IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

YOUNG MUSICIANS UNITE

O W N E R R E P R E S E N TAT I O N
G E N E R A L CO N T R AC T I N G

W W W. A M I C O N . U S

LETTER FROM OUR
CEO
“The most important step is
the act of simply showing
up and listening.“
Sammy Gonzalez
President | CEO | Co-Founder
Every child deserves access
to an arts education and
mentorship that will inspire and
transform their life. As a child
growing up in a single parent
home, my home life did not equip
me with the tools and resources
I needed to thrive. Like many
children, I had to look outwards.
I consider myself fortunate to
have had access to a free music
education and the positivity that
this creative space gave to me.
I slowly overcame a learning
disability, tackled speech
issues, and rose above my
debilitating image of self. The
music room became my safe
space, and the music teachers
my heroes. They treated me with
a level of respect, compassion
and acceptance that I was
craving, and so utterly needed.
Every child deserves a mentor.
Someone who cares for
them and challenges them to
become the best versions of
themselves. It’s the kindness
of these individuals that got me
through my days as a youth.
Here at Young Musicians Unite,
we work so hard to be there
for our students, ensuring that
every child has a safe space in 1
the classroom where he or she
can develop friendships, self-
confidence and work through any
personal difficulties; creating
a place where every student
can make mistakes, learn, push
forward and create his or her
own successful path in life.
Through my own experience
as a youth and a mentor, I have
learned that the most important
step is the act of simply showing
up and listening. Thank you to
everyone who has supported us
over the years and trusted us in
our work and vision.
CONTENTS

Letter From Our CEO 01

Mission 04
What We Do 05
How We Do It 06
Student Spotlight 10
In-School Music Programs 20
After-School Programs 24
Autism Program 25
Annual Benefit Concert 26
ONErpm Studio 27
Online Music Resources 28
Parent Spotlight 30
Educator Spotlight 31
Interview With Aidan Finn Johnston 32
Alumni Spotlight 36
Teacher Spotlight 39
Teachers 40
Interns 42
COVER PHOTO
AIDAN FINN JOHNSTON Community Leaders 44
SENIOR, MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH
Student Accolades 45
SHOT BY
CHRISTINE OLIVERA Hot Off The Press 46
1260 NW 29TH STREET #103
Impact Report 48
MIAMI, FL 33142 Partner Bands 50
305-814-6092 Our Team 52
INFO@YOUNGMUSICIANSUNITE.ORG Board Members 55
WWW.YOUNGMUSICIANSUNITE.ORG Our Supporters 56
 32

40

24
10

36

20
 Young Musicians Unite believes that every
student in Miami-Dade deserves access to
music education regardless of their socio-
economic background.

We collaborate with schools to provide

free music education which has been
proven to inspire personal development,
foster a sense of community and prepare
our future leaders.

MISSION
WHAT
WE DO
To empower youth, YMU provides turnkey music
education solutions for Title 1 schools
across Miami-Dade County. YMU equips
schools with trained instructors, lesson plans,
instruments and all the necessary resources for
vibrant music classes.

Students, teachers and schools all benefit

from YMU’s nine years of experience building
successful music programs. YMU’s support
and training of teachers reduces turnover and
creates a school culture that prioritizes student
expression resulting in smooth communication
and consistency within the department. This
holistic approach helps schools maximize
students’ talents, interest and engagement. 5
 HOW WE DO IT
Young Musicians Unite collaborates with
schools and communities to ensure that when
a student picks up an instrument, they can
continue on a consistent path of learning and
progress from elementary through high school.

Because we invest strategically in bridging gaps in a student's music

education, we work within school feeder patterns across whole
communities. Using a collaborative approach, our model has proven
to create student demand that attracts, retains and grows student
enrollment in neighborhood schools that would otherwise suffer
attrition to magnet schools and other programs.

By boosting the attractiveness of local neighborhood schools

6 through flourishing arts programs, we are making it possible for any
school to host an accessible, thriving music program at a time when
arts education cuts, not investments, are the norm.
 PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3
IDENTIFY SCHOOL HIRES SCHOOL HIRES
SCHOOL PART-TIME FULL-TIME
IN NEED TEACHER TEACHER

OFFER 2 OFFER 4 OFFER 8

IN-SCHOOL IN-SCHOOL IN-SCHOOL
CLASSES CLASSES CLASSES

LAUNCH
FORM AFTER-SCHOOL FULLY SUSTAINABLE
PARTNERSHIP MUSIC PROGRAM
PROGRAM

OUTCOME: Music is reintroduced OUTCOME: School matches YMU’s OUTCOME: School fully embraces a
in-school for the first time investment culture of music

IMPACT: 50 students IMPACT: 120 students IMPACT: 220+ students

More
More
Morevalue
value
valuefor
for your
foryour
your
marketing
marketing investment.
investment.
marketing investment.
Calev
Calev
Systems
Systems
offers
offers
a comprehensive
a comprehensive
rangerange
of print,
of print,
paperpaper
and and
distribution
distribution MIAMI MIAMI
Calev Systems offers a comprehensive range of print, paper and distribution 5575 NW
557536th
NWMIAMI
Street
36th Street
solutions
solutions
to help
to help
our our
clients
clients
achieve
achieve
theirtheir
various
various
marketing
marketing
objectives.
objectives. 5575
MiamiMiami NW
Springs, FL36th
Springs, Street
33166
FL 33166
solutions to help our clients achieve their various marketing objectives. Miami Springs, FL 33166
CHICAGO
CHICAGO
Our Our
goalgoal
for all
forofallour
of clients
our clients
is toisdeliver
to deliver
moremore
valuevalue
for their
for their
investment
investment CHICAGO
912 Trakk
912 Trakk
Lane Lane
Our goal for all of our clients is to deliver more value for their investment 912 IL
Woodstock, Trakk
Woodstock, ILLane
60098 60098
by optimizing
by optimizingtheirtheir
financial
financial
spending,
spending,
timetime
and and
results.
results.
Let’sLet’s
startstart
a a Woodstock, IL 60098
by optimizing their financial spending, time and results. Let’s start a
conversation,
conversation,
call call
us atus 305.672.2900
at 305.672.2900 and and
let us
let know
us knowhow howwe can
we can
conversation, call us at 305.672.2900 and let us know how we can
helphelp
youryour
company
company execute
execute
its marketing
its marketing
plan.plan.
help your company execute its marketing plan.
We We
are are
proud
proud
supporters
supporters
of the
of the
Young
Young
Musicians
Musicians
Unite.
Unite.
We are proud supporters of the Young Musicians Unite. calevsystems.com
calevsystems.com
calevsystems.com

ASI 7 7 7 1 5 ASI 7 7 7 1 5
PPAI 255232 PPAI 255232
P E R R Y E L L I S C O R P O R AT E A P PA R E L

P E R R Y PEELRLRI Y

SAGE 68767 SAGE 68767

2022 2022 2022 2022

2022 2022
S C
EOL LRIPSOCROAT
R PEOA
RPAT
PAERA
EPL PA| R O
|
O R I G I N A L P E N G U I N C O R P O R AT E A P PA R E L

E LR I G| I NOARLI GPIENNAGLUPI N
E NCGOURI P
NOCROAT
R PEOA
RPAT
PAERA
EPL PA| R 2
|
2022

2022 E0L 2 2|
P E R R Y E L L I S I N T E R N AT I O N A L

P E R R YPE
ELRLRIY
S E
I NLTL E
I SR N
I NAT
T EI O
RNA
ATLIONAL

© 2021 PEI Lic ensing, LLC. Perry Ellis is a trademark

© 2021
of PEIPEI
Licensing,
Lic ensing,
LLCLLC.
or its
Perry
affiliates.
Ellis is
Ana Original
trademarkPenguin
of PEIby
Licensing,
Munsingwear®
LLC or its
andaffiliates.
the PenguinAn Original
logo arePenguin
trademarks
by Munsingwear®
of PEI Licensing,
and LLC
the Penguin
or its affillogo
iates.
areAlltrademarks
rights reserved.
of PEI Licensing, LLC or its affil iates. All rights reserved.

