[{"id":"c8192809-e3a5-4fb4-8346-e1e25583e1b4","program_id":"65874a19-332d-491d-9835-fcccfe829cc4","created_at":"2025-07-01T19:16:14.377584+00:00","site_title":"81st St Soundbooth","site_location":"211 Central Park West","site_description":"Open Public Play! Saturdays and Sundays, 2–4 PM","lat":40.7817553272414,"lon":-73.9720096741488,"pianos":[{"id":"5d9382aa-093e-4c9f-83b0-f29ec3cbf45f","legacy_id":108,"piano_url":"the-rhythm-of-my-subway-soundbooth","piano_title":"The Rhythm of My Subway","piano_year":2025,"piano_image":"https://cdn.singforhope.org/supabase-website/uploads/public/programs/NYC2025/the-rhythm-of-my-subway.png","artist_name":"J.J. Gonzalez","piano_program":"65874a19-332d-491d-9835-fcccfe829cc4","piano_site":"c8192809-e3a5-4fb4-8346-e1e25583e1b4","perm_lat":null,"perm_lng":null,"piano_search":"The Rhythm of My Subway 2025 J.J. Gonzalez This Sing for Hope Piano is a tribute to the countless stories unfolding daily in the NYC subway. Imagine a train car where Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart sit beside emerging artists, all inspired by the steady rhythm of the rails and the unique sounds echoing through each station. Its more than music—it celebrates creativity, culture, and connection. In the heart of the city, melodies rise from unexpected places, reminding us that art lives everywhere, even underground. This Sing for Hope Piano captures that spirit, honoring both legends of the past and the voices of tomorrow, playing side by side in a shared symphony.","created_at":"2025-07-01T18:39:29.995895+00:00","updated_at":"2026-09-10T12:01:24.463752+00:00","piano_statement":"This Sing for Hope Piano is a tribute to the countless stories unfolding daily in the NYC subway. Imagine a train car where Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart sit beside emerging artists, all inspired by the steady rhythm of the rails and the unique sounds echoing through each station. Its more than music—it celebrates creativity, culture, and connection. In the heart of the city, melodies rise from unexpected places, reminding us that art lives everywhere, even underground. This Sing for Hope Piano captures that spirit, honoring both legends of the past and the voices of tomorrow, playing side by side in a shared symphony.","piano_artist_bio":"JJ Gonzalez Acosta is a Venezuelan visual artist based in New York City. He began creating art at age five, inspired by his artist mother and aunts. He holds a B.A. in Arts Education and a master’s in management. After moving to Orlando in 2017, he taught art and origami to children and adults, curated exhibits, and worked with local theaters. In 2022, he moved to NYC, where his work has been featured in Times Square, Chashama, One Art Space, and more. He also teaches art through the New York Public Library and has painted portraits of Broadway actors.","artist_photo":"https://cdn.singforhope.org/supabase-website/uploads/pianos/artists/jj-gonzalez.jpg","public_location_name":null,"permanent_home_name":null,"artist_website_url":null,"artist_instagram_url":null,"artist_facebook_url":null,"contributors_info":null}]}]
Artist: J.J. Gonzalez Location: 81st St Soundbooth, West 81st Street & Central Park West Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 5-6pm
Thursday 4-7pm
Saturday and Sunday, 1-4pm
Artist Statement: This Sing for Hope Piano is a tribute to the countless stories unfolding daily in the NYC subway. Imagine a train car where Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart sit beside emerging artists, all inspired by the steady rhythm of the rails and the unique sounds echoing through each station. It's more than music—it celebrates creativity, culture, and connection. In the heart of the city, melodies rise from unexpected places, reminding us that art lives everywhere, even underground. This Sing for Hope Piano captures that spirit, honoring both legends of the past and the voices of tomorrow, playing side by side in a shared symphony.
Program News
The Sing for Hope Pianos
Sing for Hope Pianos is a global arts program that creates
artist-designed pianos, places them in public spaces for everyone to
enjoy, then transports and activates them year-round in schools,
hospitals, and community centers worldwide. Sing for Hope has provided
more pianos for under-resourced public schools than any other
organization in the world.
700+
SFH Pianos Created
57 Million+
People Reached
8 Billion+
Media Impressions Garnered
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the most important question of all, and the answer is a resounding Yes! The Sing for Hope Pianos are for everyone and anyone to enjoy. Have a seat and play — it’s all yours!
Absolutely. Most people who enjoy the Sing for Hope Pianos are amateurs who just want to have some fun, including many children who are experiencing a piano for the first time!
Seriously, it’s okay. The Sing for Hope Pianos aren’t about making perfect music (whatever that is!); they’re about creating spontaneous moments of community. Have a seat and see what happens!
Sure! Grab a piano-playing friend and bring your mat! The Sing for Hope Pianos are there for you to enjoy in all manner of possible community engagement: dance parties, musical meditations, sing-alongs — let your imagination take over.
There’s no time limit, but we ask all visitors to the Sing for Hope Pianos to be respectful of the people around them. Please try not to monopolize the piano if there are others waiting to play.
Check out our interactive map of SFH Piano locations at singforhope.org/pianos
You can find us on Instagram @singforhope, Twitter @singforhope, Facebook @sing4hope, and by following #singforhope and #singforhopepianos. Find the artists’ bios, artist’s statements, and social media links on their pages at singforhope.org/piano-gallery, and please tag them as well!
Please do! We encourage you and your organization(s) to share concerts, lessons, etc. on the Sing for Hope Pianos as much and as often as you like. That said, please do note our emphasis on flexibility with event start times. You may arrive to a five-year-old’s first tour of the keys, etc. — so you’ll want to be flexible with your start time and mindful of the communal kindness at the heart of the program.
No. We are all about an old-school acoustic vibe (and you sound gorgeous without a mike, by the way). To that point, did you know that the piano was originally called the pianoforte, Italian for soft-loud, because of its gorgeous range of dynamics, from pianissimo (super soft) to your fortissimo (super loud)? So get out there and explore all of your volume levels, but without amplification, please.
No permit is needed if your performance is being recorded or live streamed using any of the following nonprofessional items: hand-held camera, cell phone, tripod on piano or selfie stick, small tripod, and if it is for non-commercial use such as social media/personal use.
Written permission is required from the site hosting the Sing for Hope Piano if commercial equipment is being used, if there is use of the public right of way, if your recording/video equipment blocks the sidewalk, and/or if you are intending to market any of the footage or photos, now or in the future.