The Art of Music:Grammy Award-winning Producer Dallas Austin Announces Charity Benefit

Online, June 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The moment an instrument lands in the hands of a student a new world is delivered to them in the form of treble and bass clef notes. Beginning from the simple tick of the metronome, a child is free to discover Vienna in Beethoven's Ode to Joy or New York City in Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind. Nevertheless, these melodic experiences are increasingly being eliminated from school curriculums across the country.

In 2003, Dallas Austin, Grammy Award -winning super-producer, recognized the need in the academic community in Atlanta for a sustainable music program. "We recognize that young people who are
exposed to music programs excel academically and are more likely to attend college," says Austin of his decision to form the Dallas Austin Foundation for Music Education. The mission of DAFME is to commit to the transformation of the lives of young people by enriching their educational experiences through the fostering and development of integrity, self-respect, and ultimately musical creativity just one beat at a time.

The 2000 plus graduates of the Dallas Austin Music Academy have benefited from a curriculum rich in music engineering, song writing, marketing, and business development in modern studios that enhance metropolitan Atlanta schools. The foundation has also provided scholarships and financial assistance to help further develop and maintain the musical arts and entertainment departments in schools and to raise awareness of the vast opportunities that exist for young people within the entertainment industry.

To celebrate the foundation's tremendous achievements over the past eight years, DAFME will hold an interactive James Bond themed charity fundraiser on July 23, 2011. In the grand persona of Agent 007, guests will have exclusive access to Montenegro style games with all proceeds from the fundraiser supporting the year-round music education programming and operations of the foundation. After taking a chance at the tables, guests will be able to relax and mingle in one of the party's specialty lounges or take a spin under the lights of the Disco Club.

For press inquiries please email Urban Works Publicity at [email protected] and
[email protected]. You may also visit the DAFME website at www.dafme.org for more