© 2021 PEI Lic ensing, LLC. Perry Ellis is a trademark of PEI Licensing, LLC or its affiliates. An Original Penguin by Munsingwear® and the Penguin logo are trademarks of PEI Licensing, LLC or its affil iates. All rights reserved.

OurOur
Comprehensive
Comprehensive
Services
Services
Our Comprehensive Services

Print Management/PaperPaper Creative

Print Management/ Creative Data Data QualityPremedia
Quality PremediaInventory
InventoryTranscreation
Transcreation
Print Management/ Paper Creative Data Logistics
Logistics Premedia
QualityResources Inventory Transcreation
Expertise Sourcing
Expertise SourcingServices
ServicesManagement
Management Logistics
Control
Control Resources Control
Control ServicesServices
Expertise Sourcing Services Management Control Resources Control Services

Magazine
Magazine production
production / printing
/ printing compliments
compliments of Calev
of Calev Systems
Systems
Magazine production / printing compliments of Calev Systems

proudly
proudly
supports
proudly supports
supports
 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
SAVANNAH BROWN
School: Myrtle Grove K-8
Grade: 6
Instrument: Guitar
I’ve been wanting to learn the guitar for
a while. Now that I’m a part of YMU, I’m
more excited to go to school on the days
I have music class. YMU not only gave
me a new hobby, it brought me closer
to my friends that joined the band class
and introduced me to teachers that are
patient and want to help us improve.
I even have the confidence to stand
up on stage in front of people now –
something I wouldn’t have been able to
do last year.

Since I joined, I’ve also noticed that my

focus has changed. For example, my
history class can be hard to understand
and I usually become unfocused; but
learning to play music has taught me to
pay closer attention when I’m learning.

I’m also a lot more interested in

becoming a better guitar player... even
if it means I can’t always paint my nails.

10
 ESTELLE MORALES
School: Miami Beach Senior High School
Grade: 11
Instrument: Voice
Since I joined the Miami Beach
Rock Ensemble, I’ve developed a
greater sense of self and a better
understanding of my craft. I walk
around more confident because I‘ve
identified what it is that I love to do
and how I want to carry myself. It‘s
really nice to go somewhere where
everyone understands the art. With
the mentors and other band members,
it’s not about trying to nitpick, it‘s just
about helping and building. All of us
as a collective want to perform well so
if you want to step out of your comfort
zone, no one is going to judge you.

Singing means a lot to me because it’s

coming directly from me rather than
being an extension of me. When I have
a passion or I care about something
I‘m singing or talking about, you’ll hear
it in my voice, in my emphasis on the
words. I love who I am when I‘m on
stage, and I want to bring that person
into my everyday life.

TERRY MOORE
School: Carol City Middle School
Grade: 8
Instrument: Alto Saxophone
11
Getting to go to band class and
playing songs has changed my
school days by giving me a safe
space to express myself with music.
I always wanted to learn to play an
instrument, but when I started out on
the saxophone, I would get frustrated
when I messed up or didn’t know
how to play something. However,
my teachers and my classmates
encouraged me to keep practicing
and take time with my music.

It helped me become more patient

with myself, and now I can express
my feelings through my horn
instead. My fast songs express my
excitement, and my slow songs
express my sadness. If I am stressed
about messing up, I give it another
go. It makes me happy that I’m
playing well on an instrument that
still feels new.
 JAVARIE TURNER
School: North County K-8 Center
Grade: 7
Instrument: Drums & Saxophone
Thanks to my YMU class, I gained new
friends and I learn exciting new things
more often. It lets me relax and have
fun with my classmates, especially
when we rehearse class songs or try
to come up with our own. Normally,
I’m a shy person, but I’ve noticed that
I’m opening up to others even outside
of school.

I feel more confident in the things I do

now; I’ve learned that you don’t have
to struggle with trying to be perfect.
It’s like playing in Drumline: at first,
playing 3 drums while holding them
all at once is pretty difficult, but the
more you relax and take it one step at
a time, the more you start to get the
hang of it.

SOPHIA SOTOMAYOR
School: Citrus Grove Middle School
Grade: 7
12 Instrument: Guitar
Music really inspires me. When
I start playing, it‘s like another
universe. Although I only started
playing guitar this year, I’ve already
learned multiple songs and even
recorded covers on Bandlab.

My performances with YMU have

given me a new experience performing
on stage, rather than in a classroom.
I did musical performances back in
elementary school, but it was easier
to blend in because I would sit in the
back. Now, I feel more confident being
front and center while singing and
playing guitar.
P R I V AT E L E S S O N S - Y O U T H B A N D S - A D U LT E N S E M B L E S - I N S T R U M E N T R E TA I L & R E PA I R S

The Wynwood School of Music

Proudly Supports Young Musicians Unite

W W W. W Y N D S C H O O LO F M U S I C . C O M
 JAYDEN SEYMOUR
School: Young Men’s Preparatory Academy
Grade: 7
Instrument: Drums
The drums are a source of happiness
to me and part of my everyday life.
As an instrument, the drums give me
something to take care of. Through
learning to play them, they’ve taught
me a lot about musical expression and
how it can move someone, whether on
stage or in the audience.

Being a part of YMU has given me a

reason to go to school every day and
achieve my goals. With the support of
my teachers and even the mentorship
of the more advanced YMU students, I
can come in and learn to play anything
I want, in the way I want to. There’s good
energy here and a lot of good people.

ALEX CRUZ
School: Lake Stevens Middle School
Grade: 6
14 Instrument: Music Production
I started learning how to make beats
on my own about a year ago and
joined the YMU music production
class when I went to middle school.
My family has a history of playing
different instruments – my parents
rap and beatbox, my brother plays
the guitar and my uncle plays the
drums – but I was never really into
music until I started experimenting
in my production class. I began to
understand the roles that different
genres have in our lives.

Since joining YMU, I’ve made a lot

of friends and have been really
enjoying myself in the program.
Making music is a way to express
how I’m feeling and to just have a
good time. Everyone has different
reasons for making music, but I
mainly like to hear my family say
that they‘re proud of me. That‘s all
I really want to hear.
 JEREMY CHAVARRIA
School: Miami Beach Senior High School
Grade: 12
Instrument: Guitar
Being part of the MBSH Rock
Ensemble has given me a taste of
the music industry. The experience
of playing live shows and learning
song has felt like being part of a
tour group; we’re like a little family.

When I first joined the Rock Ensemble,

I was definitely shy, especially when it
came to playing solos. But knowing
so many people my age that are also
into music opened my mind and gave
me the confidence to do more. My
mentors, Mac and Sammy, made me
feel that I was skilled enough to play
the music.

