The non-profit organization Melody Meals is an instrument of meaningful change through the power of offering live music with meals for a population that is too often overlooked. For the past two years, students from the Community School of Performing Arts have been performing at various centers serving unhoused individuals and families throughout Los Angeles.
Want a surefire recipe for enjoyable dining? Add a dash of musical ambiance.
The sweet notes of classical music turn an ordinary meal into a sweet-sounding experience, whether it’s served at home, in a restaurant, or among others at a center catering to the unhoused population. That’s what Victoria Chun, her brother Isaac Chun, and JT Kim set out to accomplish with Melody Meals.
The friends met while attending the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts— Victoria has been playing the violin for more than a decade, Isaac has been playing the cello for 12 years, and Kim began cello lessons 11 years ago. As they got to know each other, they discovered a shared desire to make a difference in their community, and in 2023, they founded Melody Meals. The non-profit organization is an instrument of meaningful change through the power of offering live music with meals for a population that is too often overlooked. For the past two years, the teens have been performing at various centers serving unhoused individuals and families throughout Los Angeles.
“Growing up at Colburn and being surrounded by so much music and community really nurtured us. It taught us to be good performers, but also to be thoughtful, giving people,” says Victoria. “Also, stepping outside of the Colburn doors, we are reminded of the world around us. Downtown Los Angeles is home to one of the largest unhoused populations in the country.
“So, we asked ourselves, ‘How can we use this music to better our community?’” she continues. “That’s how Melody Meals was born, at an intersection of purpose and privilege.”
“The biggest thing we want for people to know [about the unhoused population] is that they have their own story, and this is currently a point in their journey, not their whole journey,” says Isaac. “We’re trying to bring awareness to who they are and give them a voice.”
The trio, oftentimes joined by other Colburn students and musicians, has played chamber music at centers such as the Hollywood Food Coalition, the Los Angeles Mission, and in conjunction with the World Central Kitchen. Recently, Melody Meals received a grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation Fellowship, a non-profit organization supporting and encouraging community involvement by young people. The Melody Meals founders celebrated the accomplishment with a private performance and presentation in Mayman Hall on July 23.
Although the settings for Melody Meals events differ vastly from performing on stage in one of Colburn’s venues, the musicians agree they find both joy and learning opportunities as artists. For example, they’ve adjusted their repertoire based on audience feedback, adding a few contemporary pieces.
“Gus, who used to be a music teacher, gave us this really long list of pieces he wanted to hear, and we did try incorporating them,” says Victoria.
It’s those types of connections that keep them motivated.
“What I’ve learned is that our music impacts people. Music and food are two things people love, and combining those two aspects really helps,” says Kim. “I feel that they value our presence a lot [and] we really enjoy our interactions with them. Those interactions mean a lot to us.”
Melody Meals welcomes other young musicians to join them at their monthly performances, and hope to expand their reach by establishing additional chapters throughout Southern California. To learn more about the organization and see upcoming events, log on to www.melodymeals.org.