today we've got about 1,500. >> reporter: margaret martin says those 1,500 youngsters learn more thanply making music. >> our students learn persistence, confidence, accountability for the use of their time. ♪ >> reporter: those accepted into the harmony project get free instruments and musical tutoring, if they stay in school. >> it allows me to do things i'm interested in. >> it's really improved my grades a lot and takes me out of doing bad things. >> reporter: margaret martin knows about hard times. as a young mother she left an abusive marriage and lived with her children for a time in an empty office building. >> this is the face of poverty. >> reporter: after she turned her own life around, earning a ph.d. in public health, she wanted to give back something. >> i started harmony project because i saw a group of gang members stop in a farmer's market in front of a little kid playing brahm's on a violin. >> reporter: that kid was her son max. the gang members, entranced by the music started putting money in his violin case. >> they were teaching me that they would rather be doing

margaret martin get in touch with me. >> congratulations enjoy your stay at the white house today. >> disney on ice is skating back to our area holly joins us live from patriot center where you can see dare to dream good morning princess. >> reporter: good morning i am having a hard time staying focused for this interview i have not one but two handsome princesses, this is joe jacobson he plays flynn and james black is prince charming. >> hi. >> i don't know this is your cue to kiss my hand. >> right. >> this we go. >> okay. just like we practiced it. no, so any way, thank you all for coming out this morning. >> thank you. >> it is a pleasure to have you here is this the first disney on ice show for you all? >> you can go first >> chef i have been with disney on ice for about one year now so this is my second tour and i joined last year's tour a little bit late but not like this guy here. >> for me this is year seven. >> does it ever get old? >> no look at what we do it is fantastic. >> it is amazing the smiles you bring to people's faces with you, you have seen lots of show what is d