Non-Profit Music Will 2025 Benefit Honored Wyclef Jean, Sara Bareilles, Jackson Browne, And Kristin Chenoweth

Event Raised Nearly $1m To Support Music Will's Mission To Transform Young Lives Through Innovative, Popular Music Education Programs In Public Schools

Music Will Honorees Wyclef Jean, Sara Bareilles, Kristin Chenoweth & Jackson Browne. Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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(Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Thursday, April 10 - Last night, Music Will - t he largest non-profit music education program for schools in the United States - held their annual benefit at Gotham Hall in New York City. The evening honored Grammy-winning artist, producer, writer, and composer Wyclef Jean (The Music Innovator Award), award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and producer Sara Bareilles (The Luminary Award), singer/songwriter and member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame Jackson Browne (The Legacy Award) , and Emmy and Tony award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth (The Inspire Award). The evening was emceed by Grammy-nominated musician, producer, composer and author Divinity Roxx and Music Directed by Michael Bearden, following his role as Music Director for this year's Academy Awards. This morning Sara Bareilles said "The evening was shared with musical heroes of mine, but more than anything the kids were front and center...Thank you to everyone who made last night possible. It was thrilling and joyful and soul food."

This year's benefit raised nearly one million dollars to support Music Will's mission to transform young lives through innovative, popular music education programs in public schools. A generous matching grant from The Wildflower Foundation will double the impact of donations made during the event, ensuring that even more students will have access to life-changing music education. With the forward momentum this year's benefit and celebrity partnerships will provide, Music Will can reach their goals to reach more students and kids across the country. Over the next five years, Music Will aims to impact 11 million students annually through their direct programs and Music as a Second Language® pedagogy.

Funds raised from this year's benefit will provide essential funding for Music Will's ongoing mission to provide free teacher training, resources, and musical instruments to students-connecting them with the music that ignites their interest. Jerry Goldenson, President of KHS America also received the Visionary Awardfor his ongoing commitment to music education. Goldenson has long served as an advocate for making music education accessible to all and remains dedicated to changing lives through music by providing innovative, high-quality instruments that are accessible and affordable for musicians and schools nationwide.

Music Will students from Ann Street School and Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy. Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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(Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Gala Highlights:

• The evening kicked off in high spirits with emcee Divinity Roxx taking the stage to welcome guests, donors, board members, honorees and Music Will students and teachers.
• Students from the Ann Street School performed a rousing mash-up of "Las Locuras Mias" and Selena's hit "Amor Prohibido".
• Music Will Founder, Dave Wish thanked the room for their support and shared he will step down as Chief Vision Officer to join the advisory committee, sharing "[Music Will] is building a movement to democratize music education so it reflects the direct students it impacts."
• The Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy Band absolutely rocked the house with their rendition of "Sugar We're Going Down" by Fall Out Boy and "Hips Don't Lie", making a nod to honoree Wyclef Jean. They dedicated their performance to their music teacher Dr. Stephen Sabbot, sharing "I needed to build a life around sound and Dr. Sabbot helped me do that."
• A lively paddle raise auction took place, with The Wildflower Foundationdoubling the impact of donations made. This paired with the silent auction of signed guitars, merch, vinyls and more racked up even more donations for the organization. Auctioned items included a signed guitar from all four honorees, travel experiences, tickets and backstage access to Kristin Chenoweth'sBroadway musical Queen of Versailles, and autographed items from Dolly Parton, Bon Jovi, The B-52's and many more.
• Jackson Browne and Sara Bareilles both nodded to the current Music Will students and performers of the evening. Both enthusiastically declared, "[the attendees] in this room already love you" which was met with raucous applause.
• Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Marc Cohn presented the honor to Jackson Browne, Music Will CEO Mike Wasserman and a charming young student presented to Sara Bareilles, Broadway Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell presented the honor to Kristin Chenoweth and Wyclef Jean's childhood best friend presented him his honor to close the evening.
• Guests for the evening were treated to several performances by each honoree including a song that inspired them and a song dedicated to Music Will's students. A few standouts were "Brave" Sara Bareilles, "I Was Here" Kristin Chenoweth, "Running On Empty" Jackson Browne and "Gone Till November" Wyclef Jean. Music Director Michael Bearden stepped into the spotlight and led the Big Time All Stars in an incredible performance of "Love's In Need of Love" by Stevie Wonder.
• Emcee Divinity Roxx asked a student 'what does music mean to you?' and she shared this powerful quote: "Music was there for us when nobody else understood us. Music is so powerful and by some miracle helped us know exactly what to sound like and exactly what to say. It is everything, truly. I know I owe everything to music because without it I wouldn't be the person I am now."
• Wyclef Jean freestyle rapped as part of his acceptance speech in six different languages (English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German and Hebrew), citing his own career trajectory "is a reflection of [Music Will]".
• To close out the evening, a group of current Music Will students, Founder Dave Wish, Kristin Chenoweth, Divinity Roxx joined Wyclef Jean on stage as he performed the Bob Marley anthem "One Love".

The benefit was presented by the Hot Topic Foundation, produced by Michael B Matuza and Hillary Capps, and MBM Entertainment. Benefit Co-Chairs were Jonathan Shank (CEO, Terrapin Station Entertainment, a joint venture with Sony Music), and Gregory Hall (Managing Director and Head of U.S. Global Wealth Management, Pimco).

Last year, Music Will's 2024 Gala honored Josh Groban, Andra Day, and Rhiannon Giddens with music direction from Michael Bearden (Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston). Past honorees have included Babyface, Tom Morello, Idina Menzel, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, Usher, Steven Van Zandt, Mavis Staples, Joan Jett, Trombone Shorty, Wiz Khalifa, and Clarence Clemmons, among others. Renowned performers and presenters have included Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Brian Wilson, Jack Black, Graham Nash, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren, Alice Merton, Darryl McDaniels (Run-D.M.C.), Harry Connick, Jr., and more.

Research shows that more than 3.6 million students in the United States lack access to music education in their schools. Music Will is working to change that by expanding access and increasing participation in music programs. A recent study published by the American Psychological Association reveals that music students score significantly better in science, math, and English than their nonmusical peers, demonstrating that music is a vital component of academic success. Thanks to this year's donations and generous matching grant from The Wildflower Foundation, even more students across the country will have the opportunity to experience transformative music education through Music Will.

Kristin Chenoweth, Jackson Browne, Sara Bareilles, Divinity Roxx, Wyclef Jean & Music Will students. Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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(Photo Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

ABOUT MUSIC WILL

Music Will is the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the United States. Since 2002, they have provided teacher training, curriculum, and instruments to over 6,000 schools across all 50 states, impacting over 1.8 million students to date. Their mission is to transform lives by transforming music education, while making it equitable and accessible to all students. Music Will's inclusive modern band curriculum is as diverse as the students they serve, spanning a wide range of genres including rock, hip-hop, pop, R&B, Latin, country, and more.

The program's inception dates back to 1996 when Dave Wish, a first-grade teacher in East Palo Alto, CA, began giving free guitar lessons to his students in response to the lack of a formal music education program at his school. What started in one elementary school in a single city has spawned a national movement, expanding to more than 1,000 school districts nationwide. Through partnerships with teachers, districts, departments of education, and industry leaders, the organization is expanding opportunities for students to engage in music programs that reflect their diversity and interests. Their collaboration with over 100 colleges and universities also ensures future teachers are prepared to foster student-led, culturally responsive learning from day one. Learn more at musicwill.org .

For more information please contact musicwillpr@shorefire.com