Benedetti Foundation celebrates five years
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The charity, created by violinist Nicola Benedetti, has so far reached over 100,000 people globally
The Benedetti Foundation celebrates its fifth anniversary this month. Established by violinist and music education advocate Nicola Benedetti in 2020, the foundation works towards equal access to music participation and appreciation through mass music events.
In celebration of this milestone, the foundation has released data on its reach and achievements across the last five years. As well as reaching 100,000 participants of all ages in 137 countries, the foundation has revealed its 15 live Benedetti Sessions in locations across the UK reached 17,000 young people and it’s week-long Residency Sessions have reached around 18,000 young people.
Foundation founder Nicola Benedetti said: ‘Five years ago The Benedetti Foundation began an incredible journey rooted in the deep belief that music has the power to inspire, to connect and to transform lives. As we celebrate the Foundation's fifth birthday, we reflect on the people and the experiences that have shaped this period. At the heart of everything we do is a simple but important belief that music is not just a skill or an art form, it is a language, it is a means of expression, it's a source of joy and something that forges connection and resonates so deeply within us all.’
As well as reaching learners directly, the Benedetti Foundation is also offering training for the next generation of music educators, having supported 450 participants on its Ambassador Programme, its annual free training programme for 19 - 35-year-olds hoping to improve their instrumental teaching leadership skills. The Youth Ambassador is a similar programme for 15 – 18-year-olds, offering an insight into what a career in music could look like.
Looking ahead, Benedetti added: ‘We carry forward our mission with renewed purpose: to empower and inspire people through music; to reach even more communities and individuals; to continue celebrating the diversity and richness of musical expression and to deepen the impact of music on people's lives. 2025 offers us many exciting opportunities to bring more projects, workshops and events to life.’
