WHERE WE ARE
RED BANK, NEW JERSEY
Red Bank is home to a historic music scene. The city was home to jazz legend Count Basie and others. But many local families today face challenges. Red Bank has a large population of immigrants and more than 20 percent of the city's children live below the poverty line.
Play It Forward operates regular six-week music courses for middle school children in Red Bank, free of charge, taught by music majors at Red Bank Regional High School's Visual & Performing Arts Academy.
The courses are held at the historic Red Bank Woman's Club and operated with the support of Project Write Now, a community outreach program for underserved youth.
ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY
Asbury Park is famous as the home of the New Jersey music scene. The city has produced legends like Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. But Asbury Park is also home to many families unable to afford music education. Nearly half of the city's children live below the poverty line.
Play It Forward raises and distributes money to fund scholarships for underserved children in Asbury Park to attend the city's renowned 600-student music school, the Lakehouse Music Academy.
LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
Livingstone, Zambia is famous as the home of the world's largest waterfall, Victoria Falls. But while the region draws more than one million tourists a year, most local families only earn a few dollars a day.
Play It Forward raises and distributes funds to operate the music program at the Tongabezi Trust School, a private village school in Livingstone, covering costs for instruments and an instruction for children from pre-school through the ninth grade.
In Summer 2025, Play It Forward instructors will travel to Livingstone to teach in-person courses in piano, guitar, singing, and songwriting and arrange a concert performance by the students.