Orchestra Boot Camps - sign up and join us today!
There's Still Time to Participate! Sign up for one of the Orchestra Boot Camps!
MMP Orchestra Boot Camps, co-founded by the Knight Foundation, are FREE OF CHARGE, intensive orchestra workshops led by Miami Music Project Teaching Artists along with distinguished special guests and classical music's finest. On January 23, Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas offered invaluable advice during our Orchestra Boot Camp held at the prestigious New World Center in partnership with the New World Symphony. Students performed the 3rdMovement of Cesar Frank’s Symphony in D minor. More special guests poised to lead the workshops coming up.
Student with minimum 3 years instrumental experience are invited to audition. To arrange an audition, contact Steven Liu, Director of Educational Programming, at 786-422-5221, ext. 4, or by email: steven@miamimusicproject.org.
Leaders Orchestra To Perform at Arsht Center's 10th Birthday Celebration
Miami Music Project Leaders Orchestra will be a part of Arsht Center's Birthday Celebration on Saturday, October 8th! The Leaders Orchestra will be a part of this family-friendly celebration. Under the direction of Alex Berti, the performance will be one of the highlights of the all-day event to commemorate this milestone at Arsht Center.
Beginning at 11 a.m., enjoy 10 hours of free performances, fun activities, and family-friendly programming!
THE CONCERT:
The 10th Birthday Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with local bands Spam All-Stars and Tiempo Libre opening. $10 tickets are on sale now! To purchase tickets, please click here.
THE AFTER PARTY:
Immediately following the concert, everyone is invited to cap off the celebration with a free outdoor after-party on the Center's Thomson Plaza for the Arts.
2016 Paper Orchestra
For a second year, Paper Orchestra has been created for Prelude students of the Children Orchestras. With the help of their parents and the guidance of Teaching Artists, the students created the paper instruments which will be used for the first few weeks of programming. This prepares our students for performing on a wooden instrument. This will help our young musicians develop better posture, bow grips, coordinating fine motor skills, and instrument care. Working with their hand-made instruments has taught them how to fit in the orchestra environment where cooperation, attention, and hard-work are valued.
Our young musicians will be able to demonstrate what they have been able to accomplish with these paper instruments, and "graduate" to their wooden instruments! Subscribe to our YouTube to view last year's Paper Orchestra. To view photos of this fun process please visit our Facebook page.
Please see below for graduations dates and times!
Thurs., Sept. 29, 2016, 6 pm
Liberty City Chapter
Charles Drew K-8 Center
1775 NW 60 St., Miami
Tues., Oct. 18, 2016, 6pm
Little Haiti Chapter
Toussaint Louverture Elementary
120 NE 59 St., Miami
Fri., Oct. 21, 2016, 7pm
Doral Chapter
John I. Smith Middle Learning Center
5005 NW 112 Ave., Doral
Teaching Artist Training Program 2016-2017
The success of Miami Music Project revolves around our notable Teaching Artists and investing in their development. Made up of professional musicians and educators, this years' Teaching Artist Training will took place August 22-26. Over the span of five days, our teachers received workshops and coaching experiences to prepare them for the upcoming year.
For this years' Teaching Artist, we're honored to have Eric Booth and Debbie Devine offer invaluable workshops to our teachers and students. Eric is a senior advisor to the movement developing El Sistema-inspired sites around the U.s and world. He received Americans for the Arts 2015 Arts Education Award. He was named in the "Top 50 Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in the Nonprofit Arts (USA) for 2015 in Barry's Blog. He has authored 5 books and has performed many times on television, directed five productions, and produced two plays in New York.
Debbie Devine has been an award-winning theatre director and a respected leader in the field of arts education for over three decades. She has been the Chair of the Drama Department of The Colburn School of Performing arts for over 30 years. She is also a theatrical director with the LA Philharmonic and is thrilled to have directed pieces in the gorgeous spaces that are Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Debbie's work with musicians has been a big part of her growing resume. Her Presentational Speaking Skills class has been utilized by The LA Philharmonic, The Seattle Symphony, The Pacific Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl and numerous individual artists. Most recently Debbie was awarded the 2013 LA Weekly Award for Best Direction, for 24th Street's Theatre for Young Audiences piece, Walking the Tightrope.
