Concerts for a Cause: Houston Teen Build Connections and Raises Funds with Music

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Tanya Mahesh. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Whether one listens or performs, there is a healing power to music. To connect with the notes can lift the spirits, bring back memories or simply help a person find a moment of peace. 17-year-old Tanya Mahesh knows that better than anyone. She has been a pianist for more than 12 years and a classical opera singer for the last few. She is also a former competitive figure skater who recently tested into the top level of United States Figure Skating Moves in the Field, a standardized series of skills and elements of control.

It’s the latter of these talents, and her desire to help a skating nonprofit, that led her to plan her first fundraising concert with her sister. Six years ago, they used those same skills to create Chords for a Cause, an organization that uses music to improve lives and connect with the community. More than 225 musicians from around the world have put on almost 246 live and virtual concerts. Some have been to combat loneliness in over 35 nursing homes and senior living facilities across the US. Others have raised a combined $29,525 to support people with disabilities, impoverished children, education and relief in Ukraine.

Tanya continues to coordinate and play in concerts as well as mentor volunteers and bring classical music to elementary schools in underserved areas. Chords for a Cause brings joy to many and, if Tanya has a say, will do so for a long time to come.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I first started figure skating when I was three years old. When I turned 11, an organization called Skate Therapy came to my rink that helps those with physical and developmental disabilities learn skills. I started working with them, but I was too young to become a coach, so I planned fundraising concerts for them. My sister and I would play piano. We called it Rhythm on Ice, and it became an annual concert that continued even after I became a coach for them.

Later, when my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had to stay in a nursing home, we realized that there was a lot of loneliness there, especially during quarantine. So, my sister and I, again, decided to play music for him and the other residents. Eventually, we decided to expand to multiple nursing homes, but we couldn’t do it alone. We started inviting our friends, and eventually, it became a big network that we needed to manage in a more organized way, so we started Chords for a Cause.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Chords for a Cause.

As the head member, I keep track of all of the chapter heads. I make sure that they’re planning concerts and are able to get members together for them. I manage our website and blog, and I perform every month or two at the nursing homes near me. During Christmas, we’ll do more Christmas carol-type songs, but we often do pop or older music so that residents can recognize and relate to it. And then we do a lot of classics and classical music as well.

Because Chords for a Cause started during the COVID pandemic, we started virtually. We reached over 1,000 people through Zoom concerts or posted compilations of recordings people would send in on YouTube. Recently, we started in-person.

How did you go from an idea to having international chapters?

It started locally, just in my high school. I organized with our band, orchestra and choir. A couple of us would go out every couple of weeks, but once we started posting on YouTube, we got a lot more traction. Instagram also really helped market us. Eventually people started messaging us about joining, and it spread rapidly after that. There’s a huge network of other nonprofits on Instagram that shares each other’s messages with their own followers. We build each other up.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

I want to start a chapter wherever I go to college. I’m hoping to keep in touch with the team leads and continue the work that we’re doing. We’re already spread across the United States and abroad. Now it’s more about focusing on maintenance and ensuring residents don’t get left behind.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

A lot of patients are experiencing dementia, and the music helps bring memories back. One time, I was singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and there was a resident who started singing with me, and eventually, all the residents joined in. It’s really sweet to see how much music can do. It’s not just about bringing back memories but bringing them joy and the knowledge that they’re not alone.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve learned a lot about communication. When I first started, it was difficult for me to convince people to support my cause. It’s not just about being able to direct people but being able to spread your message and help them understand the importance. Our biggest challenge was convincing people to join and consistently show up. Communicating better helped with that.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

People are often scared to jump in, because they think that it might not be for them. But some of our most consistent members are people who were originally hesitant to join. Just go for it. Get involved, and you’ll find what you really like.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Our first Rhythm on Ice concert started with my sister and me in my living room. Since then, it’s grown to many members across the world. You can start from nothing as long as you have a mission and a purpose. And again, communication part is really important. As long as you have that message, you can do whatever you put your mind to.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Tanya? Find local volunteer opportunities.