Unclassical: Celebrating Miami's Musical Diversity
Join us on Sunday, April 24, 2022 for a unique concert at North Miami Beach Bandshell! Our advanced student orchestra will be performing unique music pieces, conducted by Liber Cuervos and with incredible guest artist performances.
Sunday, April 24th at 7 PM at the North Beach Bandshell: 7525 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
RSVP: northbeachbandshell.com/events
The Spring Concert Series is here!
Let's welcome the spring with amazing sounds from our talented students! Mark your calendars and join us for one (or all!) of these performances.
We start the series with a fantastic concert performed by our Intermediate and Advanced student orchestras on March 13 @ 3PM, at the UM Maurice Gusman Hall. Then join us every day of that week for our beginner chapter performances:
High Notes: We're Back To In-Person!
After a year of virtual learning, overcoming challenges, and witnessing our students' incredible resilience, we are grateful to be starting the school year safely in-person and on a high note! As we did during the summer, we are closely following CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our students and staff, with sanitizing of instruments, bell covers over the ends of brass instruments, social distancing, practicing outside, and mask-wearing. With our dedicated team and supporters, we are off to a fantastic and music-filled year. Here is a peek at the first weeks of classes, our revamped curriculum, a recap of the summer, and upcoming events!
First Few Weeks of Classes Highlight
Our students and Teaching Artists are so happy to be in-person once again, and we can hear the excitement! We've officially started classes in all chapters: Little Haiti, Liberty City, Miami Springs, Miami Gardens, and Little Havana. We welcomed both new and returning students for all levels and are already seeing so much progress after just a few weeks with their instruments.
To stay up-to-date on student videos and photos, give our Facebook or Instagram a follow.
Beyond Music: Enhanced Curriculum & Teaching Artist Training
As part of our commitment to empowering youth, we led a week-long intensive training for our team of Teaching Artists in August including special guest speakers to further enhance our curriculum. The curriculum is designed to truly engage youth to develop meaningful social-emotional and academic skills that are essential for their lives through social and emotional learning (SEL) and positive youth development (PYD).
With group activities and positive reinforcement, our music classes encourage leadership, positive and supportive relationships, empathy, collaboration, and responsible and caring decision-making. Students in our program become empowered to co-create thriving schools and communities.
Summer Music Camp & Showcase
We were honored to hold a 4-week Summer Music Camp this past June and July for over 120 students who each received more than 60 hours of intensive musical instruction and social interaction. With 17 Teaching Artists as well as staff, the camp culminated with a heart-warming, socially-distanced performance for parents, friends, and distinguished guests! We thank our donors, The Children's Trust, and Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, whose support enables us to put together this music camp every year bringing engaging music instruction and before and after care to students.
Traveling: Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp in Michigan
As part of our partnership with the Interlochen Center for the Arts, over 50 students participated in 3 weeks of comprehensive musical instruction and camp experience in-person and online this past summer. Many students traveled to Michigan alongside chaperons, staff, and parents for this unique opportunity, with camp tuition provided by a generous donor of Miami Music Project.
Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month
We are proud to recognize and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15. Miami Music Project honors the vision of El Sistema, or social transformation through music, founded by Venezuelan musician and economist José Antonio Abreu. Many children we serve are of Latin American/Hispanic descent and our teaching team is mostly comprised of musicians of Latino/e/x descent. We encourage you to learn more about El Sistema USA here.
Alumni Highlight: Juan Florez
Juan Florez is a violinist and one of our earliest students who studied with our founder, James Judd! He also participated in the Miami Music Project Leader's Orchestra for ten years, in which he was the concertmaster for one year. Juan graduated in 2020 and is now studying Violin Performance at the University of Florida College of the Arts.
Throughout the program with Miami Music Project, he pursued performance and training opportunities with the violin. We are incredibly proud of all that he has accomplished already at a young age!
Juan Florez is one of hundreds of alumni students from our program, almost all of whom have pursued college after graduation.
*Parents* Enrollment is Still Open
We are still accepting both new and returning students for this school year. Our after-school music program is a wonderful opportunity for your kids or teens to learn an instrument and reach their full potential.
To enroll your children and teens in our classes, visit our Register page to apply and see a list of all of our chapter locations, levels, and class times.
Instruments of Community
We are here to fulfill our mission of transforming lives through the study and performance of music. DONATE TODAY, and help bring musical magic to communities with untapped potential!
