Simply Amazing…Ten years ago, Clay Aiken took a chance and chose to postpone has college classes and enter a small TV singing competition.
He didn’t know what would happen, but he dreamed.
To continue and finish his courses, Clay worked with an innovative professor to plan an independent study course. Clay created a fictitious organization to address an important need in the special education community. He was thorough and included a mission statement, goals and objectives and the avenues to accomplish the objectives.
He didn’t know what would happen, but he dreamed.
Immediately his ideas were embraced by friends, family, colleagues, and fans. Monetary support showed up from around North America. Clay turned to his dear friend, Diane, and together they decided to change dreams to realities and jumped!
He didn’t know what would happen, but he dreamed.
It is ten years later and The National Inclusion Project is now one of the leading organizations in the field of inclusion.
The National Inclusion Project grows and expands each month.
With a nationwide team of dedicated people and a hardworking staff, Clay Aiken learned that dreams can come true.
On Thursday, there were two exciting mentions in the press regarding The National Inclusion Project.
The National Inclusion Project Facebook posted:
For those in the NYC area: Check out ‘Broadway Charity Songs’, a Broadway Gives Back event, on March 25th at (Le) Poisson Rouge. A song inspired by the National Inclusion Project was created and will be performed at the event. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Project.
The tweet said:
Nat’l Incl Project @includingkids
Honored to be chosen as one of the benefiting charities in Broadway Charity Songs on March 25th in NYC http://owl.li/iLbyN @lprnyc
The following is from the Broadway Serves:
12 award-winning musical theatre composers. 12 outstanding charities. 12 soon-to-go-viral songs. Broadway Charity Songs will include songs by Jeff Blumenkrantz, Noel Carey, Andre Catrini, Joshua Cohen, Rob DelGaudio, J Sebastian Fabal, Jonathan Reid Gealt, Andy Monroe, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, Blake Pfeil, and Zoe Sarnak. Proceeds will benefit the Eastern Congo Initiative, The Soldiers Project, The National Inclusion Project, Dress for Success, Make a Wish, Seeds of Peace, Candlelighters NYC, GLAAD, Charity: Water, the ASPCA, and the Ryan Waldheger Memorial Fund. Performances by some of the brightest stars of Broadway.”
Rob Del Gaudio is the composer of the Project’s song – The following is his bio from the website:
Rob Del Gaudio is a native New York musician, composer, and songwriter. He has shared the stage with artists such as Quincy Jones, The Temptations, Pearl Kaufman, and The Coasters.
Rob is an alum of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, holds a Bachelors in Music Performance from Manhattan School of Music and a Master’s in Music Education from Hofstra University.
As a performer Rob can be seen playing keyboards, drums and guitar with The Rockinghams!, a renown 60’s Cover Band. www.rockinghamsixties.com He has performed on Royal Caribbean and Celeberity Cruises. Rob was a founding member of BBCB:The Beach Boys Cover Band.
Rob is a featured composer in the Directory of Contemporary Musical Theatre Writers. www.contemporarymusicaltheatre.com
Rob is passionate about kids and education. He is currently producing and co-writing a collection of songs called, Campfire Songs! Proceeds from the project will help aid underprivileged children to summer camp. Rob is a NYS certified music teacher. He has taught general music and choir in private and public schools, and has musical directed productions. Rob serves on the board of directors for Luzerne Music Center, a summer music camp and performing arts center in the Adirondacks.
At this time, the singer for this song has not been announced. I certainly hope that the most appropriate singer is chosen to premier this song! How exciting for the National Inclusion Project to be included in this Broadway event! For more information about the exciting event, visit BROADWAYSERVES
Another great article can be found at Hamilton Pulse.com
Clay Aiken Backed Group Partners with Hamilton YMCA
The National Inclusion Project Partners With the Hamilton Area Ymca To Create Recreational Opportunities
Hamilton, NJ – The National Inclusion Project has partnered with The Hamilton Area YMCA to implement Let’s ALL Play—Inclusion in Recreational Programs. The partnership will allow children with disabilities to enjoy successful recreational experiences in an inclusive setting. As part of this initiative, the National Inclusion Project provides a program model, training, expertise, and an award of $10,000…
It is nice to see an entire community excited for the program at the YMCA. The article is comprehensive and is a great write-up about The National Inclusion and their programs. AND…there is a great picture of Clay too. You can read the entire article at HAMILTON
Have you ever attended one of The National Inclusion Galas?
What wonderful articles musicfan! Clay is quite a guy! Amazing how the NIP has florished over the past 10 years.
I have attended the last 2 Galas and intend on being there for the next one in October. Wouldn't miss it for the world! Saving my money as we speak!!
Great articles today Musicfan. How wonderful it must be to see a dream become a reality. In reading "Learning To Sing", Clay talked about working at the "Y", and some kids being turned away because of their disabilities, and it bothered him greatly. He knew from his experience, that something had to be changed. It was not right. When he had to do his assignment for University, he knew exactly what kind of organization was needed to help these kids. He created it, but then made the dream a reality. I'm sure it is one of Clay's most cherished accomplishments to date.
Great read today, and I love how "The National Inclusion Project" just keeps growing. Last year was my first "Gala" in Washington, and I am hoping to attend this year. Even if I can't make it, I will make sure I send a kid to camp.
Such a huge honor for Clay and Diane and I certainly hope the "right singer" gets to perform that Special Broadway song written for NIP! I also attended the last 2 Galas and so looking forward to going again this year! Just very excited that Clay got to "Live His Dream". 🙂
It’s so amazing to see how Clay’s college project has grown so much and done so many wonderful things. I love hearing about the exciting things happening for the Nationsl Inclusion Project.
its such a huge and amazing honor for clay aiken and diane i sure hope that the right singer gets to sing that special bradway song for nip im so glad that clay goto live his dream
It's great to see how much the project is growing and increasing it's national exposure.
So excited about the new Song written for The National Inclusion Project. Can't wait to see who gets to sing that song. The Project has grown so much and getting bigger and getting more national exposure. I haven't been able to go to any of the Gala's because the budget won't allow it…but, that doesn't mean that I can't help in other ways. I contribute quite often. We all contribute in some way.