'Make Music Count' [Toy Fair 2026]: Marcus Blackwell Is Changing the Way Kids Experience Math
- Klep Napier
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Toy Fair 2026 delivered what it always does: innovation, imagination, and the next wave of products shaping how kids learn and play. Among the high-tech gadgets and nostalgic toy revivals, one booth stood out for a very different reason.
Marcus Blackwell, founder and creator of Make Music Count, introduced a product that blends education, music, and pop culture in a way that feels both timely and transformative.
Turning Math Into Music
Make Music Count is a creative learning platform that teaches students how to play the piano by solving math equations. Yes, you read that correctly.
The concept is deceptively simple and incredibly effective. Students select a math subject such as fractions, decimals, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra, or even pre-calculus. They then choose a song. As they solve each equation, their answers correspond to specific piano notes. Correct answers unlock the correct keys.
Once the equations are complete, the app plays the song and lights up the keys based on the student’s responses, allowing them to perform along with the music.
It transforms math practice from a repetitive task into an interactive reward system. The work feels academic, but the payoff feels artistic.
Blackwell emphasized a key insight that drives the program’s success: many students struggle with math because they cannot see themselves in the lesson. By integrating familiar music and culturally relevant songs, Make Music Count creates an emotional connection to the material. That shift in engagement can make all the difference.
From Classrooms to Retail Innovation
Make Music Count is not new to education. The company has been operating for thirteen years and has worked with over 500 schools nationwide. The program is licensed to school districts and implemented in math classes, music classes, special education programs, intervention programs, and after-school enrichment initiatives.
At Toy Fair 2026, Blackwell shared that the company is currently onboarding eight schools in New York City alone, continuing its expansion into major school systems.
The retail kits on display at Toy Fair were born out of necessity during the pandemic, when school closures disrupted traditional classroom access. Rather than pause operations, Blackwell pivoted.
Each Make Music Count retail kit includes:
A real keyboard
Structured math workbooks
Access to the free Make Music Count app
The app itself is free to download on phones and tablets. Retail kits range from $99.99 to $149.99, depending on the number of included workbooks and subject coverage. The value proposition is clear: students receive both hands-on math instruction and an introduction to piano fundamentals in one integrated system.
Professionalism with Purpose
Beyond the product, what resonated most at Toy Fair 2026 was Marcus Blackwell’s professionalism and clarity of vision. Every explanation reflected years of refinement and classroom experience. This is not a novelty item. It is a thoughtfully designed educational tool built on data, feedback, and real-world implementation.
Blackwell’s presence at the event reflected confidence rooted in impact. He spoke not only about features and pricing, but about outcomes, engagement, and long-term educational growth. That distinction matters in a space often dominated by trend-driven products.
Representation and Impact
Make Music Count also represents something larger. As a Black founder leading an education-focused tech company with national reach, Blackwell’s work underscores the importance of innovation, ownership, and representation within the educational landscape.
The product bridges disciplines that are often siloed. Math and music become collaborative rather than separate. Creativity and logic coexist.
That philosophy was one of the most compelling themes emerging from Toy Fair 2026.
Where to Find Make Music Count
The Make Music Count app is available for free download on mobile devices and tablets by searching “Make Music Count” in the app store.
Retail kits, which include the keyboard and workbooks, are available through the official website: www.makemusiccount.com
In a convention hall filled with toys designed to entertain, Make Music Count stood out as a product designed to empower. It is not just teaching children how to solve equations. It is teaching them how to turn those equations into music.
And that is a lesson that resonates far beyond the classroom. 🎹✨
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