Community Arts Center

Changing lives through music education

Music Transforms Lives

Welcome to our project page! Let me take this chance to introduce myself—I am Dr. Lynne Picker. Since 1990, our family has served with The Alliance in Asia. In 2007, I founded the Community Arts Center in southern China. Over the next 14 years, over 1,000 students entered our doors to study Western classical music. When COVID-19 emerged, we had to close our storefronts and relocate to Bangkok, Thailand. From this centralized location, we continue to augment our impact among children affected by trauma, who are living in foster homes, orphanages, and rehabilitation centers, through virtual and in-person music learning opportunities. As I meet some of the world’s most courageous youth, their resilient spirit moves me and confirms that God wants me to continue this work. Research has proven that ensemble-based music education opportunities profoundly affect at-risk youth, and participating in a handbell choir fosters self-confidence, empathy, community, and resilience. I want nothing more than to connect them to the power of music.

Handbells in Their Hands Projects

Our “Handbells in Their Hands” projects continue as we launched choirs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, followed by Battambang, Cambodia, and now, in 2025, we are preparing to launch a handbell choir for special needs students at Silver Lining Rehabilitation Center in southern China.

Your sponsorship will enable us to continue our mission to design, implement, and sustain culturally sensitive music education programs for students affected by trauma. If you would like to consider a donation, we will do our best to place more instruments in the hands of more students in 2025!

One hundred percent of your donation goes directly to the Community Arts Center and Music in the Mountains.

Visit www.musicinthemtns.org to learn more.

Music in the Mountains and the Community Arts Center are run by an Alliance marketplace ministries worker who is a long-time CAMA partner.

Have a Question about This Project?

Please reach out by emailing CAMA at cama@camaservices.org.