Now, playing music is the best way for

me to connect with others, because
it‘s the best way for me to express
myself. It‘s a gift to be able to play
in front of people and make them
feel how I feel without even talking
to them.

15
 RASHAWANA PEARSALL
School: Brownsville Middle School
Grade: 7
Instrument: Guitar
I started playing music this year in
my Modern Band class, and it’s been
a really cool experience. It’s changed
the way I listen to music. I am learning
guitar, but since we get to try out a lot
of different instruments, now I can
identify them in the songs I listen to.

My classroom space is also really

welcoming. When we need help, our
teacher, Mr. Montes, likes to work
with us both one-on-one and together
as a group to make sure everyone
understands. My classmates are really
supportive, and no one makes fun of
anyone for making a mistake.

Through YMU, I’ve met my closest

friends, and I get the opportunity to
have fun, express myself creatively and
escape reality. I hope I can continue to
play music throughout high school and
get my own guitar soon.

JUSTIN MORALES
School: Booker T. Washington Senior High School
Grade: 12
16 Instrument: Guitar
For me, playing an instrument is a way
to show my passion. Since I started
learning guitar with YMU, I feel like I
am able to be more myself on stage
and show more of my personality.
This helped me when I was made a
leader in my guitar class which meant
connecting and empathizing with the
other band members and inspiring
them to believe in themselves.

My teacher, Mr. Montes, also contributes

to this; he encourages us to practice a
lot and to keep going even when we
keep messing up. The biggest lessons
I’ve learned from him are to show your
commitment, stay consistent with
your instrument and enjoy what you
make of it.
 Zelkova Ventures is a
proud supporter of
Young Musicians Unite

SOUTHERN GLAZER’S
WINE & SPIRITS IS PROUD TO
SUPPORT YOUNG MUSICIANS UNITE
SOUTHERNGLAZERS.COM
© 2022 Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Empowering youth
through music.
Greenberg Traurig proudly supports
Young Musicians Unite
in their mission to provide
Miami-Dade County students with
access to free music education.

G R E E N B E R G T R A U R I G , P. A . | A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W | 2 4 0 0 A T T O R N E Y S | 4 2 L O C A T I O N S W O R L D W I D E ° | G T L A W . C O M

James A. Carenza | Shareholder | 333 SE 2nd Avenue | Suite 4400 | Miami, FL 33131 | 305.579.0500
WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS
Greenberg Traurig, LLP  GreenbergTraurigLLP  GT_Law GT_Law

United States, Europe,

Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All
rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. °These numbers are subject to fluctuation. Images in this advertisement do not depict Greenberg Traurig attorneys, clients,
staff or facilities. 36193
Middle East, Asia, Latin America
 IN-SCHOOL
MUSIC
PROGRAMS
OUR PROGRAMS
PROVIDE ACCESS
TO MUSIC
EDUCATION WHERE
IT OTHERWISE
WOULD NOT EXIST.
Young Musicians Unite provides
students of all levels a choice of 6
diverse in-school music courses.
Classes are open to students from
grades 4-12 where they learn in a
collaborative setting as they build
friendships, develop musical skills
and gain real-world experience
20 through group performances.

ALL YMU COURSES ARE

100% FREE TO STUDENTS.

29
Partnered Schools

3,000+
Students Served This Year

351,000
Lesson Hours Taught This Year
BEGINNING BAND
• This brass and woodwind-focused course is geared towards first-time band students.
Repertoire ranges from popular hits to marching band songs and jazz standards.
• Instrumentation: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Tuba, Baritone Horn,
Clarinet, Flute, Percussion

21
• Grades: 6-12
• Available on YMUClassroom.org

DRUMLINE
• This 100% percussion-based course is one of our most rigorous and disciplined
programs. Students work together as a unit to learn rudiments, read music and
prepare cadences for performances. These ensembles are featured in extracurricular
sports games, award ceremonies and public performances.
• Instrumentation: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Tenor Drums
• Grades: 6-12
• Available on YMUClassroom.org

MODERN BAND
• In this guitar-driven ensemble course, students master the basic techniques,
develop their knowledge of chords and learn to read music. Students play
Spanish-influeced instrumental music as well as popular songs.
• Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Percussion, Voice
• Grades: 5-12
• Available on YMUClassroom.org

MUSIC PRODUCTION
• This non-genre-specific course requires no previous musical training and offers
students the opportunity to compose, arrange and mix their own music. Students
create their own beats and original songs through GarageBand software on iPads.
• Equipment: iPads, Microphones, GarageBand, Recording Station
• Grades: 5-12
• Available on YMUClassroom.org
 PITCH + RHYTHM
• This fun and interactive course focuses on developing a basic understanding of
music through the use of percussion instruments and vocal training. This experience
provides students with the musical foundation necessary for a successful transition
into middle school.
• Instrumentation: Voice, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Percussion instruments

22
• Grades: 4-5
• Available on YMUClassroom.org

ORCHESTRAL STRINGS
• This course familiarizes students with string instruments and orchestral percussion.
Students focus on instrumental technique, intonation, reading music, and learning
both classical and popular repertoire.
• Instrumentation: Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Percussion
• Grades: 6-12
OUR MUSIC
FOOTPRINT
MIAMI BEACH
Fienberg Fisher K-8
Miami Beach Senior High
Nautilus Middle School
North Beach Elementary

MIAMI GARDENS
Barbara Hawkins Elementary
Beacon College Preparatory
Brentwood Elementary
Carol City Elementary
Carol City Middle School
Lake Stevens Elementary
Lake Stevens Middle School
Miami Carol City Senior High School
Miami Gardens Elementary
Myrtle Grove K-8
North County K-8
North Glade Elementary
Skyway Elementary

CENTRAL MIAMI
Booker T. Washington Senior High School
Brownsville Middle School
Citrus Grove Middle School
Coral Gables Senior High
Dr. Henry W. Mack/West Little River K-8
Jose de Diego Middle School
Miami Edison Middle School
Miami Northwestern Senior High
ONErpm Studio by Young Musicians Unite
Young Men's Preparatory Academy

HOMESTEAD
Leisure City K-8
South Dade Middle School
 AFTER-SCHOOL
PROGRAMS
CAREER
PREPAREDNESS
24 PROGRAMS
Our after-school programs increase career
preparedness by focusing on vocational
experiences for our students to prepare them for
employment or college scholarship eligibility.
Subjects: Audio/Recording, Video, Photography,
Live Rehearsals, Music Business, Music
Production, Songwriting, Mixing, Mastering,
Sound and Video Editing, Graphic Design,
Website Development, Social Media, Copywriting,
Podcast Production
PERFORMING
ENSEMBLES
YMU’s after-school performing ensemble
programs are open to the community and focus
on students who want to study music on a
deeper level. Students can participate in Rock
Ensembles, Jazz Combos or Stage Production
teams. Classes are kept small, ranging from 5 to
12 students, to ensure a more intimate mentor-
to-student experience.
Our performing ensembles participate in over
100 shows during our annual concert season.
ACADEMIC
INTERNSHIPS
YMU’s internship program is an opportunity for
students to gain valuable real-world experience,
knowledge and skills in diverse fields such as
Video Production, Photography, Audio Recording,
Marketing, Operations, Program Curriculum and
Development. Through these internships, YMU
provides life-long knowledge and learning between
students, professionals and the community to
ensure our youth are prepared for the future
workforce and have a solid understanding of the
music industry.
AUTISM PROGRAM
YMU recently started supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities through our Autism Program at South Dade Middle School
in Homestead.
Through instructor-led ‘‘Fun Friday’’ activities, students learn how to express themselves on their instrument of choice while
also having the opportunity to make music with others. The goal of the Autism Program is to expose students to professionally-
performed music in an environment that celebrates individual differences. We’re excited to see how the program progesses for our
students and faculty at South Dade Middle!
These are a few of our favorite photos that were taken at our Winter Music Showcase.

