Manchester City’s Nathan Aké is launching a music education initiative for underprivileged schools

Manchester City footballer Nathan Aké has teamed up with Casio to launch a new music education initiative, Playing For Change.

The first initiative of its kind will see digital pianos donated to some of the UK’s most disadvantaged schools, which are facing a lack of funding in their music departments.

The pilot program was first launched in February with the donation of 10 Casio pianos to six Manchester schools identified as being in critical need by national music charity Restore The Music.

Among the recipient schools was East Manchester Academy, located in “one of the most deprived areas of the city”, which received two Casio CDP-S110 digital pianos, hand-delivered by the footballer.

The initiative will now expand to the UK, with the aim of donating two pianos every month to disadvantaged schools and colleges across the country for a year.

Aké, who plays for both Premier League club Manchester City and the Netherlands national football team, learned to play the piano during the first Covid-19 lockdown and testifies to its many benefits, including improved mental wellbeing and an increased focus and discipline.

“Learning to play the piano has given me so many positives – from supporting my mental health to helping me retire from football,” said Aké. “With Restore The Music’s support, some of Manchester’s most disadvantaged children will have the chance to enjoy the same benefits of music education that they may not have had before.”

According to the press release, the participating schools will all receive an 88-key, weighted portable digital piano – the Casio CDP-S110 – which comes with a stand, headphones and additional sustain pedal.

Neil Evans, head of Casio EMI, added: “Music has the power to improve the lives of people from all walks of life and should not be the privilege of a few. Working with Nathan, who understands the benefits of learning the piano, complements our wellbeing, health and education initiative to bring access to music to even more young people.”

UK registered educational institutions can apply for the program here.

Watch a video about the Playing For Change project below.