Singer-songwriter Ben Folds was back in Charlotte on Friday, August 25, to lead a fundraising event for “Keys for Kids,” the North Carolina native’s initiative that provides school-age youth access to keyboards and proper music lessons at little or no cost.
The event, held at the Charlotte Country Club, was attended by approximately 110 people and represented the first of a series of fundraising opportunities in the coming months to support the campaign. It was hosted by Trip and Laura Park of the Triad Foundation, who have been big supporters of Keys For Kids since the program’s inception a little over a year ago.
The event featured an inspiring Keys for Kids video and words of encouragement from Rhonda Bellamy, a former public radio host and CEO/Founder of the Arts Council of Wilmington, North Carolina. A highlight of the evening was a performance by high school sophomore Kris Wilkerson, a piano student from Arts+, one of seven non-profit organizations from across the state that are recipients of keyboards and funds through the Keys for Kids program. Folds also offered a seven-song piano set, including an improvisation for a couple who won a live auction bid to have him make one up on stage.
Folds, a huge fan of Casio keyboards, invited the global musical instrument manufacturer last year to partner with him on his Keys for Kids initiative. The company, deeply rooted in music education, eagerly donated 35 Casiotone CT-S200 keyboards, especially popular with music educators due to their portability, affordability and versatility.
A silent auction during the fundraiser included a Casio Privia PX-S7000 digital piano, autographed memorabilia from Fold’s early career, and signed items donated by artist friends, including William Shatner, Sara Bareilles, Renee Fleming, Keb’Mo’, Pam Tillis, Kesha and Mo Willems.
Throughout the event, Folds spoke passionately about why he started Keys for Kids, mainly because of his belief that other young people should have the same access to music education that he had growing up in Winston-Salem.
And his hard work is already paying off. Since the program’s inception, 187 youth from the seven non-profit organizations have directly benefited from the funds raised, which have been used to hire piano instructors and help develop an ongoing piano curriculum for the students.
The North Carolina Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Foundation help administer Keys for Kids, and selected the seven non-profit organizations, which have agreed to a two-year initial commitment to the program. They cover the state’s urban and rural areas and work with students who reflect a diverse ethnic and demographic spectrum.
As Keys for Kids meets with growing success, Folds intends to expand his initiative to embrace other North Carolina non-profits involved in music education outreach.
“This first year has been critical in helping us better understand the need and how best to address it through this kind of public-private partnership,” said Folds. “We’re off to a great start, and we encourage everyone to join us in supporting music education in North Carolina.”
All donations to Keys For Kids – financial and in-kind – are tax-deductible. To learn more, please visit www.benfolds.com/keysforkids. To learn more about Casio’s entire portfolio of electronic musical instruments, including Privia, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com.
