CLEVELAND — Music heals and melodies mend.
During a national pandemic - when so many are feeling isolated during the pandemic - a group of musicians is hoping to connect communities throughout Northeast Ohio.
Opus 216 is a group of professional musicians based in Northeast Ohio.
Throughout a typical year, the group plays more than 100 events from weddings to packed concert halls. However, 2020 had different plans for the group and musicians throughout the country.
"When everything shut down our calendars were scrubbed and it was pretty traumatic. I had a neighbor reach out to me in Gordon Square and say hey, when the weather gets warm enough, 'can you come play in my front yard?',” said Ariel Clayton Karas. “So we did. There were so many tears of gratitude and people grateful to connect with each other safely from their porches and front lawn," she explained.
After that, the group traveled to front lawns, porches, yards and parks to play music for whomever wants to hear.
"Our smallest audience was an audience of two in the front yard over on the east side."
From Irish fiddle, jazz to classical music and even pop hits, Opus 216 lends their talents to the community with mind mending melodies found in unlikely place around town.
"I'm not sure who is more rewarded by the experience. I think for us at musicians to know we can keep facilitating really special connections between loved ones and neighbors and let people hear some music and take a deep breath and forget anxiety for an hour,” said Ariel Clayton Karas.
The group does take donations when they play and so far Opus 216 has donated $3,000 dollars to Birthing Beautiful Communities - a local non-profit for new moms.