserved youth, those with special needs and youth living with chronic illnesses. Serving over 700 youth since its inception, PM has created programs and activities providing safe havens for youth to perform and learn. PM has positively touched the lives of many youth and families in crisis in the South L.A. community.

Charyn toured for nearly a decade as keyboardist for legendary R&B maestro, Barry White. Charyn has also performed with a variety of artists including: Malcolm Jamal Warner, The Cranberries, Al B. Sure!, Doc Powell and Luciano Pavarotti among others. Charyn’s compositions have been recorded by acid jazz artists, The Solsonics, dance producer, Robert Clivilles (C&C Music Factory), award winning artists Hassan Hakmoun, Paula Cole and have appeared in both television and film.

Charyn holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music and an MBA from University of Phoenix. Having been recognized for her contributions to local communities by the City of Los Angeles, Charyn was selected by Councilwoman Jan Perry to receive the Pioneer Women Award in honor of Women’s History Month (2010). Charyn is a featured speaker of Berklee College of Music’s PULSE Training Institute (PTI), serves as an advisor for the Berklee City Music Network is a stakeholder of YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), a member of the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, and is a voting member of The Recording Academy. She is active in California Women Who Lead and sits on the Executive Committee of The San Fernando Valley Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Charyn is a single mother and resides in Los Angeles with her young daughter.