Joe Elias, co-founder of the music non-profit organization Onomatopoeia in Achrafieh, would happily let the miniature violinist play in the lounge; in fact, he's done so before.
Lebanon needs more music, they say, now more than ever.
At just a few months old, these rooms are already hosting daily private lessons, group lessons, and practices for people between the ages of six and fifty: bands, vocalists, pianists, guitarists, and even fledgling violinists.
Elias explains that programs are adapted depending on what someone wants to do with the music. For the organization's founders, it's not important that everyone who walks into Onomatopoeia leaves it a professional musician; they want to rebuild Lebanon's culture of music, which they believe has been eroded by Lebanon's focus on political tensions.
For now though, by offering inexpensive rates to students and high rates for teachers, Elias says that Onomatopoeia is already making music more accessible for everyone.
People get to talking over coffee, and pretty soon the music starts.
At Onomatopoeia, music brings them together.
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