Our Story

            My name is Damon Marks and I'm a guitarist, songwriter, and recording artist.  I'm best known for my work as a touring guitarist on Alicia Keys Freedom Tour, as well as my rock collaborations with Bret Michaels, Tommy Aldridge, and Bruce Kulick.

            In 2009, I founded the Traveling Guitar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides equipment and support for school systems that are struggling to finance their music education programs.  Since its inception, the Traveling Guitar Foundation has worked to ensure that young students have access to instruments and musical instruction.   As a profound medium of artistic expression, music showcases creativity and brings joy to people's lives.  I can personally testify to the importance of being exposed to music at a young age.  My father, Tony Marks, was an original member of Frankie Vallis first group, The Four Lovers, and a huge influence on my own musical maturation.  I believe that a meaningful music education also nurtures children's intellectual and communal development.  As such, my goal is to ensure that school children have access to high-quality musical instruments and instruction during a time when school systems across the country are facing budgetary restraints. 

The Impact            

          By way of background, the Foundation accomplishes its mission in two ways.  First, the Foundation travels to schools whose music programs are in jeopardy and give music educational clinics for the benefit of students.  At each event, we enlist the help of both younger and established artists, such as SWIZZ BEATZ, Miranda Cosgrove (ICarly) and Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC, to help showcase the power of music as an artistic platform, cultural force, and enjoyable activity.  In these clinics I interact directly with children, provide musical instruction and discuss the importance of attaining an education. 

          Second, after each clinic, the Foundation donates guitar kits and other instruments directly to the schools to help them sustain their musical education programs.  Importantly, after we stage a clinic, we continually check back with the school's administration and music faculty to make sure that the donated instruments are being used properly, and regularly, for the betterment of children's intellectual and creative development.  As such, each member of the Traveling Guitar Foundation organization works tirelessly to ensure that every dollar you donate is used directly for the benefit of funding not only children's music education, but also their future. 

What We Need & What You Get

         Since 2009, the Traveling Guitar Foundation's profile has grown rapidly.  Initially, the Foundation established a substantial presence in the tri state area.  However, recently the Foundation has gone national, with clinics taking place in and .  Moreover, superstar athletes such as Allan Houston, David Tyree, and Dikembe Mutombo have also taken notice of the Foundations mission and work.  

         We hope to raise $10,000 by July 15, 2011, to assist in our expansion.  Every dollar donated will be used to both purchase musical equipment for struggling school music programs and finance assemblies, residencies, clinics and after school workshops which ensure that the necessary musical instruction accompanies the purchase of the new instruments.  Even if we are unable to meet our monetary goal of $10,000, each dollar donated still brings us closer to putting new instruments in the hands of enthusiastic and creative school children.  Moreover, we have historically found that $2,500 dollars allows the Foundation to completely fund an entire Traveling Guitar Foundation school event.  This includes an assembly and music clinic, as well as the purchase of musical instruments which we donate to the school. As such, even the smallest donation can lead to a transformative impact in a school environment which assists hundreds of students.  We've even got some great memorabilia that we're given away as prizes during this fundraising campaign!  Your contribution could earn you one (1) of these prizes.  ***Please note that all donations of $25 (twenty five) dollars and over are tax deductible***

         With the help of your generous donation, we will be able to continue our mission and work to protect children's access to music education during their formative and educational years. 

Thank you for your time and interest,

Damon Marks