Music Will, the largest non-profit music education program in the United States, has announced its highly anticipated annual benefit event. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 at Gotham Hall in New York City, this year’s benefit will honor Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and composer Wyclef Jean for his contributions to music and dedication to expanding access to music education.

Wyclef Jean, known for his trailblazing career both as a solo artist and as a member of the legendary group The Fugees, has been a transformative figure in the music industry for over two decades. His 1996 album The Score with The Fugees remains a cultural touchstone, and his eight solo albums have collectively sold nearly nine million copies worldwide. Beyond his music success, Jean has been a dedicated advocate for music education, working with Music Will since 2022 to provide instruments, music curriculum, and training to schools across New Jersey and Brooklyn.

The benefit, presented by the Hot Topic Foundation, will feature special guest performances, a silent auction, and remarks from key supporters in the arts and education communities. The event will raise essential funding for Music Will’s mission to provide free instruments, teacher training, and multi-genre music education programs to public schools nationwide. The organization has already impacted nearly two million students, donating over 100,000 instruments to date and maintaining a presence in 6,000 schools across all 50 states.

Music Will CEO Mike Wasserman expressed enthusiasm about this year’s honoree:“We’re thrilled to celebrate Wyclef Jean’s incredible contributions to music and his unwavering commitment to music education. His dedication to empowering young musicians perfectly aligns with our mission to provide every student with access to a transformative music program. This benefit will be a testament to the power of music in shaping young lives.”

Jean himself spoke about the significance of his involvement: “Music changed my life, and I know firsthand how important it is to provide young people with the tools to tell their stories through music. I’m honored to continue my work with Music Will, expanding access to music education for students in New Jersey and New York. We’re giving the next generation the chance to find their voice.”

This year’s benefit is a key milestone in Music Will’s long-term goal of reaching 11 million students annually over the next five years. With its Music as a Second Language® pedagogy, the organization plans to ensure that 40% of music students nationwide will be taught by educators influences by its teaching methods.

Past Music Will benefits have recognized esteemed artists such as Josh Groban, Andra Day, Rhiannon Giddens, Babyface, Tom Morello, Idina Menzel, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, and Usher. The event has also hosted performances by icons like Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, and Alice Cooper.

The benefit will include an online silent auction featuring exclusive music memorabilia and experiences, with proceed directly supporting Music Will’s programs. Tickets for the event are available at www.musicwill.org/benefit.

For more information about Music Will, its programs, and how to support music education, visit www.musicwill.org.

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ABOUT MUSIC WILL

Founded in 2002 as Little Kids Rock, Music Will is now the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the U.S. The organization has provided teacher training, curriculum, and instruments to over 6,000 schools, impacting 1.8 million students. Its inclusive modern band curriculum spans genres such as rock, hip-hop, pop, R&B, Latin, and country, ensuring accessibility for students of all backgrounds.

ABOUT WYCLEF JEAN

Wyclef Jean is a three-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and composer. A founding member of The Fugees, Jean has sold millions of albums worldwide and worked across various industries, including film scoring, technology, and philanthropy. He has partnered with Music Will to support music education initiatives in underprivileged communities, particularly in his home state of New Jersey.