25

Young Musicians Unite has been a beacon of light for our students with autism at
South Dade Middle. Since the time this organization began teaching our students
how to use musical instruments and coming to make their Fridays joyful, we have
seen a significant drop in negative behaviors. Our students look forward to their
live music sessions which include playing an instrument, making different rhythms
or beats, and dancing along with the music.

This program has impacted our entire unit. Even our students who are sensitive to
sounds have adjusted to listening to soothing sounds and playing with
instruments. Music is impactful for students with autism and Young Musicians
Unite helps them build upon their social skills which in turn has improved their
behavior.

Kind Regards,
Kind Regards,
Elizabeth Y. Cuesta M.S.E.D
Behavior Management Teacher
ELIZABETH Y. CUESTA M.S.E.D
ELIZABETH Y. CUESTA M.S.E.D
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT TEACHER
26
ANNUAL
BENEFIT
CONCERT
Every year, our community comes together
to celebrate music, philanthropy and our
talented students. Our Annual Benefit
Concert is the biggest event we produce
throughout the academic year and, without a
doubt, the most exhilarating of all.

our community. Throughout the evening,

selected students from our school programs
perform in a vibrant outdoor venue, raising
C
Already in its ninth iteration, this event is not
just a concert but an all-encompassing
immersive experience that surrounds the
audience with music, good food, light spirits
and an overwhelming display of talent from

funds to support free music education across

Miami-Dade County. Throughout the years,
YMU has raised over $704,000 through this
annual event; last year alone we raised over
$250,000.

Tickets for this event go on sale at the

beginning of each spring semester – so be
on the lookout on our social media platforms.
If you would like to transform the future of
Miami-Dade Public School students today,
consider making a donation by scanning the
QR code on this page. Miami Beach Rock Ensemble performing at our 8th Annual Benefit Concert.

SCAN ME

YMU Drumline students surprise attendees with an up-close performance.

ONErpm
STUDIO
FREE YOUTH RECORDING STUDIO
Kailyn Auplan recording vocals for her new original song.
ONErpm Studio
is YMU’s newest
after-school
program!
Our Studio
ONErpm Studio by Young Musicians
Unite is a professional-level multimedia
studio that provides young creatives in
our community with free resources and
opportunities to take their education
to the next level. Since opening in the
fall of 2021, our studio has offered
the audio recording, music video
and podcast production, new music
distribution and photography.
Songwriting & Beat Making Class
Participating students have the
opportunity to create musical and
lyrical compositions, collaborate
with other students on joint projects
and distribute their songs through
the ONErpm platform. Lessons
Students creating original music.
Lily Kaplan recording the music video for her new indie-pop single.
cover a wide range of subjects from
composition, to music business,
production. Classes take place every
Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. 27
Music Video Production and
Photography
ONErpm Studio offers young
musicians a chance to build visual
portfolios for their music. Whether
it may be a photoshoot for a new
song’s cover art or a music video for
their upcoming song release, students
can work with our production team to
develop professional quality photos
and videos.
Book Your FREE Session
Students in Miami-Dade Public
Schools can book free studio time
to film college auditions, build their
music catalogs, produce visual
content and distribute their music on
digital streaming platforms worldwide.
Please visit our website to book your
FREE studio session today!
YMU.LIFE/studio
Jordan McAllister recording with the Jazz Collective.
 YMU CLASSROOM
Music
Resources
28
YMU has created a comprehensive and
innovative curriculum for five of our music
courses. These courses are used in class
by our teachers as well as at home by
students who want to keep developing
their musical skills. Each course includes a
syllabus, teaching guide, daily lesson plans,
supplemental sheet music and PDFs, play-
along tracks and video practice aids.
Participation in a course includes
one-on-one attention, fully
immersive classroom experiences,
student-led conversations,
community engagement,
masterclasses and student
presentations. All courses include
a culminating performance at the
end of each semester.
COURSE OFFERINGS
Beginning Band
Drumline
Modern Band
Music Production
Pitch + Rhythm

29
 PARENT
SPOTLIGHT
PAMELA
30
My son Patrick and I were first
introduced to Young Musicians Unite
when I was looking to enroll him
in middle school. At the time, we
attended the orientation for Young
Men’s Prep Academy (YMPA) where
they were showcasing their music
programs. The excitement of the
sixth and seventh-grade musicians
at orientation convinced Patrick to
join the YMU after school program.
Patrick eventually gravitated towards
the bass, and Gabe began to learn
the trumpet.
Since then, my sons have participated Thanks to YMU, Patrick has grown
in a number of other after-school a lot more confident in his playing
ensembles like the Jazz Education abilities, and Gabriel went from
Community Coalition and the New
World Symphony College Track
being irresponsible and uninvolved
in his ensembles to now taking
program. Gabriel is also a part of every musical opportunity
the South Florida Youth Symphony offered to him. And despite their
program and New Deco Ensemble. three-year age difference, YMU
Those things opened them up to transformed their relationship as
win awards like the Litchfield Jazz siblings. They began to challenge
Scholarship and the Gold Coast each other musically; in car rides, for
Jazz Scholarship. example, they would listen to jazz
songs and discuss the chords and
I was also very impressed with the the music.
mentorship that my kids received
with YMU, like getting to work with Every parent wants their kid to be
Jean Caze and Curtis Lundy. They’re able to take care of themselves, get a
so accustomed to working with college degree, and experience what
musicians of a high caliber that Gabe life has to offer. For my kids, YMU
and Patrick often don’t realize how laid the foundation for that. It gave
lucky they are. I have to remind them them opportunities like playing music
that even seasoned musicians don’t around the country, and they either
often get to have experiences like entered or are entering college based
theirs. Now that Patrick has graduated on music. I’m so proud of YMU’s vision,
and Gabe is in his senior year of high and the impact that it has made on
school, I get goosebumps seeing how our community.
much YMU has grown over the years;
the fact that thousands of kids get to Pamela Johnson
have the same opportunities as my Parent
children is amazing. Patrick & Gabriel Johnson
EDUCATOR
SPOTLIGHT

