DOVER, N.J: Casio America, Inc. is proud to announce its continued commitment to fostering music education among youth and aspiring artists through a donation to ZUMIX, an East Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building its community through music and creative technology.
Since 2016, Casio has donated more than a dozen products to the program, including most recently a XW-G1 synthesizer and 10 pairs of headphones.
"Nothing brings us more joy than being able to provide young artists with the tools they need to create," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "ZUMIX is doing amazing things for the youth of Boston by providing a creative outlet for them to transform their communities and their futures, and we are humbled to contribute to such an amazing program."
ZUMIX started in Co-Founders Bob Grove and Madeleine Steczynski's living room in 1991 as a response to Boston's worst wave of youth violence. ZUMIX began as a summer songwriting program with 24 youth, $200, and the simple idea that giving youth something to be passionate about could transform lives and elevate communities. Today, ZUMIX gives young people in Boston the tools to develop viable careers in cutting-edge creative and technology fields through music production, songwriting, performance, audio engineering, and radio broadcasting. The 21st century skills youth acquire at ZUMIX support overall career readiness by emphasizing skills in communication, leadership, creativity, and adaptability. The asset-based approach integrates students of all skill levels, enabling ZUMIX staff and teaching artists to support youth who are looking to master a field, alongside those whose primary focus is artistic expression. Youth attend programs at the ZUMIX building in East Boston, where they have access to a state-of-the-art professional recording studio, radio station, performance space, and private practice rooms.
"Thank you to Casio for continuing to invest in our program and deliver state-of-the-art instruments that our students use each and every day," said Daniel Fox, Technical Director, ZUMIX. "The students have enjoyed learning these new instruments and we can't wait to see what they create!"
The XW-G1 groove synthesizer is designed for the aspiring DJ and club performer, or anyone that wants to create an awesome beat. It provides an interactive step sequencer and a sample looper for digitally capturing performance patterns and external instruments. Featuring real-time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with nine sliders, musicians can control internal sounds as well as external devices via its standard MIDI ports and a class-compliant USB port. It also includes an audio input allowing musicians to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.
Casio's XW Series of headphones - available in three different color schemes - are tough, lightweight, and designed to deliver accurate and natural sound. Its flexible and folding headband coupled with its detachable flat cable mean that musicians can avoid getting tangled in wires and instead focus on the music!
