Giving children greater access to music

Valley residents Hao and Michelle Wang consider giving as part of their civic responsibility and are committed to enhancing our community through music.

In 2014, Hao and Michelle joined MIM’s Circle of Friends, and their generosity has since expanded to support the museum’s Junior Museum Guide program and recent special exhibition Ancient Musical Treasures from Central China: Harmony of the Ancients from the Henan Museum through the Hao and Michelle Wang Foundation.

“Education doesn’t just happen in the classroom,” says Hao. “Students learn a lot at museums. Through the Junior Museum Guide program, I hope students are inspired and develop an appreciation for the diverse displays and instruments while touring MIM.”

The Wangs believe the Junior Museum Guide program not only teaches students (grades 6–12) about global music and cultures but also builds leadership and public-speaking skills. The Hao and Michelle Wang Foundation hosts a string music competition annually for children up to twelve years old. Through the competition, the couple strive to impact youth and encourage them to realize how music can enhance one’s life.

Hao and Michelle were proud to share their heritage through the Ancient Musical Treasures from Central China special exhibition. “It meant a lot to have historic instruments and artifacts, some going back as far as nine thousand years, from our culture on display at MIM,” says Michelle.

MIM is deeply grateful to the Wangs for their devoted support of the museum and the Phoenix community, as well as their dedication to showing youth how music can enrich young lives.