"The important work that Miami Music Project is doing in Miami's most challenged communities is utterly inspiring. Their core values of community, respect and teamwork are on full display. Not only do they use music to ignite the natural resilience in children, they do so artfully with love." Debbie Devine
“It was an inspiration for me to work with the strong Miami Music Project faculty for two days of intense learning. We grappled with the elusive topic of all the ways, large and small, we can increase student motivation to make music. And then we worked with Miami Music Project students whose participation taught us to be even better teachers. The Teaching Artists showed me such dedication and skill as we created stronger bonds between ourselves and with the students. The professional development taught me as much as it taught the faculty.” Eric Booth
Join Us at Family Fest
You're invited to this year's Family Fest at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Miami Music Project Children's Orchestra will be performing on Saturday, July 9, 1:30 pm at John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Family Fest is a series of free indoor, family-friendly performances ranging from award-winning musicians to South Florida’s most renowned performing artists.
Discover our young musician’s orchestral sounds and create memorable experiences with your children through the delightful storytelling of music. This performance will highlight each instrument group before bringing it all together for two thrilling performances of Dvorak’s intense New World Symphony and Gershwin’s classic An American in Paris. You won’t want to miss this chance to introduce your family to our orchestra and to motivate a whole new generation of musicians.
The concert is free to the public. However, First-Access Passes are required. For additional information, please call 305-949-6722 or visit arshtcenter.org.
Benjamin Bush To Participate In Sphinx's Summer Program
Miami Music Project's Benjamin Bush has been selected to attend the Sphinx Performance Academy's summer session at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. The Sphinx Organization is the Detroit-based national organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The Sphinx Performance Academy is a full-scholarship intensive chamber music and solo performance program designed for aspiring Black and Latino string players, ages 12-17. Benjamin, 14-year old cellist was chosen through a very rigorous competitive process. Benjamin has been with Miami Music Project for 4 years and is part of our Leaders Orchestra. He comes from a family of 9 siblings which 7 are part of our program. We're very of Benjamin's upcoming adventure!
Photo: Amanda Smith Photography
Young Musicians Receive National Invitation
We're proud to announce 23 Miami Music Project students have been recognized by the National Take A Stand Festival, a joint initiative of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Aspen Music Festival, and Longy School of Music of Bard College that is taking the first steps to creating a national youth orchestra inspired by social transformation. Miami Music Project is the only program to send their students to both Bard College in New York and Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado. Eighteen will be participating in the orchestra while five have been chosen to be alternates for the festival.
National Take a Stand Festival, is an initiative that creates a unified national platform for El Sistema-inspired programs throughout the United States. World-renowned conductors, guest artists, and master teachers will bring their artistry and mentorship to students from underserved communities who have been learning in El Sistema-influenced programs. An international team of top teachers, working together with faculty from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Longy School of Music of Bard College, Aspen Music Festival and School and Venezuela’s FundaMusical, will lead the youth orchestra camps.
Aspen
Cesar Jesus Fernandez Ramirez, Bassoon - Cypress Bay High School
Chris Gonzalez, Trombone - Citrus Grove Middle School
Dereck Sangunio, French Horn - Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center
Eduardo Clavijo, Oboe - New World School of the Arts
Jose Espejo, Violin - Mater Lakes Academy
Ruth Joseph, Trombone - The Young Women's Preparatory Academy
Bard
Benjamin Bush, Cello - Homeschooled
Bobby Bush, Clarinet - Homeschooled
David Vallejo-Lozano, Viola - Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center
Franklin Araque, Flute - Miami Springs High School
Grace Bush, Flute - Florida Atlantic University
Isabella Ortiz, Violin - Conchita Espinosa Academy
Juan Florez, Violin - Pembroke Pines Charter Middle
Juan Rodriguez, Bass - Belen Jesuit Preparatory
Marcos Alvarez, Clarinet - South Miami Middle
Martin Mayo, Oboe - New World School of the Arts
Ricardo Mendez, Violin - St. Brendan Elementary
Roy Rosales, Clarinet - Miami Arts Charter
Bard Alternates
Amber Jones, Trumpet - The Young Women's Preparatory Academy
David Mora Carrera, Violin - George Washington Carver Middle
Lucia Rodriguez, Bass - Doral Academy Preparatory
Pablo Espinal, Cello - Dr. Rolando Espinosa K-8 Center
