April 14, 2025 I Award
Jerry Goldenson Honored with Music Will’s Visionary Award
Photo credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images. From left: Jack O’Brien, Rachel Goldenson, Music Will founder Dave Wish, Goldenson’s wife Betsey Goldenson and Jerry Goldenson.
Jerry Goldenson, president of KHS America, was honored in early April with the Visionary Award at the Music Will annual benefit, held at Gotham Hall in New York. The event celebrated leaders in music and education, raising nearly $1 million to support Music Will’s mission to transform young lives through music education programs in public schools.
Goldenson was recognized for his longstanding commitment to music education and advocacy for accessible, high-quality instruments in schools nationwide. Under his leadership, KHS America has expanded efforts to ensure that young musicians—regardless of background—have the tools they need to discover and express themselves through music.
Other honorees included Grammy-winning artist, producer, writer and composer Wyclef Jean, who received the Music Innovator Award; singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles, honored with the Luminary Award; singer/songwriter and member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame Jackson Browne, presented with the Legacy Award; and Emmy and Tony award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth, who accepted the Inspire Award.
Music Will is the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the U.S. Since 2002, the organization has provided teacher training, curriculum and instruments to over 6,000 schools across all 50 states, impacting more than 1.8 million students to date. Its mission is to transform lives by transforming music education, making it equitable and accessible to all students.
The funds raised during the benefit will provide essential support for Music Will’s ongoing efforts, including free teacher training, resources and musical instruments for students — connecting them with the music that ignites their interest. With the momentum from this year’s benefit and celebrity partnerships, Music Will aims to reach 11 million students annually over the next five years through their direct programs and Music as a Second Language pedagogy.