DR. APRIL
-

Music is one of the few experiences As a child, my parents’ philosophy was

„ that touches almost all of our senses, to introduce their children to music at
I have observed a universal language found in all an early age, and I learned to read and 31
students’
cultures around the world. As the play music throughout my educational
principal of Henry Mack, it is our belief
years. I am often reminded of my

growth through that students‘ exposure to music is an

essential part of their curriculum.
experience each time I enter our music
classroom and witness students
this musical engaged in learning their instruments.
YMU has impacted our school in This partnership between Miami-Dade
experience; in several ways. The host of talented County Public Schools and YMU is not
instructors provides daily elective only symbolic but dear to my heart.
just 3 months programming for students in our

since picking upper academy. I have observed The Wildcat Family is eternally grateful
students’ growth through this musical to YMU for connecting and fostering a
up drumsticks, experience; in just 3 months since lifelong culture of music at Dr. Henry
picking up drumsticks, they’re playing W. Mack/West Little River K-8 Center.
they’re playing a a full arrangement with their class.
YMU creates diversity in both its Dr. April Thompson-Williams
full arrangement curriculum and in allowing students Principal

with their class.“ to choose their instruments even Dr. Henry W. Mack
when their choices fall outside gender West Little River K-8 Center
norms. Since our partnership in 2020,
students have gained a forum to
express themselves through music.
A
 AN INTERVIEW WITH
AIDAN FINN
SENIOR
MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
BY DAVID ROLLAND
At only seventeen, Aidan Finn Johnston
has already been involved with music
for over a decade. “My parents put me in
SoBe Arts Music School when I was really
young, maybe six or seven. So I was learning
multiple instruments when I was a little kid,”
Johnston remembers.
It was the guitar, though, that really called his
name. And it was in eighth grade when that
instrument became the conduit for Johnston
joining Young Musicians Unite. “My guitar
teacher was going to leave for college. His
going away gift was getting me in contact
with Zach Larmer from YMU.”
Johnston joined the YMU Jazz Combo
which he said fit him like a glove. “We were
playing Haitian fusion jazz. I was learning
basic things I needed to know. They taught
me how to see the music conceptually, how
to decode it.”
It was an eye-opener for him to get to jam with
musicians from a wide range of ages. Being
one of the youngest in the Combo at the start
allowed Johnston the space to absorb all
„
“THEY TAUGHT ME
HOW TO SEE THE MUSIC
CONCEPTUALLY, HOW TO
DECODE IT.”
kinds of knowledge. It also gave him the
opportunity to emulate the eighteen-year-
olds in the room, which in turn helped him
get better at focusing. Now that he‘s aged
into an elder at Young Musicians Unite, he
passes those lessons on.
“The biggest lesson I learned was how to
communicate in a band setting. How to
be present in what everyone is doing and
what everyone wants to create. [The other
members] taught me about being on time
and that you‘re not just there to play the parts,
but also to feel the music.”
He‘s now a member of YMU‘s most
prestigious ensemble, The Jazz Collective.
Johnston says it has a few differences
from the Jazz Combo he started out in.
“Each group has its own flavor. The
Collective gets to decide their songs and
does a little more difficult music. There‘s
33
a little bit more maturity, though both
groups are really impressive.”
 For the Spring Benefit Concert to help
fundraise for YMU‘s mission of providing
free music education to students attending
Miami-Dade County Public Schools,
Johnston will be playing with that Collective.
He‘s excited to put on a show.
“We‘re going to play some cool tunes. There‘s
lots of individualism and conversations. We‘ll
be talking to each other through music, so
you can expect the unexpected.”
The Jazz Collective rehearses every Monday
as a unit, where they work on new songs and
even compose some of their own music.
But the members spend a lot more time on
their own getting to know their individual
instruments. Johnston, for example, says he
usually spends three hours a day getting to
know the boundaries of what kind of music
his guitar can make.
“My guitar is a relationship I‘m always
exploring; I‘m like a baby every time I touch it.
I‘ve kind of honed a process for my technique
where I have a certain way of looking at
“THE BIGGEST LESSON I
LEARNED WAS HOW TO
COMMUNICATE IN A BAND
SETTING. HOW TO BE
PRESENT.“
34
chords from a wide spectrum. The guitar
can be limited in that intervals are only
as wide as your fingers... but I‘m always
finding new ways to make sounds.”
He‘d like to continue getting to know
the guitar by pursuing studies at a
music school.
Johnston is currently in the process of
auditioning for colleges including the
University of Miami’s Frost School of
Music. “I just need to keep my grades
up,” he laughs. As his future continues to
unfold, Johnston says he‘s grateful for all
the musical knowledge and friendships
he‘s built over his years at Young Musicians
Unite.
“Music gives you freedom. It helps you
create anything you can come up with in
your own mind.”
 35

“MUSIC GIVES YOU FREEDOM.“

 ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
PATRICK
JOHNSON
I first joined YMU in the sixth grade after
attending the Winter Solstice show that the
organization was hosting at the Young Men’s
36 Preparatory Academy. I was impressed with the
performances and soon joined the after-school
guitar program. I didn’t like the guitar, though –
my fingers are big, and I couldn‘t deal with the
little strings and the plucking – so I wanted to
play something with bigger strings. I begged
our guitar instructor, Sammy Gonzalez, to let me
play bass every single day. After six months of
consistent asking, Sammy finally said I could give
it a shot. From there, everything changed for me.
During my time at YMPA, I was able to play the
bass in the Wynwood Jazz Combo and Wynwood
Rock Ensemble. Eventually, Jean Caze became
the combo teacher and we started to sound
amazing. With Jean, we were always playing
something crazy and different that got a reaction
from the crowd every time. Even now in college, a
lot of my bass lines are influenced by the different
styles I played in these groups – Haitian grooves,
gospel grooves, and rock grooves.
YMU definitely introduced me to a diverse set
of experiences. Both ensembles also gave me
never-ending friendships with the other members; I‘M THANKFUL
all of us went to school together every day so we
became family. Since it was just us being boys,
FOR EVERYBODY
IN YMU THAT
we were constantly cracking jokes and getting in WAS PUSHING
trouble, but we also had arguments and serious
FOR ME WHEN
moments. Learning to understand each other
was a big part of being in bands.To this day we’re
I WASN’T EVEN
still a family, and we continue looking out for PUSHING FOR
each other. MYSELF.
As far as my own confidence onstage, I can be
really hard on myself, and I’m still working on
cutting myself slack. But YMU taught me to be
consistent and not give up when things get hard.
I learned to take feedback better, and built thicker
skin because of it. YMU brought peace into my
life that has since allowed me to concentrate on
music rather than negative things.
I‘m thankful for everybody in YMU that was
pushing for me when I wasn’t even pushing for
myself. If it wasn’t for Sammy and my mom,
I would not have believed that music was
something I could pursue in college.
MAURICIO
HERNANDEZ
Even before I picked up the guitar, music was
in my blood. My dad plays some guitar and
IT’S SAFE TO
would always play classic Argentinian rock like
SAY THAT
ALL OF MY
Gustavo Cerati as a lullaby when I was growing
up. He would talk about my late grandad’s
CURRENT musicianship; he’d tell me about my grandad’s
FRIENDSHIPS flamenco-style influences and how he would
HAVE BEEN listen to the radio to learn songs by ear. But I
never really felt a personal connection to music
FOUNDED UPON
until my very first guitar class in Fienberg
MUSIC. Fisher K-8. Our teacher, Mr. Arnaldo Paseiro,
put a guitar in all of our hands and told us to
just start plucking the strings. Ever since then,
I developed a love for it and realized that it was
something I could do for the rest of my life.
I first heard of YMU when I joined the middle
school rock ensemble. We would go to Miami
Beach Senior High to watch the high school
Rock Ensemble perform, and I remember being
enamored by the YMU guitarist, Marcelo Araujo-
Cox. If Mr. Paseiro planted the seed of a love for
music in me, Marcelo was the water that helped
it grow.
When I joined the Miami Beach Senior High
Rock Ensemble as a frontline guitarist, it was
Sammy’s first year as director. It felt like history
was being made – I got to experience a new
music education program that would reach
out to an even bigger community over the
next few years. From the very beginning, the
band chemistry was natural. It was organic
for us to pick up the songs that we chose and
37
start jamming along to them. The experience
created a common ground for myself and other
musicians my age to engage and connect, and
it’s safe to say that all of my friendships have
been founded upon music.
My favorite memories are definitely of our
performances; we would put all our effort into
rehearsing for shows where we could let it
out and have a good time. Even now with my
band, Himalayan Salt Band, we try to recreate
that collaborative and creative environment in
all of our practices. At the moment, I’m trying
to go with the flow of things and not carry any
expectations for the band. We‘ll just keep on
growing and see what direction we want to take.
Whatever I end up doing, the most important
thing for me is to enjoy playing music at all times.
Despite all the differences in my musicality and
technical abilities between now and when I first
started playing, that initial feeling of performing
has stayed throughout, and that‘s probably the
reason why I still love to play music.
38

Hire Smart. Grow Your Business.

