Icelandic jazz-pop artist Laufey has launched The Laufey Foundation, a charity focusing on making music education accessible to all, especially through youth orchestras.

Laufey, who is a classically trained cellist and an alum of Berklee College of Music, says of the foundation's launch,

“The support and scholarships I received as a child have directly led to the career I have now. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to provide the next generation with the same support and opportunities. I can't wait to connect with the young musician community!”

The Laufey Foundation will award inaugural grants to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, LA Phil’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) program, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and two of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles (NYO2 and NYO Jazz programs, specifically)—all globally recognized and TLF-mission aligned partner orchestras—with a goal of expanding the number and locations of orchestras globally in the the months and years to come. 

AWAL, AEG Presents, and Steinway & Sons have been named as Founding Partners, and Warner Chappell, Catbird, and Gibson Gives as Benefactor Partners from their donations.

For more information on The Laufey Foundation, visit https://thelaufeyfoundation.org.