Keys For Kids

05/20/2026

Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Ben Folds will return to Raleigh on Saturday, May 30 for a special benefit concert at Meymandi Concert Hall supporting Keys for Kids, his nonprofit initiative providing free piano lessons to children across North Carolina.

05/20/2026

Rhonda Bellamy interviews Wilmington Symphony Executive Director Liz Scanlon about our new Keys For Kids partnership with DREAMS Center for Arts Education. Founded by North Carolina musician Ben Folds and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and North Carolina Arts Foundation, Keys For Kids will expand access to music education for children in our community.

Through this partnership, students will receive piano instruction at no cost, beginning with beginner lessons through DREAMS and advancing to intermediate and advanced lessons, Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestras chamber ensembles, and Wilmington Symphony Orchestra concerts.

Keys For Kids is creating a pathway for young musicians in our community to learn, grow, and perform — regardless of financial barriers.

Rhonda's guest is Wilmington Symphony director Liz Scanlon, who talks about Keys for Kids, a music initiative started by NC musician Ben Folds. The new partnership connects two of Wilmington’s leading arts organizations to create a pathway for students to grow musically.

03/26/2026

12/02/2025

A donation this Giving Tuesday will put smiles on the faces of kids like these!

Visit keysforkidsnc.org/donate to make a difference in a child’s life.

12/01/2025

This past year, Ben Folds’ Keys For Kids helped provide free ongoing piano lessons to over 400 students in rural and urban communities across North Carolina.

Consider making a donation to Keys For Kids this Giving Tuesday so even more students can have access next year.

11/30/2025

Want to hear what the kids have to say about it? Check out this video from one of our partner organizations, the McDowell County Art Council!

11/26/2025

A donation to Keys For Kids this Giving Tuesday puts keyboards in the hands of students across the state.

With support from Casio Music Gear, we’ve been able to donate keyboards to our partners, allowing more students opportunities to receive lessons.

11/23/2025

Students in Durham get piano lessons through one of our partners, Kidznotes - a non-profit that offers equal access to music education with full scholarships and secures instruments for its students.

Support Kidznotes’ piano programs with a donation to Keys For Kids this Giving Tuesday.

11/21/2025

Did you know many of our non-profit partners teach keyboard in group classes? Students learn together with headphones and the help of their instructors.

Keys For Kids provides its non-profit partners with free access to group lesson curriculum, developed by Nathan Shirley with the McDowell County Arts Council.

11/18/2025

Your Giving Tuesday donation to Keys For Kids will provide free keyboard lessons to children who wouldn’t otherwise have access. By partnering with existing non-profit organizations, Keys For Kids supports music education programs in underserved communities across North Carolina.

On December 2nd, you can make a real difference in a child’s life.