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 Music Will, the largest non-profit music education program for schools in the United States, will hold its annual benefit on Wednesday, April 9in New York at Gotham Hall. This year, Music Will will honor three-time Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated performing artist, producer, and composer Wyclef Jean. His work as both a solo artist and guiding member of the Fugees has made him a consistently powerful, pop cultural force for over two decades. Since the highly influential 1996 Fugees album The Score, Wyclef has released eight solo albums selling nearly nine million copies worldwide, including his 1997 debut The Carnival.

In 2022, Wyclef first partnered with Music Will to donate instruments and provide a new music curriculum and training for 12 schools in his teenage home state of New Jersey. This important partnership was part of the rollout of the organization’s new name, Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), which also included collaborations with Darryl "DMC" McDaniels in Brooklyn, and Smokey Robinson in Los Angeles schools. Wyclef will also partner with Music Will to launch its program in 10 additional schools across Brooklyn and New Jersey.

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"We’re thrilled to honor Wyclef Jean at this year’s benefit for his incredible contributions to music and his dedication to giving back through education,” says Mike Wasserman, CEO of Music Will. “Wyclef’s passion for empowering young people through music perfectly aligns with our mission to ensure every student, regardless of their background, has access to a music program that inspires creativity and unlocks potential. This event will be a celebration of the transformative power of music and its ability to change lives as we look ahead to reaching millions of students annually through our programs in the years to come."

Wyclef Jean adds "I’m truly honored to partner with Music Will and be a part of their important work, which I was able to experience firsthand visiting a school in Passaic, NJ, a few years back providing instruments and resources for their music program. Music has the power to change lives. It changed mine, and through these music programs, we’re providing young people with the tools they need to find their voices, tell their stories, and connect with the world. It’s an honor to help provide that opportunity to increase access to music education, especially in my home of New Jersey and New York."

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 studentsannually through their direct programs and Music as a Second Language®pedagogy. With this predicted growth, 40% of students will be taught by a teacher influenced by their pedagogy and 1 in 20 music students nationwide will be taught by an active Music Will educator.

Last year, Music Will’s 2024 Gala honored Josh Groban, Andra Day, and Rhiannon Giddens with music direction from Michael Bearden. 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.

Presented by the Hot Topic Foundation, the event will feature special guest performances, along with a silent online auction and remarks from key artistic and business supporters. The benefit will provide essential funding for Music Will’s ongoing mission to provide teacher training, a diverse curriculum, and free musical instruments to students—connecting them with the music that ignites their interest. Nearly two million kids across the U.S. have experienced the transformative power of Music Will’s programs. With a presence in 6,000 schools across the nation and over 100,000 instruments donated to date, the organization continues to make an incredible impact, ensuring that music education reaches the students who need it most.

The event is produced by MBM Entertainment and tickets are available at www.musicwill.org/benefit. Bids for the benefit’s silent auction items—including one-of-a-kind donations from music icons—can be submitted on the Music Will website.