For the fourth consecutive year, Eve’s Fund is proud to support the Heartbeat Music Project Summer Academy bringing tuition-free music and Diné (Navajo) cultural education to young people on the Navajo Nation.

This summer, 60 Diné students in grades K–12 participated in Heartbeat’s two-week Summer Academy at Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Young musicians came together to learn, make music, build confidence, and celebrate Diné language and culture.

Students studied a variety of instruments with professional teaching artists and participated in private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, music studies, and cultural education. The Summer Academy concluded with a community concert where students shared what they had learned.

But Heartbeat is about much more than music lessons.

One Heartbeat student, Aspyn K., captured the importance of the program perfectly:

“Heartbeat is focused on bringing equitable music education to rural communities on the rez.”

A Gift of Music in Eve’s Dad—Bob Crowell’s Memory

Eve’s Fund first supported the Heartbeat Music Project in 2023 with a gift in memory of Robert M. Crowell, MD—Eve’s father and co-founder of Eve’s Fund.

Bob was an accomplished pianist and lifelong music lover. He believed strongly in education and devoted much of his retirement to creating opportunities for young people living on the Navajo Nation.

Music was also an important bond between Bob and Eve. Eve began playing the piano as a child, and some of our family’s most treasured memories are of Eve and her dad making music together.

If Bob had known about the Heartbeat Music Project during his lifetime, we know he would have loved it. Children discovering their abilities, building confidence, celebrating Diné culture, and experiencing the joy of making music—it brings together so many of the things he valued.

We can almost see Bob smiling.

Supporting the Heartbeat Music Project in his memory just feels right.

Music, Culture, and Confidence

All Heartbeat programs are free to participating students. The organization provides tuition, instruments, food, and transportation, helping remove barriers that might otherwise prevent young people in rural Navajo communities from participating.

This year, Eve’s Fund again contributed $2,000 to support the Heartbeat Music Project. We are grateful to our Friends of Eve’s Fund whose generosity makes our continued support possible.

For us, the joy and concentration on the students’ faces say so much.

We are proud to continue supporting the Heartbeat Music Project and 60 young musicians again this summer. And yes, we are quite sure Bob would be smiling.

Help us continue creating opportunities for Native children and youth. Your support makes programs like this possible.

You can donate online by clicking the Heart button below. If you prefer to donate off-line, please send a check to:

Eve’s Fund, PO Box 3592, Newport RI 02840

THANK  YOU

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