Welcome!
The Danny Wright Foundation of Music is a nonprofit organization, we are
currently an exempt status with regards to federal income
taxation and operations under Section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Our donations will be tax deductible as charitable
contributions to the extent allowed by law.
A note from our Founder:
It is from my real life experiences that I have drawn my inspiration and
through my composing and playing. I have always believed that my talent
comes from God and if I can just touch one heart with my music, then my
prayer is answered. " My Christian faith, love for animals and the
innocence of children have inspired me to perform for numerous benefit
concerts in support of such organizations as the Humane Society,
Children’s Charities, Huntington's Disease, Easter Seals, the American
Red Cross and numerous other organizations and fundraisers. I have
played concerts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness as my mother and
mother-in-law were both Breast Cancer Survivors.
As a musician whose
music is played to millions all over the world, I am saddened by the
declining state of music and arts programs in our schools that include
the learning and playing of instruments, as well as singing and voice.
This disconnect is also reflected in live music venues that are “ key”
to bringing communities together to listen, celebrate, participate and
rejoice, no matter what age or genre of the music. Over the last many
years, I have seen wonderful accomplished musicians and performers out
of work without places to perform. Their valuable art and craft as
“teachers”, along with their “Gift of Music & Love” must be passed on to
our younger generations.
It is my pleasure and I as well enjoy giving back to the community.
Being blessed and honored with the newly formed Danny Wright Foundation
of Music, we hope to bring a program with partnerships to present and
implement music programs and cultural arts for the community “Healing
the planet one Heart at a time. Dedicated to the enrichment of the lives
of All People with the appreciation and understanding of the healing
power of music. Helping people the Wright way is the mission of the
foundation.
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The first
program began in July 2011 in Sunrise Hospital (Las Vegas)
with Angela Chan, an Educator, Pianist for Las Vegas Musicals, “The Lion
King”, “Jersey Boys”, “Phantom of The Opera” and member of the AFM, Las
Vegas, teaches piano to children with catastrophic illnesses giving them
an opportunity to play and experience the healing power of music for
themselves. Angela works with Wendy Fought (Child Life Specialist at
Sunrise Hospital) to determine the interest and abilities, helping the
children to find relief for a few moments in time. Angela is also
proposing a musical exploration program series of performances for this
fall for the children in the unit to enjoy before or after their
treatments.
It is my hope by recruiting more volunteer music teachers to serve,
encourage, and build confidence in a child's life, that they will
achieve and excel in all areas of their academic and social lives
through music and gain through this type of exposure.
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My Heroes were my parents, who gave selflessly of their lives and both
are gone now. During their journey, I became painfully aware of how much
our Senior Community needs. Senior Assistant Living Centers perform
daily such a crucial and important job, doing all they
can to help and care for our Seniors. Most have very limited funds to
enjoy everyday living, many alone, trying make ends meet, as are many of
the centers that have little funds to be able to keep music & other
activities going that help provide quality of life. Alex Christopher
partnered with us and this gifted singer, at the age of 17, has
performed in over 250 shows in Las Vegas area senior facilities bringing
joy, laughter, smiles and sing-a-longs while singing selections from
“The American Songbook”. His performances bring sunshine, smiles and
laughter to many. Alzheimer patients who cannot remember their spouses
names many times will remember words to a song, Alex had one a women get
up and dance who had not been getting around very well for several
years. Again, the foundation looks forward to bringing more performers
to fill the void left from little or no funding for these type of
Musical and programs for seniors to brighten their lives.
For the 2012-2013 year, the Danny Wright Foundation of Music has plans
to roll out a program for selected area schools to re-establish music
and arts in those schools who have lost or gotten their programs
severely cut by providing volunteers, music teachers and performers
working with the school and community partnerships to increase student
achievement through musical production assemblies. Students will be
involved in the planning, preparation, and execution of the production
over a six week period will write and deliver their papers in front of
their classes about their experience. This increases their confidence,
test scores, ability to learn, while teaching them valuable skills about
teamwork and “kindness” to others.
In regards to musical productions, every child in the Las Vegas Metro
area deserves the opportunity to see the Las Vegas Philharmonic perform.
The free “Youth Concert Series” cost approximately $25,000.00 a day plus
bussing to attend. Last year, only a third of our children were able to
experience this program due to lack of funding. I know this is a life
changing and inspirational experience that no child should miss and may
well be their only exposure.
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These programs and this work has given new
meaning to my life and I am
committed along with the foundation to bring solutions and help to
continue this type of work. We will be bringing back area entertainment
venues for our community of artists, musicians and entertainers to bring
quality entertainment back to our communities raising funds to support
these type of programs. Las Vegas was built on live music, meaning real
music played by real musicians and singers, yet they struggle and cannot
make a living today. We want to provide venues where they can be paid on
a regular basis, to further their careers and continue to “touch and
brighten people’s hearts and lives, as only music can, the world is so
seriously in need of this today. Every time we lose a great artist due
to financial difficulties, a part of the music dies and our culture
loses something very special. While MP3's, CD’s and DJ’s are great,
nothing can ever replace the excitement, experience and thrill of
hearing, seeing and experiencing real live music.
If you share
my vision and you are as determined as I to strengthen the
quality of education, music and cultural arts in our community, then we
need your help. Funds are needed for Instructional supplies, musical
instruments, promotional materials for fundraisers and info, smart
boards, audio visual equipment, office supplies and other technologies
going forward that can only be funded by your charitable gifts,
donations and sponsorships. If you have a used or new musical instrument
and would like to donate it please call Susan Comer at the DWFOM
702-818-1142. Help us to empower people while keeping the music and
cultural arts alive in the hearts and souls of everyone for generations
to come.
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∙Las
Vegas Tribute
∙This month's feature:
Angela Chan
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