About Evangeline Pabalan, Founder / President

Evangeline Pabalan is the founder and president of Chords for Change, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together young musicians in support of charitable causes. She founded the organization at sixteen after recognizing that the same performances that brought audiences together could also raise money, build community, and serve people beyond the stage.

Music has shaped much of Evangeline's life. She grew up performing in musical theater, vocal competitions, and community events, experiences that taught her not only discipline and artistry but also the power of a shared performance. As she matured as a performer, she became increasingly interested in what music could accomplish outside the theater. Chords for Change grew from that question.

Since its founding, the organization has partnered with local nonprofits, organized benefit performances, and raised thousands of dollars for charitable causes. As president, Evangeline oversees every aspect of the organization, from strategic planning and fundraising to community partnerships, volunteer coordination, and event production. Just as importantly, she has built a place where young performers learn that artistic talent and civic responsibility can exist side by side.

Evangeline is a student at Boston University, where she plans to study Business Administration while pursuing a pre-law path. During her freshman year, she was elected by her peers to serve as Assistant Music Director of BU Bassline to start her sophomore year. Her interest in advocacy has also been shaped by legal internship experience supporting family law and municipal prosecution.

Her work has earned recognition through multiple academic, leadership, and community service scholarships, including the PAFCOM Scholarship, Hearts for Community Service Scholarship, Christian Jackson Scholarship, and Sparta Junior Women's Club Scholarship. She has received the Sussex County Caring Award and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, was selected as a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador, and was nominated for the New Jersey Governor's Volunteerism Award for her commitment to community service and youth leadership.

For Evangeline, music has never been an end in itself. It is a way to bring people together, to strengthen communities, and to remind young artists that their talents can carry responsibilities as well as opportunities. That belief continues to guide the work of Chords for Change.

Quick Facts

Founder & President, Chords for Change

Founded organization at age 16

Boston University – Business Administration (Questrom), Pre-Law

Assistant Music Director, BU Bassline

Multiple academic and leadership scholarship recipient

New Jersey Governor's Volunteerism Award Nominee

Sussex County Caring Award recipient

Congressional Recognition recipient

HOBY Leadership Ambassador

Vocalist, actress, nonprofit founder, youth advocate