A longtime fan and proud member of the Playing for Change team, Jake couldn’t be happier to help lead this incredible organization. With a Master’s Degree in Arts Leadership, and having worked over fifteen years in the arts and arts education, he has had the pleasure of working with major artists and helping those children most in need around the globe through the arts. Most recently prior to working for Playing for Change Foundation, Jake worked as Executive Director of Josh Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation, helping to dramatically expand their reach and impact. Music and the arts are one of our greatest tools to help kids in need and create social impact. Jake is honored to work with such an incredible group of people and help grow Playing for Change Foundation in size, scope, and impact.
What inspired the inception of the Playing For Change Foundation, and how has its mission evolved over the years?
The inspiration for the Playing For Change Foundation stemmed from music’s power to bring people together, lift up the next generation, and solve the most pressing issues a community in need around the globe is facing. Initially sparked by the global resonance of the “Songs Around the World” series, our mission has evolved to not only connect the world through music, but to actively provide music and arts education designed by and for each individual community, while tackling the issues most prevalent to each community. Over the years, we’ve expanded our reach, establishing music programs with over 60 locations across 19 countries, each designed to teach its community’s unique cultural heritage and create positive change. Whether it be human trafficking in Nepal, gang violence in Brazil, a refugee crisis in Uganda, or the teen suicide rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation, it starts with music and it ends with impact.
Could you share some success stories or impactful moments that highlight the transformative power of music in the communities you serve?
One recent success story comes from our Salam Music Program in Uganda, where just a few months ago we finished construction with our partner organizations on a state-of-the-art music performance and education facility in the middle of the Bidi Bidi refugee camp — home to nearly 300,000 South Sudanese refugees. With brand new music classrooms, performance spaces, and instruments, we have been able to level the playing field for a generation that has had their homes and communities stolen from them. Additionally, as food is running scarce, we bought the community we work with a significant amount of farmland, taught them how to farm in the area, and provided the only oil press in all of Bidi Bidi. In a place where 80% of the population is under 21 and opportunities are scarce, the community around our Salam Music Program has used music to not just save lives, but save futures.
With such a diverse range of locations and cultural backgrounds, what are some of the common challenges you face in implementing your programs, and how do you address them?
Every one of our programs is uniquely designed for the community it is in and comes with its own set of unique challenges. One of the lessons we have learned, and had to struggle with many times, is to first meet a community where it is at. An example of that is in Tintale Village in Nepal, where we have an extraordinary program. When we started our program there 10 years ago, girls weren’t allowed to go to school while on their periods, women had no leadership roles in the community, and human trafficking was a constant threat. Now, girls are in school full-time, women have equal roles in local and regional leadership, and the last time I was there, I even attended a workshop on reusable pads for teenage girls that was at the same time taught to the boys. Additionally, the mothers of our students formed The Mothers Society, which travels from community to community in the region using music and theater to teach of the dangers of human trafficking to great success and acclaim. It’s a great example of starting with music and empowering local leaders to be the change their community needs.
How does the Foundation measure the effectiveness and long-term impact of its music education initiatives?
We measure the effectiveness of our music education initiatives through both qualitative and quantitative metrics, including enrollment and attendance rates, rates of social impact, community feedback, and the personal development of our students. Long-term impact is gauged through the continual growth of our programs, expanding community engagement and support, and the visible changes in the communities we serve and the issues they are facing.
Can you elaborate on the partnership with artists like Ellie Goulding, Diplo, and Andrea Bocelli, and how their involvement enhances the Foundation’s reach and impact?
Working with artists who care deeply about giving back, whether Ellie Goulding, Diplo, or Andrea Bocelli, helps to amplify our message and reach a far wider audience. These artists bring not only their vast platforms, but a genuine passion for our cause — helping to raise awareness, inspire giving, and even directly participating in our programs such as when Ellie joined us last year for the opening of our new school in Jordan at the Zaatari Camp for Syrian Refugees. From our school in Colombia alongside Shakira, to our school here in Miami with DJ Khaled, major artists showing the world the power of change through music is in the DNA of our organization.
In what ways does the Foundation collaborate with local organizations and governments to ensure sustainability and community ownership of its programs?
This is a cornerstone of our work — designed by the community, for the community. Every individual working at our programs is hired from and led by the local community they serve. Our methodology only works through partnership with local organizations and governments that understand the needs of the community, and by collaborating, we ensure our programs are not only welcomed but also integrated into the broader educational and cultural ecosystem. These partnerships help us navigate local regulations, secure necessary resources, and ensure our programs are continually laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.
Could you discuss the significance of events like the Impact Awards in raising awareness and support for the Foundation’s cause?
The Impact Awards play a vital role for all of our programs around the world in raising awareness and support for our cause. They put a spotlight on our work around the globe to individuals that can greatly increase the resources of that work. They highlight the achievements of individuals making a significant difference through music and share the power of culture and community empowerment to transform lives. Not only our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Impact Awards provide changemakers in attendance the opportunity to not only learn about our work, but share it with their own immense networks, creating new opportunities for growth and partnership.
With the global pandemic affecting live events and education, how has the Foundation adapted its approach to continue serving communities in need?
While the global pandemic posed significant challenges, we were determined to continue to support our communities around the world, and ensured that all of our hundreds of employees continued their work. Every community had different needs and solutions. In Bangladesh and Brazil, our programs became more of a food and health supplies distribution organization for a while. In Thailand and Argentina, we piloted highly successful distance learning. For our own fundraising, we switched much more to online concerts with major artists, and had support in those from major artists like Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Yo Yo Ma, Ringo Starr, Becky G, Carlos Santana, Billie Eilish, and many more. Despite the challenges, we were in many areas able to deepen our community’s connection and impact while continuing to raise vital funds for our programs.
Looking ahead, what are the Foundation’s future goals and aspirations for furthering its mission of social and economic change through music education?
In many ways, this still feels like the beginning and that we are just at the tip of the iceberg. Our programs are unique in both our approach and impact, and our overarching goal is to provide music and cultural education for every community in need around the world.
We additionally aspire to deepen our impact at every program we have and will have, not only by increasing the number of students and locations, but continually striving to enhance their quality and sustainability. Ultimately, we have a solution we believe in because we have seen the impact it has around the globe. We all speak music, and it is through this universal language we can bring communities in need together and create change.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
