If you’ve noticed vibrant, even flamboyant pianos around metro Atlanta, there’s an interesting reason behind it.
“There’s nothing more enjoyable than music,” said Malek Jandali, founder of Pianos for Peace. This nonprofit initiative brings pianos into schools, where they are transformed into artistic canvases before being placed in public spaces, offices, homes, or other schools.
Jandali’s mission is to unite people through the piano, its music, and its visual appeal. Positioning these colorful pianos in busy areas achieves this goal.
“It has a magical way of transforming the community around it,” he noted.
The choice of the piano, an instrument Jandali has played for most of his life, carries special significance.
“Traditionally, pianos are seen as untouchable, confined to the stage,” Jandali explained about the common perception of the instrument. “We wanted to bring it to the streets, where everyone can come together.”
On Monday, this vision came to life at Atlanta Academy in Roswell. Children erupted in cheers as two brown pianos were unloaded from the truck and set up temporarily near the playground.
A group of 8th graders gathered around Aydin Wada, who demonstrated his skillful playing on the keyboard.
“I prefer the sound of the piano,” Wada said. “It offers much more versatility than a guitar or other instruments.”
However, playing is not the primary focus. The aim is to foster community and enjoyment.
“We’re going to design and paint these pianos,” said teacher Stephanie Shore. “This will engage our students and extend our love for the arts into the community.”
The effort is a collaborative one, with Fulton County contributing its own musical flair.
“What we’re doing is not only nurturing creativity in young people but also promoting humanitarian values,” said David Manuel, director of Fulton County Arts and Culture.
Whether you’re an expert or a novice, finding the right note is part of the experience.
“It’s always better to come together in a symphony for peace,” Jandali concluded.
