“Finding Harmony” is a 2026 film created by Hellgate High School junior Zori Vandergrift about three musicians who create for both themselves and others while up against the constant forces of defunding the art of creating music. The film was born in a camp through the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival that gives youth an opportunity to create a documentary style film and have it shown at the Wilma. These films were shown on Feb. 22 and included a Q&A with the crowd and the young film makers.
Vandergrift’s inspiration came, in part, from how music has helped her personally. “I think creating music is not only a beautiful and vulnerable way to express yourself but also one of the best art forms,” she said. Music has gifted Vandergrift with both an amazing community and beautiful friends. She said music has also given her “ acceptance in another way, a wordless and genuine connection that is universal for every person on the planet….It’s helped me better understand myself and better understand others. Creating music has really grown up with me and I really can’t imagine what it would be like if it weren’t a core part of my being.”
Not only does Vandergrift have a strong connection with creating music, but listening to it has also helped her become the wonderful person that she is. “Listening to music and listening to live music can really transform a person. It’s helped me through harder parts of my life and through the most joyous times in my life.” Listening and watching live performers is one of Vandergrift’s greatest inspirations. Vandergrift describes music as sort of an escape from the world and it can evoke all of her emotions.
The film covers the topic of the recent lack of art funds that have stemmed from Covid. Cuts to the art classes in the MCPS district have led to less benefit from art and music classes. Vandergrift’s film really touches on the idea that the fewer music programs there are, the less young people are able to find themselves and find a community in which they can feel welcomed and created. Vandergrift’s original idea for her film was the connection of music and memories, but through interviews she learned more about the constant defunding of music which in result inspired “Finding Harmony.” Vandergrift said, “I wanted to use the art form of film to spread awareness and understanding of the music community and its hardships.” This is greatly important since it is common to listen to your favorite artists and imagine what sort of wonderful life they are living in surrounded by creativity and not take into account the hardships they face in the music industry.
When it comes to the visual aspects of the film itself, “Finding Harmony” has many contrasting visual scenes, from a scene with one person doing something simple, to a big group of people listening to a live performance held by the Crescendo Club, with busy kids and performing youth and adults. The lighting throughout the film is warm and golden which I viewed as a symbol of creating music and performing it, because throughout this film the beauty of music and creating is seen as something so precious, like gold.
I was very impressed with how professional this movie felt while still being so heartwarming. The interviews throughout the film and the editing are very well done and match the visuals and message of the film. I am overwhelmed with how “Finding Harmony” was created to be such a great short documentary. The youth program through the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has shown these young creators such important tools and really allowed them to flourish in their element. “Finding Harmony” will be available to watch on youtube by March.
