Welcome to the home of
THE NEVER LOSE YOUR DRIVE FOUNDATION INC
“Investing in our Youth through the Arts”
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Never Lose Your Drive Foundation Inc (NLYD) is a 501 C-3 Non-Profit Organization registered in the State of Massachusetts. The charity directly funds The Headstart Music Program – currently being conducted in 2 locations: Bridgetown, Barbados and West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The NLYD Foundation also provides Scholarship assistance for students attending the Berklee College of Music 5-Week Aspire Program.
ABOUT THE HEADSTART MUSIC PROGRAM
Headstart Music is an Instrumental Program that provides weekly instruction to students ages 8-12 on beginner band instruments including Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion. The goal of the program is to introduce Elementary School level students to Woodwind, Brass and Percussion instruments, thus providing them with a “Headstart” for Middle/Secondary School band programs.
Many of our students have gone on to join Concert Band programs at the Secondary and High School level as a result of the instruction they received during the Headstart Program. Our curriculum also gives parents an opportunity to introduce artistic expression to their children, providing an outlet for individuality, creativity, and additional healthy and uplifting options for extra-curricular activities.
OUR MISSION
NLYD aims to provide music instruction and instruments to children who are unable to participate in band at their schools due to discontinued Arts Programs, or competing schedules with other programs. NLYD’s fundraising efforts are specifically designed to cover all costs related to Tutor compensation, Instrument maintenance, Books and Accessories.
JAZZ & GOLF EVENTS
Our Founder has been an avid golfer from the moment his father introduced him to the game. Elan has appeared as a Celebrity for many of the top Charity Golf Events including Ray Allen, Chris Tucker, Jeffrey Osborne & Tony Brothers to name a few. In 2017, Elan’s first Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend took place at the Crane Resort Barbados, with a Charity Outing hosted at the Barbados Golf Club with special guests Jeffrey Osborne, Desmond Haynes and John Starks.
Over the last 9 years, The Barbados Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend has featured festival headliners including Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Jeffrey Osborne, Avery Sunshine, Najee, Maysa, Peter White, Will Downing, Norman Brown, Nestor Torres, Jazmin Ghent, Julian Vaughn, Brian Simpson, Althea Rene, Jeanette Harris, Marcus Anderson, Brian Bromberg, The Nicholas Brancker Band, Marion Meadows, Paul Jackson Jr. and Kim Scott.
The Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament in Barbados is now hosted at the Sandy Lane Country Club, and over the years has welcomed specially invited guests including Desmond Haynes & Brian Lara (WI Cricket), John Starks & Joel Anthony (NBA), Maurice Allen & Troy Mullins (World Long Drive), Joe Carter, Bernie Williams, Mike Jackson & Bronson Arroyo (MLB), Chris Spencer & Damon Williams (Comedy), Flex Alexander, AJ Calloway, Jay Harris & Kathleen Bradley (TV Personalities) and Jeffrey Osborne, Javier Colon, Mike Phillips, Jeff Bradshaw, Marcus Anderson, Marcus Johnson, Harvey Mason (Performers).
Our Massachusetts Charity Outings have been held at Farm Neck Country Club during the annual Martha’s Vineyard Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend, and at the William J Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park, Boston. Past guests include Jeffrey Osborne, Bronson Arroyo, Dana Barros, Clifton Davis, John Starks, Steve Burton, Russel Holmes, Charlie Titus, Joe Malone and Coach Willie Maye.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
Program Founder Elan Trotman embarked on his musical quest in January of 1998, upon leaving Queen’s College Secondary School in Barbados, to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he now serves as an Associate Professor in the Ensemble Department. Elan was one of a few young musicians selected to receive the National Development Scholarship awarded by the Barbados Government’s Ministry of Education Division Program. Prior to serving in his current role, Elan used his many years as a music educator to inspire young minds in various Public School Band Programs in Massachusetts including Cambridge, Revere, and Boston.
“Music helped me to find my identity as an adolescent, at a time when I was dealing with the loss of my mother, while struggling with academics. If I was not fortunate to have access to after school band and weekend piano lessons, I have no idea where I would be today. As a result, music has given me the confidence to succeed in life, and the opportunity to impact others whether it’s from the stage, studio, or classroom.” Elan Trotman
HOW TO DONATE
USA ACCOUNT
Check
Never Lose Your Drive Foundation Inc
PO BOX 365032
Hyde Park, MA 02136
United States
Zelle
BARBADOS ACCOUNT
Check
Headstart Music Barbados
6A Warrens Crescent
St. Thomas
Barbados