Rhythm Beyond Borders: How Harvey Price Uses Music to Bring Children Together in the War-Torn Middle East

When Music Becomes Common Ground: Harvey Price and the Peace Drums Project

What if the path to peace started with children simply playing music together?

In this moving episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with renowned percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, educator and Peace Drums Project founder Harvey Price to explore how one unlikely instrument became a bridge across cultural and religious divides in the war-torn Middle East.

After decades as a music educator and director of the University of Delaware steel band, Harvey founded the Peace Drums Project in 2012 with a simple but profound belief: Children are not born with hatred. They come into this world filled with curiosity and the desire to connect.

By bringing Israeli and Palestinian children together through shared steel drum ensembles, the Peace Drums Project fosters friendship, collaboration and humanity that rise above politics and conflict. Harvey explains why he intentionally chose the steel drum, an instrument with no cultural or political ownership in the region, and how music creates emotional space where conversation often cannot.

At a time when violence and division continue to dominate the lives of children in the Middle East, this conversation feels especially urgent. Harvey reflects on why peace matters now more than ever and why creating opportunities for children to see each other as human beings may be one of the most important acts of hope in the world today.

This episode explores music as diplomacy, the emotional power of collaboration, interfaith understanding, childhood connection, and the courage to believe peace can begin one relationship at a time.

Perfect for listeners passionate about music education, peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, social impact, community leadership, and stories that remind us what is still possible.

Follow Peace Drums Project on Instagram:

@PeaceDrumsProject

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https://peacedrumsproject.org/