Updated posts 2026
On the evening of April 13, 2024, the Playing For Change Foundation hosted its much-anticipated 2024 Impact Awards at the Rubell Museum in Miami, Florida. This spectacular event celebrated the unifying power of music and philanthropy, featuring awe-inspiring performances and a high-profile after-party at Superblue Miami that left attendees both inspired and exhilarated. It was truly a night to remember!
Playing For Change Board
Honoring Musical Icons and Philanthropists
The magical evening began with an intimate cocktail party in a bamboo garden accented with lanterns and a wishing fountain and paid tribute to notable figures in the music industry for their philanthropic efforts and impact on global culture. Grammy-nominated artist Ellie Goulding, Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer Diplo, and revered Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli alongside his wife Veronica were honored.
“I know music can change lives because it changed mine. I want to give every young person the chance to use their creativity and talent for transformation,” said Ellie Goulding. “The Playing for Change Foundation makes this a reality in places such as refugee camps where dreams are extinguished. They never turn away. To receive this award from PFCF, who are my heroes of global justice and activism, is an extraordinary honor. I am deeply humbled.”
During the cocktail hour in the Rubell Museum, Goulding delivered a captivating performance of her best-known hits, Burn and Love Me Like You Do that set the stage for a spectacular evening ahead.
Musical Performances That Cross Generations
The night was electrified with performances that spanned various musical genres. During the extravagant dinner, guests were entertained by musical and dance performances by the Young Musicians Unite, a partner program of PFCF, DJ and producer Note Marcato, and the dynamic Hip-Hop Kidz, who performed a thrilling mashup of the honorees’ music.
Music education has an unusually well-documented evidence base for a cause area that often gets funded on sentiment. Longitudinal studies have linked sustained instrumental training in childhood to measurable gains in language processing and executive function, and school-based programmes correlate with improved attendance and completion rates. The effects are strongest where instruction is consistent over years rather than delivered as a one-off intervention — which is the harder and less photogenic thing to fund, and the reason organisations with permanent local teaching staff are worth distinguishing from those running visits.
“It’s very humbling to receive this acknowledgment from the Playing For Change Foundation,” said Diplo. “Music has the incredible ability to break down barriers and uplift people, and I’m proud to stand alongside fellow artists in using our platforms to make a difference.”
The celebration continued into the night with an after-party in collaboration with MGM+ at Superblue, where Diplo and Grammy-nominated duo SOFI TUKKER kept the energy high with their electrifying DJ sets until the wee hours of the night. The gallery space was transformed into a luxe nightclub replete with an underlit dance floor to set the mood.
Guests enjoyed bespoke cocktails and a customized Asian stir fry buffet and a customized nitrogen ice cream creations to fuel revelers into the night.
Global Impact and a Catalyst for Change
Jake Groshong, CEO of the Playing For Change Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s significant global impact in his speech. With operations in over 60 locations across 21 countries, PFCF has positively impacted more than 40,000 lives, employing over 300 staff, teachers, and community leaders worldwide. The event also featured an online charity auction offering unique experiences, with proceeds supporting PFCF’s mission to foster social and economic change through music and arts education.
Unwavering Support and a Vision Brought to Life
The success of the 2024 Impact Awards would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication and support of PFCF’s esteemed co-chairs, Whitney Kroenke Silverstein and Nick Silverstein; Karolina Kurkova and Archie Drury; Sandra and Howard Hoffen, who played pivotal roles in orchestrating this unforgettable evening. Their commitment, alongside the efforts of the organization’s prestigious host committee members including Randi Wolfson and Chris Adamo; Ginger Harris and Jorge Camaraza; Ann Kroenke; Erica and Mark Mutchnik; James Provencher and Craig Baldino; John G. Shedd IV and Mike Lundberg; Ronnie Madra; Linda and Tom Rizk; Pamela Silva; and Ana and Sean Wolfington, has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. PFCF is also profoundly grateful to this year’s partners: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Behringer, and Counter Forced Labor Technology. Their significant contributions have not only enriched this event but have also bolstered PFCF’s local Miami programs and its music programs globally.
Archie Drury & Karolina KurkovaDiplo & Ellie Goulding
Join the Movement
The Playing For Change Foundation continues to prove that music is a universal language that can unite people, inspire hope, and create change. For those who missed the live event, the spirit of the night and its message will resonate long after the last note has faded. The foundation invites individuals and communities worldwide to join their movement and make a difference through music.
To learn more about the Playing For Change Foundation and how you can participate in their initiatives, visit their official website at PlayingForChange.org/Impact.
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Playing For Change honours Ellie Goulding, Diplo and Andrea Bocelli at its 2024 Impact Awards in Miami, with performances and an after-party at Superblue.