Summer Music Camp Showcase
Join us on Saturday, July 10 for a fantastic in-person concert! Our Summer Music Camp students will blow you away with beautiful performances, showcasing all they have learned during our summer camp.
Date and Time: Saturday, July 10 @ 1 PM
Location: Miami Springs Middle School Auditorium, 150 S Royal Poinciana Blvd, Miami Springs, FL 33166
Check out the Concert Program here
High Notes: Say "High" to New Possibilities!
We have been working diligently and fervently to continue our online program, engaging our students and adapting to this new reality. Some of them are back to learning in person, while others remain online. Either way, our programming continues to connect with all of our students on a virtual platform and through our community events. We are resilient, determined, and motivated more than ever to make sure our students receive the best music instruction, free instruments, and an extraordinary experience. This is how we compose community!
COMPOSING COMMUNITY
Our amazing staff and Teaching Artist team have been creating a series of community events to connect with students, making music for (and with!) them. We had student rehearsals at parks, visited schools to share some music, goodie bags and connect with our families, and made some instrument tuning visits. We look forward to many more events like these and opportunities to compose new connections as a community.
IT WAS A WONDERFUL WINTER
As soon as we get ready to usher in Spring we reflect on the wonderful winter events including our Winter Concert Series and Nicole Henry's Winter Benefit Concert. Thank you to Nicole for her continued support and dedication! As always her concert was an amazing experience, even streamed online. Congratulations to our students for their wonderful performances during the Winter Concert Series.
To replay those performances click the image on the left above for Intermediate and Advanced Ensembles and the image on the right for the Beginner students' full concert, streamed on our Facebook page. To replay those performances click the image on the left above for Intermediate and Advanced Ensembles and the image on the right for the Beginner students' full concert, streamed on our Facebook page.
Nicole Henry's 8th Annual Winter Concert, "I Sing Because I'm Happy", filmed at Pinecrest Gardens, was streamed on December 19th, 2020. Pictured top left is Miami Music Project Alumna Starina D'Haiti performing a solo, top right is Nicole performing with our students and lower left is Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho with our students.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Elizabeth Perez-Hickman is a great young oboist, student, and all around terrific person. Elizabeth spent six years as a member of the Miami Music Project’s orchestras, initially playing the violin and then switching to the Oboe in middle school. Through opportunities presented to her by the Miami Music Project and donor Dan Lewis, Elizabeth attended Interlochen Arts Camp under scholarship for two years in a row where she won the Fine Arts Award. Last year, Eli auditioned and was selected for the YOLA National Festival, a summer festival for young musicians affiliated with El Sistema programs. She now attends Interlochen Arts Academy.
Andre Perelman, a dedicated Alumnus of Miami Music Project, played the trombone as a part of our Sinfonía Orchestra for several years. Andre also attended Interlochen Arts Camp two years in a row and was awarded “Student of the Year” at the Little Havana Chapter. Andre went on to New World School of the Arts to attend high school. Andre is now the 2021 YoungArts Foundation winner, a recognition given to a distinguished group of accomplished artists and we could not be prouder!
We were very proud to see our students perform as a part of the presentation of the collective project of "What We Will Be" by Danielle Williams of OrchKids featuring 112 students from 35 programs around the nation during the 2021 ESUSA Symposium this February!
Leonardo (Top Left)- Clarinet, Christina - Violin (Top Right), Sofia (Bottom Left) - Cello, Preston (Bottom Right)- Trumpet.
SAVE THE DATE
Join us for our 2021 Spring Concert on March 26 at 6 PM. Our intermediate and advanced student ensembles will help us usher in spring with their blooming sound!
TARGET CIRCLE
Here's how it works:
Join Target Circle for free access to an even more rewarding Target run at target.com/circle or download the free app.
Earning Votes:- At check out, give phone number or scan your Target Circle barcode by tapping “Redeem saved offers”
- Wallet in the Target App.
- Enter receipt numbers within 7 days to collect earnings from eligible in-store purchases.
- Online: Sign into your connected Target account on target.com or in the Target app.
Casting Votes:Open target.com/circle and go to Community Support. Or open the Target App, go to your Circle benefits, and Vote For Nonprofits. Nonprofits will display in a list with their name, logo, mission, and website link.Shop now, voting ends soon!
