Haim Kairy

About Me

I am an engineer, software developer, maker, entrepreneur, and musician, co-founder and CEO of Arcana Instruments. Throughout my professional career in technology startups and tech-consulting for banks, energy companies, insurance companies, I never found a true sense of purpose. Music has always been central to my life, playing, recording, producing, and performing. Without it, I would surely be lost.

Three albums (of many) that were life-changing for me: The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and Mr. Bung le, produced by John Zorn.

Eight years ago, everything changed when my friend Boaz, a music-school teacher, showed me a video of Gil, a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, trying to play the guitar. Unfamiliar with CP, I was moved by her passion and frustration as she struggled to control her hands and fingers. Realizing that no suitable instrument existed for her, we were heartbroken. However, seeing Gil controlling her motorized wheelchair with a joystick inspired us to create an accessible musical instrument she could play.

What began as a hackathon project for one girl evolved into a year of research, working with individuals aged 5 to 95 to develop the Arcana Strum, an inclusive, adaptable musical instrument. We raised capital from angel investors and government grants, left our day jobs, and fully committed to this mission.

Meeting hundreds of people with disabilities and making music accessible to them has made a huge impact on me. I’ve come to understand that a significant portion of the population is systemically excluded from learning and playing music, a body-brain-developing, spirit-lifting activity I once took for granted.

Arcana gains invaluable insights working with musicians and professionals with music accessibility needs. We aim to contribute our resources, knowledge, and experience to create an inclusive and accessible music landscape for everyone.