About Paul Silvia, and Orphaned Guitars

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In 2015, Paul Silvia was skiing with friends in Vermont, and one evening a group of them were in the lodge together making music, Paul on his guitar. A young boy came up to him and asked if he could try his guitar. Paul handed it over, and the boy started to play beautifully. Paul asked if he had a guitar of his own, and he said he used to, but not anymore. Paul handed the boy his guitar to keep—he had more at home—and the boy’s eyes lit up. Paul was powerfully moved by how good that felt—to give a young person the gift of an instrument to keep and treasure.

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When he got home, Paul dug up another old guitar, fixed it, and gifted it to another child in need. That guitar turned into another, and another, and Orphaned Guitars was born. To date, Paul and his wife, Debbie—thanks to the generosity of so many—have gifted more than 400 donated instruments to children who otherwise wouldn’t have an instrument of their own.

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Paul served as a special needs teacher in Fall River, Massachusetts, for 38 years. Though “retired,” Paul is still teaching, working with students with autism at a homeschool co-op. Paul earned his bachelor's degree in psychology, and master's degrees in both special education and psychology. His passion continues to be helping kids become capable, confident individuals.