Miami Nonprofit Gives Free Music Lessons to More Than 21,000 Students Every Week
Young Musicians Unite runs free in-school and after-school music programs in 131 public schools across Miami-Dade County, reaching more than 21,000 students each week, many of them in Title I schools.
A Miami nonprofit, Young Musicians Unite, now provides free music education to more than 21,000 students each week at 131 public schools in Miami-Dade County, CBS News Miami reported. Its in-school and after-school programs cost students nothing.
Lessons focus on schools serving low-income families
The group works mainly in Title I schools, which serve large numbers of low-income families, and describes itself as the nation’s largest provider of free music education, according to its website. Alongside instruments, the classes aim to build confidence, teamwork and leadership.
At Little River K-8, 9-year-old Jayden Morisseau is learning trumpet. “You get a lot of opportunities to go places, and you get better at playing your horns, and also, you got a good teacher that knows a lot of music,” he told CBS.
Some former students now teach the classes
His teacher, Reinaldo Velez, came through the program himself. He said the classes teach more than music, from how to fix an instrument to how to help someone who needs it.
“Kids need a reason to show up to school, and kids need an opportunity to be seen. And when they’re part of a music classroom, they’re part of something bigger than themselves.” — Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, founder and CEO, Young Musicians Unite
Gonzalez Zeira grew up in Miami and credits free music classes with shaping his own path. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins called the program “incredible” and said its leaders connect children with what the arts can do for their futures.
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