Your continued support is fundamental to our success. Every day we provide free-of-charge music instruction, instruments and the necessary mentorship to our students. In person or online, we are here to fulfill our mission of transforming lives through the study and performance of music. DONATE TODAY, and help bring musical magic to communities with untapped potential!
High Notes: Giving Season, Paper Orchestra Graduation, Nicole Henry Concert, and Block Party!
As 2020 comes to an end, we close a challenging and unique chapter in our history. As a community we all stepped up to make the world a safe and enjoyable place for our children. Now, we are looking forward to the giving season with the hope our community will support the hard work of our staff, team members and Teaching Artists in the many ways they show up for our kids.
#305ForGood Block Party on Give Miami Day
On #GiveMiamiDay we are throwing a #305ForGood Block Party! Your donation on that day can help fund musical education for children with untapped and under-funded potential!
This year -- as our nonprofit community continues their essential work in the face of a serious pandemic, economic crisis, and the impact of systemic racism -- Give Miami Day will be more vital than ever.
We hope you join us on Give Miami Day!
You can also pledge to support us on Give Miami Day
Paper Orchestra Graduation Was a Great Success
Our Prelude Level students performed their little hearts out this past October 30th giving us all a wonderful 2020 Paper Orchestra Graduation concert! Our Teaching Artists and staff put together a magnificent virtual production with colorful animation, engaging footage and images of online programming - and of course some wonderful music! Thank you to our teachers, and congratulations to our graduates.
They have now received their wooden and brass instruments and are ready to work to master their new musical abilities!
Instrumental figures from our Annual Report: Did you know that our students improve their social, problem-solving and leadership skills thanks to our program? See the full report.
Anna Klimala is One of Miami's "Movers"
Miami Herald's Indulge Miami Magazine named our President, Anna Klimala as one of Miami's "Movers". The October publication was The Givers Issue, discussing the city's new "game changers". Anna talked about what it takes to be an instrument of change:"Music education and orchestra participation is instrumental, figuratively and literally, to the development of young minds and hearts."Check out the full Indulge Miami publication here. "The power of what playing a musical instrument does to your heart, your mind, and most of all, your brain, is undeniable.
No other art form offers such profound developmental benefits.” - Anna Klimala
Winter Benefit Concert
SAVE THE DATE - Tickets will go on sale on November 20th. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Miami Music Project.
"I can't wait to sing for you in concert again, while also highlighting the amazing work of Miami Music Project." - Nicole Henry
Sponsorship Packages Starting at $500 Are Now Available. Please contact info@nicolehenry.com for more information.
Play A Part
We are hiring! Our team members are passionate individuals that harness their skills and inspiration to elevate communities. We believe ingenuity requires diversity and are proud to champion the many benefits of hiring and engaging well-rounded teams of contributors that benefit the young people we serve. Apply for Executive Assistant to the President.
Help Fund Musical Education
Donate online or text "GIVE" to 786-288-0026
and follow prompts on your phone screen.
High Notes: Summer Highlights, A New Year of Programming, and Much More!
COVID19 has changed the world for all of us and the way children learn has had one of the largest shifts in normalcy. We continue to pursue our mission beyond close contact, to use music as an instrument for social transformation, empowering children to acquire values and achieve their full potential! Although we are physically separated we continue to be socially connected through the creative use of technology and of course, music. See highlights from the summer, what the next few months hold in store for us and organizational news for our community.
Miami Music Project Partnership Deliver Great Success Stories
Through the synergy and collaboration of three organizations, El Sistema USA, Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University and Miami Music Project, Edric Vivoni is the 2020 ESUSA Peabody Scholarship recipient! Edric was given access to orchestral education through Miami Music Project, polished and improved his skills through our partnership with Interlochen Center For The Arts, and is now on a full scholarship at the Peabody Conservatory thanks to a partnership with El Sistema USA. This is a perfect example of how programs like these in collaboration can give access to young people with an amazing, untapped potential. Edric used every opportunity to shine. Edric says, "Helping others and collaborating with the members of my community is extremely valuable. I am truly grateful for the support Miami Music Project and El Sistema [USA] have given me to continue doing what I am passionate about as well as all the amazing opportunities I've been able to be part of during the past few years that have allowed me to make friends and connections with people from all over the world." Congratulations Edric!
