About us

Built by students who know what music can change.

Notes for Neighbours is led by Aarez Muhammad and Praveer Bal, two neuroscience students who grew up playing instruments and kept noticing the same barrier: many kids never get the chance to begin because the instrument itself is out of reach.

Aarez Muhammad and Praveer Bal holding a one thousand dollar donation cheque for Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation — Aarez Muhammad, left, and Praveer Bal, right, after raising $1,000 for music therapy at Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

Meet the cofounders

Two neuroscience students, two instruments, one shared gap to bridge.

Left

Aarez Muhammad

Aarez is a neuroscience student and pianist. His background in music and brain science shapes the initiative's focus on how music can support learning, confidence, and wellbeing.

Right

Praveer Bal

Praveer is a neuroscience student and guitarist. He helped build Notes for Neighbours to turn community support into a practical path for students who need instruments.

Our mission

Music access is not just an app problem. It is a community problem.

Music programs can be expensive before a student ever plays their first note. Instruments, repairs, lessons, transportation, and confidence all become barriers. Aarez and Praveer started Notes for Neighbours after seeing kids miss out on music because families could not afford the tools to participate.

Before launching the app, they gave presentations at middle schools about the neurological benefits of music therapy and raised $1,000 for music therapy at the children's hospital. The next step is direct access: getting real instruments into kids' hands.

$1,000 raised for music therapy at the children's hospital

Middle schools visited with presentations on music therapy and the brain

Now launching the app to move from awareness to instrument access

What we are building

A bridge between unused instruments and young musicians.

Access

Students and families can request help without navigating a maze.

Education

Music therapy presentations help kids understand why music matters.

Stewardship

Donated instruments are reviewed before being matched with need.

Momentum

The app turns interest, donations, and volunteer support into action.

How it works

From unused instrument to first lesson.

A donor submits an instrument

Photos, condition notes, area, and pickup preferences are collected.

The team reviews the submission

Admin review keeps listings useful, safe, and appropriate.

A student or family applies

Applicants can browse approved instruments or request support.

A young musician gets started

Volunteers, lessons, and community support help the journey last.

Curious what the app experience looks like?

Try a lightweight preview of the core Notes for Neighbours flows.

Try our app Donate an Instrument Request an Instrument

Help us get more instruments into kids' hands.

Email the team about instrument donations, school presentations, hospital fundraising, partnerships, or volunteering.

notes4neighbours@gmail.com