TEACHER
SPOTLIGHT
MARIAN CASTRO
Guitar & Orchestral

Music is a miracle that has the power to

transform the soul, mind and heart. As
a YMU teacher, I feel fortunate for the
opportunity to see children have fun and
discover their own musical abilities. I
remember one out-of-the-blue experience
where a group of teachers brought in a
tour group in the middle of class, and
we were asked to do a spontaneous
performance. At first, my students were
scared because it was the first time they
played in front of so many people. But
when we finished the song and all the
guests applauded, the expression in their
eyes was wonderful; there was so much
emotion in them, and you could feel
their happiness for what they had just
accomplished. I was lucky to witness the
discipline, focus, respect and love that
they had learned through music. 39

RENZO VARGAS
Drums

I love working with my YMU students by

acting as both a mentor and role model.
I want to show them that there is more
to music than just sound. Teaching a
child to read and perform a cadence is
a gift—it means giving them the ability
to express themselves musically. I love
seeing the students work together on
their songs. To me, they are creating their
own masterpiece by playing together as
one unit. It is truly an honor to be able
to work with YMU and connect with my
students through percussion. I live to
teach my students to hear the beauty in
every drum beat and every note. It is a
rewarding experience that brightens both
our futures.
 TEACHERS

“AS AN ORGANIZATION, YMU HAS

A.J. Hill
DONE A LOT FOR MY PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. THROUGH
THEIR SUPPORT, I’VE EXPERIENCED
ADVENTURES, CHALLENGES BUT
MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAPPINESS
WHEN I SEE MY STUDENTS CREATE
MUSIC THAT MAKES THEM SMILE.”
- MIGUEL PAGUA
Andrew Gonzalez

Angelo Izzo

40

Carlos Bianculli Corey Perez Edival Daniz

Gabriel Gutierrez Ivan Parra Jose Arvelo

“FOR ME, LEARNING MUSIC AS A CHILD OPENED THE DOORS

TO SO MANY NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN MY LIFE. BEING A
YMU TEACHER GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH
IMPORTANT VALUES SUCH AS RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY,
TEAMWORK AND DISCIPLINE THROUGH MUSIC. I FEEL VERY
FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE SAME NECESSARY
TOOLS TO THE NEXT GENERATION AND THEIR SUCCESS.”
-JOSE MONTES
Jose Montes
 “BEING A MUSIC TEACHER PROVIDES
ME WITH THE SATISFACTION OF
SHARING MY OWN LIFELONG
PASSION AND YOUNG MUSICIANS
UNITE HAS BEEN AN AMAZING
EXPERIENCE. I AM ALWAYS GREETED
Jose Ruiz
WITH SMILES AND EXCITEMENT
FROM MY STUDENTS IN MY CLASSES.
I LOVE WORKING WITH THESE
STUDENTS AND TRULY BELIEVE THAT
LEARNING MUSIC IS BENEFICIAL FOR
US ALL.”
- MARIA JOSE MONTEROS

Tom
MariaWitek
Jose Montero

41

Miguel Pagua
Kalil Bohannon

Taylor Vega

Richard Gonzalez Zacharie Small Maria Jose Montero

 INTERNS
Alexandra Fadel

Jonnathan Mendoza - Studio Intern

“The highlight of my internship with YMU so
far was being part of the YMUxRojas studio
sessions. I was able to learn so much about
music production, mixing and the overall
recording process that I will be able to look
Jonnathan Mendoza back on for the rest of my music career.”

Valerie Ingaroca

42

Steven Shapiro Kailyn Auplan

Luisana Ortiz

Luisana Ortiz - Marketing Intern

Sydney Greenwald Noah de la Portilla
Sydney Greenwald - Rock Ensemble Intern
“I love bringing music into students’ lives,
and YMU gives me the opportunity to do so
through interning and performing. One of my
favorite moments this year was working and
performing during the Annual Benefit Concert.
I can’t wait for the next one!”
“Working as an intern for YMU allows me
to give back to the same music community
that supported me throughout my time as an
MDCPS student.”
Noah de la Portilla - Programs Intern
“Being in the programs department, I recognize
the amount of work everyone puts into the
organization to keep it running. I love seeing
how much of an impact we are making on
all of the students who may not have an
education in music if it weren‘t for YMU.”
HOST COMMITTEE OUR PARTNERS
JB Aleman (Chair) Achieve Music Miami Beach Arts & Culture
Michaline Babich
Jaleh Bast
Arts 4 Learning
Bass Museum of Art
Miami Beach Department of Tourism & Culture
Miami Beach OnStage! 43
Stephen Gans Bassology Around The World Miami Design District
Sammy Gonzalez Batchelor Foundation Miami Foundation
Children‘s Trust Miami Gardens Music Alliance
Melanie Greenwald
Citizens Interested in the Arts Miami Heat Charitable Fund
Shari Gurkin
City of Miami Beach Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
Ezra Kassin Coral Gables Community Foundation Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Susan Leitner D’Addario Foundation Miami Music Project
Mark Meland D’Angelico Guitars Miami New Times
Adam Mopsick Deco Productions Michael Schwartz Catering and Events
Michael Schwartz Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program Music Access Fellowship
Elaine Segrera ELMA Philanthropies Music for Memories
Jep Thornton Fender Play Foundation National Endowment For The Arts
Florida Division of Cultural Affairs NBCUniversal Foundation
PLANNING Frost School of Music New World Symphony
Gibson Gives Nu Deco NXT
COMMITTEE ONErpm
GroundUP Music
Gabrielle Anwar Guitars Over Guns Overtown Youth Center
Gabrielle Fraenkel Hungry for Music Radical Partners
Sammy Gonzalez Interlochen Center for the Arts Reverb Gives
Shari Gurkin Jaguars United Rhythm Foundation
Jazz Foundation of America Save The Music Foundation
JECC Jazz Ensemble STEAM MDCPS
Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation STEAM+ Miami Beach
Key Biscayne Women‘s Giving Circle Symphonettes
Kirk Foundation Wynwood School of Music
 COMMUNITY
LEADERS
ALBERTO CARVALHO
Former Superintendent of
Miami-Dade County Public Schools

“Who could have ever thought that

a program that started out with
just 8 students would grow as a
source of inspiration to hundreds in
our community? Music requires no
dictionary nor google search for it to
be understood. It speaks directly to the
soul. That is why its impact on the lives
of our students is so important, and
why MDCPS will continue to partner
with Young Musicians Unite.”

