At a house concert in 2013, John Guinta heard the handpan for the first time. The sound was something he could only describe as completely new, a magical, peaceful experience. “It’s almost like a drug,” he remarked.

Handpan music is a small, up-and-coming art form in which the instruments are made by individuals. “There’s probably only 40 of them in Jacksonville in total,” John mentioned. Soon after discovering the instrument and learning to play it, John started playing in yoga studios across the country. Coming from a background working in air traffic control, he quickly fell in love with the soothing sounds and how effective they were at treating anxiety. Those that heard him play had similar feedback, so he decided to take things a bit further. In 2018 and 2019 were the first two editions of a festival he orchestrated called the PanMarco Handpan Show. At these events, people come from everywhere to hear, interact with and even buy these instruments. However; it’s what this movement can do for the individual that really streamlines its potential to heal and change lives. 

In 2020, John started a non profit called Streams of Sound. Within two weeks of the organization's entry into the universe, the universe responded with a contract to play at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital in Downtown Jacksonville. Playing for kids that could hardly be bothered to smile most of the day, he watched in amazement as the patients started dancing around the instruments in delight. The next step was to get the instruments in the hands of the children, which just happened with the first installment of his summer outreach program through the Duval County Public Schools system. I asked him how hard it was to play the instrument, and his answer was “it’s pretty much impossible to make it sound bad.” If you’re thinking that sounds like the perfect instrument for young children, you’re right, as it has no precedent or structure to follow, but instead lets the kids be as creative as they want. The way the instruments are constructed creates a built-in harmonic quality to each note, allowing free-form, soothing sounds to emanate with ease. The next time the public can see these instruments in action is at the Cummer Museum on August 27th from 5:00 to 8:30 PM. Frequently checking the organization's website will also provide information on public listening opportunities.  

At the end of our conversation, John and I agreed this movement has the potential to go national, or even global. There’s something to be said for things that make you feel good, and this does so effortlessly. The more people listen and experience the healing qualities, the more momentum it will gain. Although it’s never a guarantee, something tells me it’s much less a matter of “if” than it is “when.”

Have a positive story you'd like us to share? Email me at [email protected]