We are M.A.D!
(Making a Difference!)
The Genesis: June 2022
The M.A.D. Initiative was launched in June 2022 by Kunbi Osinoiki, CEO of Kunbi's Music Company in order to give underserved children an opportunity to experience the joy and cognitive benefits of learning to play a musical instrument.
Later that year in October, Marco Rivagli and the Berlin Drum Experience (BDE) committed to supporting the initiative by making regular donations to the initiative in order to benefit children in Nigeria. BDE have been tremendous in their support, making it possible for us to bridge the gap in the availability of affordable music education in Nigeria.
January 2023: Acquring the First African Soundbeam
Thanks to the generousity of donors to our Go Fund Me appeal, we were able to purchase the first Soundbeam to be sold to the African continent.
The Soundbeam is an innovative digital instrument that makes it easier for people with physical and learning impairments to make music. To date, the Soundbeam is used regularly in our lessons with children living with disabilities.
March 2023: Launch of our Junior and Teen Band Programme
In March 2023, we interveiwed and accepted 23 children and teenagers to our tuition free band classes held on Saturdays from 2-4pm. The children delivered their first performance at our Christmas concert in December 2023.
June 2023: ABRSM Commonwealth Resounds Grant
We were fortunate to be recipients of the Commonwealth Resounds grant by ABRSM (one of the longest established Music Exam boards in the world) in 2023 which allowed us to expand our services to underserved parts of Lagos State. The funds were used to secure accomodation and musical instruments needed to establish a community music hub. This allowed us to expand provision to underserved schools in the vicinity.
2024: Expanded Provision
In 2024, we adopted more schools and expanded financial suport to families and low income schools in need. A total of 87 children benefitted from music tuition grants that year. We also put one aspiring music teacher through our "Train to Teach" music programme, where they got to earn a salary, while receiving training in music teaching pedagogy and their classical music skills.
2025: Over 100% Increase in Lives Impacted
In 2025, we more than doubled the number of beneficiaries from 88 in 2004 to 178. The biggest increase was in our Special Needs work, with a jump from 2 Special Needs children in 2024 to 90 special needs children in 2025. The majority of these children were from a new school that we started working with in 2025.
2026: Another ABRSM Grant
In March 2026, we got the wonderful news that we had been successful in winning a second grant from ABRSM's Commonwealth Resounds for the Making a Difference Initiative. The grant was used to purchase CMPSR devices for our special needs classes, particularly for those with Cerebral Palsy, for whom using conventional instruments was not practicable. Our ultimate goal is to assmble an inclusive band, featuring both our disabled and non-disabled children, making music together.
An Overview of M.A.D Projects
Adopt a School
Our first project under the Making a Difference Initiative in June 2022 took the form of summer workshops in schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Thanks to support from our donors, we were have been able to to extend provision beyond one-off visits and workshops, to longer term residencies in our adopted schools, thereby providing sustained and substantial benefits to the children.
Train to Teach Music
Our Train to Teach Music programme is a two year training and development programme for aspiring Music Teachers.
Over the two year period, trainees are supported to attain music qualifications from internationally recognised music exam boards, while also earning an income. Trainees not only earn a salary, but they are also provided with equipment and learning resources support their development.
David tells his story below.
Access to Music: Treasured Moments
We believe in the power of music to transform life outcomes and for this reason, we provide low cost and accesible lessons for children with learning or physical needs for whom traditional lessons may not be appropriate.
Thanks to donations from the Making a Difference Initiative, we are able to continue to invest in staff and in equipment to help us realise our dream of building a vibrant and inclusive music learning community.
Access to Music: Teen BandCraft Classes
Our Teen BandCraft classes are aimed at children aged 12 - 18 years old, who wish to develop their music performance skills.
Teenagers from low income backgrounds receive 100% tuition grants, that allows them to learn a variety of instruments of their choice.
BandCraft is a safe place for children to grow in confidence, creativity, character, cognition and courage while forming friendships and having fun along the way.
Meet Some BandCraft Members
Future Plans
To enable us have a bigger impact, we have identified the following projects that will allow us to serve more children going forward:
1. Acquire and refit a travelling Music Bus that would allow us to reach underserved communities in Lagos.
2. Set up a music teaching and recording studio that would help our students develop their music production skills alongside their performance skills. This will open the possibility of our students earning an income from their music tech skills.
3. Open new music hubs in Lagos, Ogun State, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and then into the African continent.
We would appreciate any support in cash or in kind to help us achieve these next milestones.