Alberto Carvalho

44

STEPHEN GIBB
Musician, Songwriter & Producer

“Having a mentor in your life is the

difference between whether or not you will
pursue music for the rest of your life. That
is why I support Young Musicians Unite
and everything they do in the community;
they are giving students the gift of music
mentorship, and that is something that will
always serve them well.”

Steven Gibb
 STUDENT ACCOLADES
INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Students were accepted and provided with a full scholarship for
Summer Camp 2021.

Isabella DeJesus Gabriel Johnson

Jaylen Tyson Deo Budnevich
Joshua Hanson Erwin Dorsainville
Tyrell Varnado Kalea Concepcion
Guerwen Gue Jaleel Price
Anthony Martinez

45
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES AWARDS
Gabriel Johnson - Trumpet Florida Band Association 2022
University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance Superior: Guerwen Gue, Benjamin de la Cruz, Santiago de
(Full Scholarship) la Cruz, Moises de la Cruz, Lenczky Meriluz, Nathan Heart,
Santos Mendoza, Christopher Petit-homme
Erwin Dorsainville - Trombone
Excellent: Tyrell Varnado, Christopher Ramos, Nathan
Interlochen School of the Arts - Post Grad (Full Scholarship)
Mendoza, Christof Mendoza, Josiah Gideon, Galel
Patrick Johnson - Bass Betancourt
University of North Florida (Scholarship) YoungArts Jazz Guitar Merit Winner
Jake Aleman - Classical Guitar Aidan Johnston, Guitar, Jazz Collective
University of Florida and Florida State University (Full Scholarship) University of Miami - MusicReach Program
Jackson Mopsick - Guitar Seven students were selected to participate in the Frost
School of Music Mentorship program: Guerwen Gue,
University of Florida (Full Scholarship) Deo Budnevich, Anthony Martinez, Cody Kilcoyne, Miguel
Cooper Adams - Music Business Messa, Erwin Dorsainville, Tyrell Varnado
Miami Dade Community College
Arya Chatani
Babson College
Jamya Peeples - Keyboard
Virginia State University
Emmanuel Flor-Acevedo - Guitar
Florida International University
 Originally published by the Miami Herald, October 29, 2021
HOT OFF THE PRESS
At the age of 10, Starina D’Haiti came to the
U.S. as a refugee in a military plane after her
home country of Haiti was devastated by an
earthquake in 2010. For two years her family
lacked a permanent home, moving from one
friend’s house to another. As her home and
surroundings changed frequently, a constant in
her life was the Miami Music Project.
“It’s home,” D’Haiti, 20, said of the Miami Music
Project, which she credits with helping her get
acclimated to American culture.
Founded in 2008, the Miami Music Project
provides free after-school music education to
under-resourced communities, as 96% of its
students come from low-income households.
Across five locations, the Miami Music Project
uses music to teach children foundational life
46 skills that will help them not only in school but
also in the workforce.
“To learn to play an instrument you have to put
in hours and hours and struggle and frustration
By Jesse Lieberman
and more struggle,” says Anna Klimala,
president of Miami Music Project. A double
bass player with a master’s degree in music
education, Klimala explains it’s the struggle that
can be so beneficial. “It teaches you patience,
determination, concentration, memory – all
of these things which have nothing to do with
music but everything to do with your success
in life.”
Klimala’s belief in the change that music
education can bring isn’t just based on
her experiences as a musician. The Miami
Music Project, in conjunction with the Florida
International University, conducted a three-
year study looking at Miami Music Project’s
programs. A few of the notable findings of
the study were a 93% increase in effective
communication, a 96% increase in self-
motivation and a 92% increase in self-esteem
among participants.
Among the Miami Music Project’s alumni, 100%
of them have graduated from high school and
100% of them have gone on to some form of
higher education. The program boasts alumni
at schools such as Berklee College of Music in
Boston and the University of Chicago.
Eduardo Chocron is one of those students.
A 20-year-old immigrant from Venezuela, he
arrived in the country speaking no English and
is now a second-year student at Berklee.
“They kind of took me in,” Chocron said. “They
led me to everything that has happened to me.”
Chocron also emphasized the leadership skills
that music can teach. Unlike some, Chocron
arrived knowing how to play his instrument, but
the Miami Music Project pushed him to be a
better musician.
“I became a concert master of their leaders’
orchestra,” he said. “They motivated me to
lead and become a good leader; it was a good
challenge for me.”
Like Chocron, the Miami Music Project helped
D’Haiti develop her leadership skills as well.
Nearly a decade after her first lesson, D’Haiti
now teaches cello for the Miami Music Project.
“It kinda comes full circle,” she said.
LEADERSHIP, PRACTICE, PATIENCE
Another charity that focuses on music
education is Young Musicians Unite. Founded
by 35-year-old Sammy Gonzalez, the Miami
nonprofit partners with middle schools that
don’t have music programs. Through the
partnership, Young Musicians Unite provides
instruments and teachers to the school and
helps them build a music program over a three-
year period.
“We’re going to teach you how to do this, we’re
going to onboard you and you slowly take
ownership of the program,” Gonzalez said.
Although Gonzalez says the schools are the
primary drivers of the program by year three,
Young Musicians Unite continues to help with
instrument repairs, field trip forms, fundraising
and other administrative duties that can be
taxing on teachers.
In addition to running the nonprofit, Gonzalez
also runs a music school and works with
particularly talented musicians from the Young
Musicians Unite classes. Gonzalez espouses
the same benefits of music education as
Klimala: leadership, practice, patience and
social skills.
Guerwen Gue, 16, was in sixth grade and had
never considered playing an instrument until he
took a class from Young Musicians Unite.
“I thought it was going to be like any other
class where you’d just be on your phone and
not really do anything,” Gue said. “But the first
class blew me away. I thought, ’these people
are so talented and they are here to perform
for us’.”
Although initially skeptical, five years later Gue
is able to list the ways music has helped him.
“I have been able to better myself socially, have
better grades, be a better reader...and be nice to
people,” Gue said. “I realized first impressions
really matter.”
Gue previously thought he would work at a fast
food restaurant after high school; he is now
planning on being the first person in his family
47
to go to college. He has a scholarship to
Interlochen Center for the Arts, a prestigious
music program in Michigan, and hopes to
transfer to the Juilliard School in New York one
day. He hopes to come back to Miami and give
back to those that helped him.
 IMPACT REPORT
YMU measures impact and our students’ development by monitoring their grades and attendance in partnership
with MDCPS, conducting biweekly check-ins, evaluating lesson plans and student outcomes, and administering
comprehensive surveys twice annually that measures attitudes towards school, social-emotional learning (life
skills) and behavioral change.

YMU Behavioral Surveys

Our assessments give us a 360-degree view of our programs‘ effectiveness and impact by weaving together
feedback from students, core subject teachers, school administrators, and parents.

