Testimonials
Meet Our Students.
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“I want to go to college for music and because of Young Musicians Unite, I'm going to get there.”
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"Young Musicians Unite changed my life. When I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to play music."
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"Playing with Young Musicians Unite has allowed me to do many things that I otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity for... "
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“Young Musicians Unite has helped me with all of the challenges that would come at me."
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“Young Musicians Unite has helped me grow as a person.. I'm more outgoing and I'm more interactive in classes.”
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"Young Musicians Unite has given me a newfound sense of freedom and creative expression."
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“I think YMU should keep their organization going because it can help other people do what they want with their voice.”
Educator Spotlight
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Principal
Miami Carol City Middle School
With the absence of music education at Carol City Middle for the past ten years, Young Musicians Unite ignited a fire that will not go out. Providing both in-school and after-school music programming for students is a dream for our school. More so, providing quality music education through experienced, talented and compassionate teachers is priceless.
Music is a language by which we are connected. This common thread speaks to the hearts and souls of all. More importantly, we are seeing the transformative power of music at Carol City Middle. In just one year, our students have made tremendous strides in academic performance and social development. Sixty-three percent of participants have improved attendance, over eighty percent of students have improved their academic performance in either reading or mathematics and over fifty percent of students have a decrease in behavioral infractions.
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District Supervisor, Performing Arts
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Through Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ partnership with YMU, we are achieving our shared goal of providing all students with access to the highest-quality music education. Together with other great community partners, we are ensuring that our schools are equipped with qualified instructors, musical instruments, technology and other resources necessary to engage our students with music learning in a challenging, safe and nurturing environment.
YMU enhances music education in our schools through their in-school and after-school programs. They create and lead new ensembles and provide support for existing M-DCPS music programs. Their instructors have expertise in a wide variety of areas, resulting in the development of outstanding jazz bands, rock ensembles, guitar ensembles, horn ensembles, concert bands and drumlines.
In addition, YMU supports M-DCPS’ commitment to engage our students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education through their focus on music technology and sound engineering. They are a vital partner in the innovative STEAM Plus program that brings schools together with prestigious cultural institutions in the City of Miami Beach.
As the African proverb observes, it takes a village to raise a child. YMU has been, and continues to be, an important and valued partner to MDCPS in ensuring that our students reach their creative, artistic, and personal potential.
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Principal
Young Men’s Preparatory Academy
There is little doubt that learning to play a musical instrument enhances brain development, encourages academic success, and even enriches a child’s social skills by reducing stress and anxiety. Since 2013, the year Young Musicians Unite (YMU) began working with talented musicians at Young Men’s Preparatory Academy, the benefits mentioned above have been present and evident at our school.
YMU has aided Young Men’s Preparatory Academy in fostering the tenets by which we guide our students: Scholarship, Leadership, Integrity, and Character. Whether through the introduction of the guitar ensemble in 2013, the jazz combo in 2015, or the re-introduction of the drum line in 2017, YMU and its mentors have reinforced academics, leadership and dedication to the community. In fact, we can humbly boast that several of our students have received full music scholarships, and have even, as alumni Caleb Alcime has done, become YMU mentors themselves.
Over 160 students have directly benefitted from this program- our students have proudly participated in the Superintendent’s Opening of Schools; played The National Anthem at the Miami Heat MLK Game; performed at the Miami Beach Bandshell and have been featured on NBC 6. The donations, which are in the thousands, for the purchase of new equipment and the repair of existing instruments, have also assisted our students in their goal toward becoming accomplished musicians.
The Young Musicians Unite program is without parallel. It is one of the programs afforded to the students of Miami Dade County which proves how the sincere dedication of a few and the recognition of the arts as a valuable part of every curriculum can and will positively impact the masses.
Watch Former MDCPS Superintendent Roberto Carvalho’s speech from our 8th Annual Spring Benefit Concert.
Community Leaders
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Rebecca Fishman Lipsey
President/CEO
The Miami Foundation
“Young Musician’s Unite has the secret sauce. They know how to work in partnership with schools to bring music alive for all kids. Their students bring the house down, from rock bands to jazz ensembles, and their class time is focused, fun and well run. I want to go back in time and bring this program to my own school.”
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Daniel R. Lewis
Founder & Chairman
The Lewis Prize for Music
Young Musicians Unite has been a leader in Miami-Dade County to collaboratively work with school principals to reestablish music programs in schools, during the school day where it belongs.
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Chiho Feindler
Senior Director Of Programs and Policy
Save The Music Foundation
The great work that YMU is doing at each school is transforming not only the music programs but the entire school community. Their program is a great testimony to the power of music.
Alumni Spotlight
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My musical journey began at the age of 11 when I stumbled upon an old drum set left behind in the garage of my childhood home. I arranged the drums and began to learn about the different sounds I could create. As I began to play, I felt the pull towards the drums as if they might one day allow me to fully express myself without restriction or fear. My passion for the drums grew into a hunger to know more. Over the years I fully immersed myself in the life of a musician learning to play music of various genres and styles with the help of my teachers and mentors.
Three years ago, I was invited to join one of YMU’s advanced jazz combos, directed by Zach Larmer. Zach has always been an inspirational mentor in my musical career. His vision, guidance and trust in my abilities have allowed me to flourish as a musician and to build the beginnings of my career. Sammy Gonzalez also gave me the opportunity to play with the Miami Beach Senior High Rock Ensemble, another YMU program. These ensembles came with extensive live performance opportunities that have helped prepare me for my life as a professional musician.
I was also given the opportunity to intern for YMU for one year where I worked to coordinate events and performances for YMU ensembles. This experience provided me with a behind-the-scenes look into the music business and, while challenging, prepared me for a future of booking my own gigs. This invaluable experience I received, such as establishing relationships with local music venues and other non-profit groups, is something I take with me as I embark on my journey as a professional musician.
Because of the guidance I received, I am now a Music Education major at Miami Dade College and I have been awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music where I plan to continue my studies. Currently, I am a member of the top jazz band at Miami Dade College, and I received an Honors level jury score. I regularly perform in the Faculty Concerts alongside my professors. I also now co-teach the YMU Jazz Collective alongside my mentor, Zach Larmer.
YMU has been a channel through which I have had the chance to engage with so many talented musicians. I’m grateful that they’ve always provided me with the tools and assistance needed to expand on my knowledge of music. I am now a gigging drummer, college student, studio musician, touring drummer and a proud YMU mentor. I look forward to doing everything I can to educate and expand upon the talents of other Young Musicians.