Taking Action Towards Racial Equity
This past summer we partnered with ReEnvision Harmony and Social Equity to bring their Discomfort Discourse series to our community. We hosted a variety of panelists, community and business leaders, members of the faith community as well as artists and art champions. It is no secret that there is a disparity in opportunities for Black and Brown children with untapped potential in the arts and beyond. It is why we understood we needed to have difficult discussions about race and equity. Our board member Nicole Henry said it best "Discomfort helps us grow." If you'd like to watch them they are up on our Facebook page. Here are the links to the each one:
- The History of Racism Why We Say "Black Lives Matter"
- Implicit Bias and Antiracism
- Time for a Change How You Can Be an Ally
Please let us know what you thought of the series! We look forward to having more uncomfortable yet meaningful conversations. Thanks to our media partner The Miami Herald and our co-sponsor and organizer Harris Public Relations for their instrumental work in ensuring the series was a success!
Music Education Webinar Series with El Sistema USA
In preparation for summer programming Music Education Director, Robert Saunders and President, Anna Klimala, worked hard in partnership with El Sistema USA and Monique Van Willingh, Director of the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Longy School of Music at Bard College, to develop a comprehensive
strategy to help fill the gaps and empower programs to continue their musical education through the pandemic.
Our music education director Robert Saunders wrote "The result of these efforts [was] a series of Zoom webinars about Sistema programming online, offered to El Sistema USA members and sponsored by El Sistema USA in collaboration with the Longy MAT Program. These webinars focus[ed] on student learning and youth engagement during the summer." Read more here.
If you are an El Sistema Member you can access the webinars here:
1) Setting up an Online Summer Program Structure for Your Organization Using Zoom
2) Virtual Classrooms & Synchronous Learning
The challenges of this pandemic has pushed us all to rely on our relationships, lean on partnerships and streamline synergies to ensure we can make the most of it. We look forward to seeing the continued results of these project collaborations.
Physically Distant but Socially CONNECTED
Thanks to a very generous donor twelve lucky students were able to gain access to digital programming with a brand new Macbook Air 13! According to government statistic, among children ages 3-18, 17% live in households without a laptop or desktop computer. Given the challenges with the COVID19 pandemic moving all learning online in Miami-Dade County, as well as our programming happening virtually, this donation can go a very long way in ensuring students stay connected and educated.
We are so grateful for these generous donations!
44% of our students are of Hispanic or Latinx descent and the vast majority of our Teaching Artists are as well. Miami has a large Hispanic and Latinx/o/e community and we welcome every opportunity to tap into the cultural potential of the Latin American community. During Hispanic Heritage Month we will continue to share stories, accomplishments and art from Latin American musicians and stake holders of our program. Catch the stories on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Parent Orientation Online
Part One: If you missed our parent orientation here is the recorded session for the Little Haiti and Liberty City community. No matter what chapter you child attends this orientation will give you all the information you need to get the most out of our program.
Part Two: In this video our amazing staff will teach Parents and Students how to navigate our Google Classroom and how to use Contract Room to complete each student's paperwork for the upcoming year.
It is NOT too late to register for Fall 2020 programming! Register today, and share with a friend!
REGISTER NOW!
Help Fund Musical Education
Your continued support can help provide a transformative experience of music education to children. DONATE TODAY, and help bring musical magic to communities with untapped potential!
Donate online or text "GIVE" to 786-288-0026 and follow prompts on your phone screen.
You can also create a Facebook fundraiser here.
Webinar: Time for a change: How you can be an ally
Our third and final webinar of the series "Discomfort Discourse: Taking Action For Racial Equality" was held on Thursday 8/27/20. If you missed it, you can watch the recording in our Facebook Page
Webinar: Implicit Bias & Anti Racism
Join us on Thursday August 20 from 5-6:30 PM for the second in a series of town hall webinars designed to provide a platform to discuss eliminating racial inequality in our communities.
The topic of discussion: Implicit Bias and Anti-Racism
Register HERE to join or watch via Facebook Live
Webinar: The History of Racism. Why We Say Black Lives Matter
Join us for a series of webinars we have called "Discomfort Discourse: Taking Action for Racial Equality"
Our first webinar is on Thursday, August 13 @ 5 PM with amazing panelists. We will discuss: The History of Racism. Why We Say Black Lives Matter. Register HERE or join us via Facebook LIVE
