Karen O., Mark Knopfler and Nile Rodgers are lending their voices to the D’Addario Foundation’s Immersive Music Challenge.

Inspired by a UCLA study linking intensive music mentoring to higher reading and math scores and diminished pandemic-related anxiety, the initiative aims to raise funds for national music-mentoring implementation and create awareness of the impact of such programs.

“Music education and music as an outlet for self-expression is simply the greatest gift, one that gives and gives,” said D’Addario artist Karen O. Added Rodgers, “To me, music in schools is the most important thing you could ever experience—and it may be one of the best things educators can experience as well.” “Learning a musical instrument will give you a friend for life," said Knopfler. "The latest research has demonstrated how vital music education is in schools. Supporting the D’Addario Foundation is a key to this approach.”

For more than 40 years, the D’Addario Foundation has helped fund intensive music instruction and mentoring programs like the Harmony Project, Guitars Over Guns and Play on Philly.

For more info on its Immersive Music Challenge and to get involved, click here.