WORCESTER, Mass. – Kristjon Imperio, program director at the Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester, knew he had to meet the pandemic with creativity and agility if he wanted to share his students’ gifts with the community — and the world.

And so, his young musicians took part in a YouTube video series called 21 Ways to Harmony in an effort to “unveil and embrace 21 lessons and messages from music.” The students learn the music in private lessons, then Imperio records each of them individually, combining their performances into one video collage.

One particular episode, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, highlights Mia, 14, and Kamden, 15, of Shrewsbury; Eva, 13, of Boylston; Sohani, 15, of Westborough; and Seth, 16, of Douglas, as they performed the traditional Irish dance tune “Drowsy Maggie” from the strings of the synchronized fiddles.

Imperio, an experienced pianist and teacher, refers to the performance as “a standout.” Imperio wants the performances to have a lasting effect on viewers and his young performers.

“I hope that the students come to realize that their work and music has a positive, lasting impact on those who see and hear them play,” he said.

The initial concept for 21 Ways to Harmony came about prior to the pandemic. The idea was the brainchild of Imperio and Pakachoag executive director Sarah Smongeski. They first intended it to be a series of live, in-person events featuring local artists sharing conversation around the arts and community impact on stage — similar to an in-person podcast.

“With the world requiring virtual communication, Sarah and I determined that a video series would be a neat, new way to keep this concept alive during a time when in-person events weren’t and aren’t possible,” Imperio said.

The episodes quickly developed into a form of therapy.

“During a difficult 2020, where conflict surfaced all around us – locally and nationally – the school began to receive a different kind of feedback from parents and adult students about the importance of music-making in life and, in particular, for mental health,” he said. “The repeated thanks and appreciation coming from school families around the importance of music stood in deep contrast to the divisiveness that was going on externally.”

Pakachoag students are predominantly from the Worcester County area. While playing a variety of instruments, Pakachoag performers range in age from 8 to 18 years old. However, they are not the only feature of the episodes, which include special guest artists and professionals from all over the country. For instance, the February 27 episode titled From Music Lessons to Life in the Sciences, features Ph.D. chemist Julia Nguyen, a Pakachoag alum from Seattle, Washington. The St. Patrick’s Day episode included the inspired work and spoken performance of Worcester poet Curt G. Curtin. The performances are also accompanied by a set of conversations and interviews conducted by Imperio.

There will be a total of seven episodes completed by the end of 2021. Imperio said they are based on familiar events or holidays “so that there may be an initial commonality as part of this new series, and to also share a fun spin on conversations.”  For instance, the next episode premiering on August 13, called Friday the 13th, will discuss the development of fears and stereotypes through different music genres over the years.

As the COVID-19 restrictions slowly loosen, Imperio said the hope is to return to more live performances.

“Our initial concept was for this to be an in-person event; so, yes, we are looking forward to sharing these conversations in front of a live audience with the possible addition of livestream,” he said. “When the 21 Ways series completes on our December 31 episode, we close the series but remain committed to hosting events moving forward.”

The 21 Ways to Harmony series can be viewed on the Pakachoag YouTube channel.