Playing For Change Foundation Youth Music Programs
8424 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite A, #761, West Hollywood, CA 90069
About
Playing For Change Foundation Youth Music Programs include activities such as traditional music, dance, modern blues music, African styles of music, traditional drumming, traditional songs, musicalization, rhythm exercises, and language lessons. The programs also offer recording in an in-house studio, learning technological skills, sports, gardening, and participation in community events.
Playing For Change Foundation is a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized youth through 37 programs across 26 countries and territories. Its mission states that it was founded in 2007 to create positive change through music and arts education, engaging marginalized youth in diverse communities around the world, primarily in low and lower-middle income countries, and using local cultural wealth to create educational and social opportunities. Across many communities, its programming serves as the only access point to cultural and creative educational activities.
The Bizung School of Music and Dance includes an in-house studio where youth record and learn technological skills and reaches 90 youth per week. L’Ecole de Musique de Kirina is the only cultural and youth organization in Kirina and reaches up to 100 youth per week. The Joudour Sahara Music Program is described as the only local access point for youth to express themselves creatively and reaches 90 youth per week. The Ubuntu Music Program reaches 150 youth per week, the Imvula Music Program reaches 300 youth per week, and the Mirpur Music Program provides regular programming to over 900 youth.
Playing For Change Foundation works in 26 countries and territories and offers educational and artistic activities that include cultural and music activities in the urban community of Tamale through the Bizung School of Music and Dance. Programa Musical Bogando in Quibdó, in the Chocó region of Colombia, is the result of a partnership between Fundación Pies Descalzos and Playing For Change Foundation. In 2022, the foundation initiated a partnership with La Escuelita del Ritmo in Portobelo, Panama. The Wicahpi Olowan Music Program collaborates with the local organization First Peoples Fund, the Ubuntu Music Program operates inside two elementary and high schools, the Imvula Music Program operates inside 10 elementary and high schools in the Cape Town region, and the Mirpur Music Program provides programming across several elementary schools.
Playing For Change Foundation was founded in 2007. In November 2008, the video “Stand By Me” around the world was posted on YouTube. In 2009, the second Playing For Change documentary, “Peace Through Music,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The Playing For Change Band has played over 400 concerts in more than 25 countries, and Playing for Change has reached 2 billion views on YouTube.
The foundation’s leadership includes Mark Johnson, a Grammy-winning music producer and engineer and co-founder of the Playing For Change movement, and Whitney Kroenke, a producer and philanthropist and co-founder of the Playing For Change movement. One testimonial from Margaret, age 16, from the BidiBidi refugee settlement in Uganda, states, “My life has changed through music I don’t feel like a refugee anymore Music makes me happy! Thank you so much Playing For Change Foundation.”
Last updated August 2, 2026.
Playing For Change Foundation is a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized youth through 37 programs across 26 countries and territories. Its mission states that it was founded in 2007 to create positive change through music and arts education, engaging marginalized youth in diverse communities around the world, primarily in low and lower-middle income countries, and using local cultural wealth to create educational and social opportunities. Across many communities, its programming serves as the only access point to cultural and creative educational activities.
The Bizung School of Music and Dance includes an in-house studio where youth record and learn technological skills and reaches 90 youth per week. L’Ecole de Musique de Kirina is the only cultural and youth organization in Kirina and reaches up to 100 youth per week. The Joudour Sahara Music Program is described as the only local access point for youth to express themselves creatively and reaches 90 youth per week. The Ubuntu Music Program reaches 150 youth per week, the Imvula Music Program reaches 300 youth per week, and the Mirpur Music Program provides regular programming to over 900 youth.
Playing For Change Foundation works in 26 countries and territories and offers educational and artistic activities that include cultural and music activities in the urban community of Tamale through the Bizung School of Music and Dance. Programa Musical Bogando in Quibdó, in the Chocó region of Colombia, is the result of a partnership between Fundación Pies Descalzos and Playing For Change Foundation. In 2022, the foundation initiated a partnership with La Escuelita del Ritmo in Portobelo, Panama. The Wicahpi Olowan Music Program collaborates with the local organization First Peoples Fund, the Ubuntu Music Program operates inside two elementary and high schools, the Imvula Music Program operates inside 10 elementary and high schools in the Cape Town region, and the Mirpur Music Program provides programming across several elementary schools.
Playing For Change Foundation was founded in 2007. In November 2008, the video “Stand By Me” around the world was posted on YouTube. In 2009, the second Playing For Change documentary, “Peace Through Music,” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The Playing For Change Band has played over 400 concerts in more than 25 countries, and Playing for Change has reached 2 billion views on YouTube.
The foundation’s leadership includes Mark Johnson, a Grammy-winning music producer and engineer and co-founder of the Playing For Change movement, and Whitney Kroenke, a producer and philanthropist and co-founder of the Playing For Change movement. One testimonial from Margaret, age 16, from the BidiBidi refugee settlement in Uganda, states, “My life has changed through music I don’t feel like a refugee anymore Music makes me happy! Thank you so much Playing For Change Foundation.”
Last updated August 2, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.