The Manchester City defender is launching a music education program for UK schoolchildren

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has partnered with Casio to help improve music education across the country for school children.

The 29-year-old has spoken openly about learning to play the piano during the COVID-19 lockdown, with the Dutch defender the latest Manchester City star to get involved in local community work.

Ake, who moved to Bournemouth’s Etihad Stadium in August 2020, has partnered with Casio to launch the new initiative, with the UK-wide program launching in Greater Manchester earlier this year.

The defender helped Manchester City to a fourth successive Premier League title at home in the recent campaign and will bid for international medals with Holland at the European Championship in Germany this summer.

Ake has won nine trophies since his arrival in east Manchester, including the UEFA Champions League, Emirates FA Cup, Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Supercup, along with three Premier League titles.

The centre-back spent time at Chelsea, Bournemouth, Watford and Reading during his England career and revealed in an interview with Sky Sports last year about developing a passion for playing the piano.

The 29-year-old now hopes to inspire others and recently visited East Manchester Academy to launch a pilot program in partnership with Casio as six schools in Greater Manchester received a donation of 10 Casio pianos, according to Outlet Mixmag.

The Playing For Change project is said to be an “innovative grant project” which aims to improve music education provision in disadvantaged schools and colleges across the UK.

Speaking about the initiative, Ake said: “Learning to play the piano during the lockdown was a revelation for me. It gave me a sense of calm and focus during a difficult time and continues to bring me joy and stress relief, especially between matches.”