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USC Research Connects Music Participation to Positive Youth Development.

Research shows why music is so important for students-now more than ever.

Read Full Report Here

Unbox to Play!

A new instrument opens up a world of discovery and joy.

Our mission is to equip, educate, and inspire the next generation of players.

Music has the power to change lives. We envision a future in which every young person has access to high quality music education and teachers are supported in providing opportunities for their communities.

We focus on how to keep kids playing, provide the right tools and support to unleash creativity in teaching and mobilize partnerships with a focus on culture.

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Equip

Ensure instruments, gear and education resources are in the hands of students and teachers.

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Educate

Provide teachers with the tools and support needed to create and deliver high-quality music education.

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Inspire

Create opportunities to inspire communities to keep playing through workshops, activations and artist engagements.

OUR PARTNERS

Ready to Play?

Check out these resources to help bring high quality music education to your community!

Teaching Resources

Learn how the Fender Play App can be used to support learning and encourage practice!

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Become an FPF Ambassador

Join our Teacher Ambassador community for exclusive newsletters, resources, and professional development opportunities.

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Get an Education Discount

Equip your music program with all the right gear, from guitars to amplifiers to recording equipment and more!

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Contact Us

Inspired to collaborate? We want to hear from you, please reach out!

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Our History

Founded in 2019, the Fender Play Foundation is established to equip, educate and inspire the next generation of players.

2019

FPF kicks off with instrument donations to nonprofit organizations, including Adopt the Arts, Notes for Notes, Musack, Boys & Girls Club of Metro LA, Young Musicians Foundation and Hawai`i Department of Education in collaboration with Servco.

2020

FPF launches a virtual music education summer program with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), providing 1,000 middle school students the opportunity to learn bass, guitar or ukulele.

FPF expands virtual music education program to reach 2,000 new middle school students every fall, spring and summer semester.

2021

FPF, alongside seven-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish and eight-time Grammy winner FINNEAS, expanded the reach of its youth music education program with Los Angeles Unified schools to an in-school ukulele program at 10 elementary schools in their hometown of Highland Park engaging 2,500 students over the following three years.

2022

FPF launches a ukulele and creative writing course in partnership with PUEO at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Fender supports Prop 28 to secure arts and music education funding in all California public schools and voters push the legislation through, marking a historic win for arts and music education in the US.

2023

USC publishes research study on the positive youth development outcomes of students in FPF programs.

FPF partners with Sony Music Group to expand Beyond the Instrument Initiative to the Harris Academy in London.

FPF sustains programs and expands partnerships to reach more students and teachers in Los Angeles and beyond.

TEAM

Fender Play Foundation Staff

  • AARASH DARROODI

    AARASH DARROODI

    President

  • ED MAGEE

    ED MAGEE

    Executive Director

  • EMILIA GORE

    EMILIA GORE

    Program Director

  • STEPHANIE PROM

    STEPHANIE PROM

    Marketing and Events Manager

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