Sophia Lehrmann, Oboe - Eugenia B. Thomas K-8 Center
"I had an amazing time at the National Take A Stand at Bard College that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I bonded even more with my fellow Miami Music Project musicians and I created life-long relationships with people in other programs. I felt extremely happy and excited when I got the opportunity to learn and experience the music with Juan Felipe Molano and Leon Botstein. This was an amazing experience and I recommend it to all students who have the opportunity to audition." Juan Rodriguez
"My experience in National Take a Stand at Bard College far exceeded any expectations that I previously held. We didn't just play our instruments, we were also given a well-rounded musical education. We participated in writing classes, which helped stimulate our creativity and critical thinking and we also learned to sing which helped improve our musicianship. I also learned that creating music is not just about playing an instrument; it’s about being able to understand the emotions that music exudes and having the ability to project it properly." Grace Bush
"It was a fun experience and I felt that I grew more as a musician. We all had a great time and it was great to meet new people. The orchestra sounded amazing and I hope to do it again next year!" Marcos Alvarez
"National Take A Stand at Bard College was an amazing experience! The music we played, the friends we made, and the fun we had were priceless. The rehearsal was a bit rough at first, but we managed to get much better. We all made friends along the way, and before we knew it, it was concert time. We even improvised at the end of the performance. Being at Bard College was a truly great thing, and I’m extremely grateful for being able to go. I will never forget this amazing experience." David Vallejo
Kelsey Milian: Silver Knight Award Honorable Mention
Miami Music Project alumna Kelsey Milian received honorable mention for the prestigious 2016 Silver Knight Award for Social Sciences. In 2010, Kelsey joined the Doral Chapter, Miami Music Project’s first official site. She became an active member of the children’s orchestra and then in 2013 joined Miami Music Project’s advanced Youth Orchestra. Currently, Kelsey returns to the Miami Music Project Doral Chapter to volunteer by teaching 6-8 years old how to play the violin. In an effort to create young leaders in the community, Miami Music Project sponsored Kelsey’s initiative to create a Youth Leadership Seminar that taught students the foundations of sociology and social psychology to participants.
The Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards is one of the nation’s most highly regarded student awards programs. The purpose of this Awards program is to recognize outstanding students who have not only maintained good grades but have also unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their schools and communities.The awards ceremony took place Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 pm at the James L. Knight Center. We congratulate Kelsey on this incredible achievement!
Fantastic Season Finale 2016
Each year, Miami Music Project honors outstanding musicians from four chapters: Liberty City, Little Havana, Little Haiti, and Doral. On Saturday, June 4, 2016, all musicians will reunite once again and showcase their talent which also includes an award presentation. Awards created by children will give musical honors to those with the highest excellence in their curriculum. The following shows is as scheduled:
1:00 p.m. Featuring Miami Music Project Ensembles - Beginner levels.
7:00 p.m. Featuring Miami Music Project Ensembles - Intermediate and Advanced levels.
The performance will take place at Florida International University, Wertheim Performing Arts Center, 10910 SW 17th St., Miami, FL 33199. Suggested donation of $5 or more.
Photo credit: Renata Volfe
MusicLab Performance at New World Center
Since October 2015, Miami Music Project Leaders Orchestra has worked with New World Symphony Fellows face-to-face to improve their musical abilities for the New World Symphony MusicLab initiative. The workshop series took place at Citrus Grove Middle School, home to our Little Havana Chapter.
Introduced during New World Symphony’s 2009-10 season, MusicLab brings the New World Symphony Fellows into classrooms to offer their expertise to students in the pursuit of music performance and personal development. These interactions reflect New World Symphony’s commitment to creating communities that value arts education as an integral part of public education.
Alongside secondary schools, Ruth K. Broad K-8 Center, Miami Beach Senior High School, and Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Miami Music Project is the only nonprofit organization to be participating with New World Symphony’s MusicLab.
On Friday, May 13 at 7:00 pm, students from all participating schools and Miami Music Project will perform and share the stage at the New World Center at the MusicLab Finale Concert. The performance takes place at New World Symphony, 500 17th St, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. Please contact the NWS Box Office at 305.673.3331 or 800.597.3331 for tickets and more details.
Photo credit: Renata Volfe