Co-Founder and Executive Director of Music for Humanity
Oct 20, 2026
Barry Adelman
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Music for Humanity

Barry Adelman was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1949. His involvement with music began when he started taking guitar lessons at the age of 12.

He stopped however (within 6 months), in favor of playing sports. He became a starting player on the New Utrecht High School basketball team.

Upon graduation from high school, he wanted to refocus his energy from sports to an activity he could do throughout his life, even into old age. He chose music and began taking flute lessons.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, he began taking classical and flamenco guitar lessons while continuing to play flute. Eventually he began writing songs. He has donated the use of his original compositions to Music for Humanity.

Barry, after 50 years in business for himself as both a retailer and a marketing consultant, has retired. Now, as Co-Founder and Executive Director he donates his time, full time, to Music for Humanity helping along with others to “pay it forward” to future generations of musicians. He resides in Walker Valley NY.