About Us
Child’s Play India Foundation is a registered music education Trust that seeks to instill positive values and provide social empowerment to India’s disadvantaged children through the teaching of classical music to the highest possible standard. It was founded by Dr. Luis Dias in 2009.
We currently teach violin, viola, cello, double bass, recorder, transverse flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano and choir to children across eight locations in Goa. Our locations include children’s shelters, schools, village projects, and music lessons in village libraries.
Along with a music library, we also offer a piano practice room for piano students who may not have an acoustic piano to practice on.
Our orchestra – Camerata Goa – includes our senior students, teachers and local musicians from the community. The Junior Camerata welcomes beginner and intermediate students.
We are always open to exploring new partnerships with schools and other community organisations so we can reach more children.
Our Mission
- To introduce Western classical music to disadvantaged children in India
- To provide, through music education, a sense of discipline, self-esteem, and possible career opportunities for deprived youngsters
- To mentor and encourage all children to reach their maximum potential
- To encourage excellence and creativity
- To engage the local music community in developing the talent of children who are not part of the mainstream
- To foster a culture of excellence in music by organising concerts by visiting and local musicians
Dr. Luis Dias, Founder and Project Director
Dr. Luis Dias is a physician, musician and founder of Child’s Play India Foundation. In 2007, he began to wonder why India, with over a billion people, did not have the world standard in classical music that other, smaller countries seemed to have. Through sheer serendipity, that year at the BBC Proms, two unusual orchestras took center-stage and turned a passing thought into a passionate mission. The El Sistema Simón Bolívar orchestra (Venezuela) and Buskaid Soweto String Project Orchestra (South Africa) are both made up of underprivileged children. Their performances at the Royal Albert Hall that year were on par with any professional orchestra anywhere in the world. This inspired Dr. Dias to launch Child’s Play India. If Venezuela & South Africa could do it, why not India?
The story behind Child’s Play India…and Dr. Luis Dias’ dream for the children of this country
Board of Trustees
Ms. Chryselle D’Silva Dias
Dr. Joanne D’Souza
Ms. Selma Viegas