Increased Increased Reported

motiviation optimism for the improvement in
90% to excel 87% future 80% managing their
time outside the
acadamically
classroom

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by Hello Insight

We have enlisted a third party, Hello Insight, to provide independently verified data regarding the needs,
preferences and social-emotional profile of our students benchmarked at a national level. These insights
are continuously implemented in our programs, serving as the foundation of our teaching methodology and
deepening the impact of our teachers, administrators and parents.
48
A Case Study of Carol City Middle School
In 2018, Young Musicians Unite began its partnership with Carol City Middle School and re-introduced the
music program for the first time since 2010. With the help of the school‘s administration, we have tracked
student progress across a variety of categories that have resulted in transformative changes that are here
to stay.

MDCPS DATA
YMU has formed an official partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools to monitor our student’s
grades, attendance and behavior to assess the impact of music programming on their long-term academic
development.

49

Grades 8% GPA average increase

Students observed an average GPA increase of 8%

 PARTNER BANDS
Our partner band members are students from the Wynwood School of Music whose families have made a commitment to
raising funds through performances, playing side-by-side shows with YMU students, engaging in peer-to-peer mentoring
during our after-school programs and serving on YMU’s Annual Host Committee. We are thankful for the dedication and
support of these young mentors and families. To date, our partner bands have raised over $850,000 for free music
education benefiting those in need.

NOT YET PUBLISHED

London Roth, Valentina Koehler, Armando Segrera, Abraham Kassin, Roberto Kassin, Reid Rosenberg, Sammy Greenwald

50

AVALANCHE ARROWHEAD
Ivy Rosenberg, Noah de la Portilla, Santiago Sauceda, Levi Gans, Adam Chopp, Caleb Samuel, Harry Schwartz,
Deo Budnevich, Cooper Adams, Logan Moskovitz, Max Bast Sydney Greenwald, Estelle Morales, Lily Kaplan
FINANCIAL REPORT
ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Revenue 2018/2019 * 2019/2020 * 2020/2021 * 2021/2022 Projections

FY19 Actuals % of Total FY20 Actuals % of Total FY21 Actuals % of Total FY22 Budget % of Total
Grant and Foundation Revenue $ 270,066 50% $ 510,690 66% $ 665,468 60% $ 979,415 59%
Special Event Revenue $ 141,373 26% $ 94,617 12% $ 226,661 21% $ 312,500 19%
Contribution Revenue $ 43,910 9% $ 61,582 8% $ 51,111 5% $ 62,500 4%
In Kind Revenue $ 82,700 15% $ 106,035 14% $ 162,157 14% $ 305,000 18%

Total Revenue $ 538,049 100% $ 772,924 100% $ 1,105,397 100% $ 1,659,415 100%

Expenses

Program Services $ 223,875 60% $ 414,350 76% $ 739,715 79% $ 1,248,832 75%
Marketing and Fundraising $ 40,920 11% $ 42,764 8% $ 71,643 8% $ 188,241 11%
General and Administrative $ 110,929 29% $ 89,981 16% $ 122,604 13% $ 222,342 14%

Total Expenses $ 375,724 100% $ 547,095 100% $ 933,962 100% $ 1,659,415 100%

Change in Net Assets $ 162,325 $ 225,829 $ 171,435 $ 0

Number Of Students 675 1319 2437 3000
Annual Cost Per Student $ 557.00 $ 415.00 $ 383.00 $ 553.00
Number Of Classes Offered Each Year 22 42 71 84
Average Number Of Classes Per Student 80 80 80 80
Average Lesson Hours Per Student 120 120 120 120
Total Lesson Hours (1.5 Hours Per Class) 81,000 158,280 292,440 360,000
Hourly Cost Per Student $ 4.64 $ 3.46 $ 3.19 $ 4.61

* These numbers have been audited by an independent certified accountant.

51

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS OF JULY 31, 2021

Assets Liabilities and Net Assets

Current Assets Current Liabilities

Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 674,907 Accounts Payable and accrued expenses $ 19,506
Accounts Receivables $ 27,160
Long Term Liabilites
Total Current Assets $ 702,067
Note Payable $ 45,828
Furniture and Equipment, Net $ 41,203
Total Liabilities $ 65,334

Total Assets $ 743,270

Net Assets

Without donor restrictions $ 372,491

With donor restrictions $ 305,445

Total Net Assets $ 677,936

Total Liabities and Net Assets $ 743,270

 OUR

SAMMY GONZALEZ
Chief Executive Officer

Young Musicians Unite was founded by Sammy Gonzalez, a

Miami-born, internationally acclaimed musician and mentor.
Sammy recognized the staggering lack of music education in
many of Miami’s underserved communities and created YMU
as a response to this deficiency. Sammy has over 18 years of
experience working in music education and has taken YMU from
eight to over 3,000 students in only nine years. Sammy has played
over 1,000 concerts, gone on 15 U.S. tours and landed spots
at SXSW music festival and Van’s Warped Tour. As First Chair
in the Miami Beach Classical Guitar Quintet, he toured the US
and Japan winning awards at both regional and national levels.

52

ZACH LARMER
Chief Operating Officer

Zach is an internationally acclaimed jazz musician and educator.

As a performer and composer, he has toured around the world
and worked alongside artists such as Pat Metheny, John Scofield
and The Steve Miller Band. Zach is also the guitarist on the three-
time GRAMMY-award-winning album, American Dreamers: Voices
of Hope and Freedom. As a music educator for the last 13 years,
Zach has focused on creating an infrastructure for musicians to
support their growth as they transform into formidable artists.
 MELANIE GREENWALD
Chief Financial Officer

A New York native, Melanie relocated to Miami Beach with her

husband Eric in 2001. Melanie is a CPA who has previously
worked in a finance and accounting capacity at a variety of
firms including a major accounting firm and Fortune Magazine.
Melanie joined as YMU’s first employee in 2016 and has served
as YMU’s Chief Financial Officer since 2018. Melanie loves the
people she works with and, most importantly, the great work
that YMU does for our community. Melanie and Eric have three
children, Eliza, Sydney and Sam, all of whom have been involved
in YMU.

PEDRO DIAZ KATHY ACOSTA

Program Director Operations Manager

“I am excited to work at YMU “It has been an exciting year

as I believe that impacting with YMU, especially since
individual students through the opening of our recording
music and access to a better studio. Certainly, working with
education is not only a catalyst a new team of thoughtful
for self-improvement but the creatives has been the
beginning of a chain-reaction highlight for me.”
that improves life at home and
the community at large.”

53
ANDREA AMOROSI JUAN PELAEZ
Marketing Director Regional Director

“I personally never had the “My main motivation to serve YMU is

opportunity to learn to play to help students have access to music
an instrument in school, and education and to create a nourishing and
looking back, I really wish I creative environment in their community.”
had. Music is such a huge
part of my daily life now, and
I am excited to help YMU
create those opportunities for
students in school today.”

PAUL RABUT TASHIMA MATHIS

Regional Director Executive Assistant

“I firmly believe that music is “I love working for YMU because

one of the best outlets to cope it is an organization that truly
with daily stress and to stay cares about the future of students
hopeful. YMU has given me a in Miami-Dade County. YMU
unique opportunity to increase encourages students to follow their
the access that students have to music passions and gives them
quality music education as well the resources to do so whether in
as improve music programs and school or after school.”
keep the curriculum relevant.”
 MARTE SIEBENHAR
Fundraising Consultant
“Growing up, I was never exposed to
the opportunities that YMU participants
engage in. I feel it‘s my duty as a musician
and a member of my community to
help YMU provide the youth with
programming that helps them pursue
their passion for music and creates a
positive impact on their lives.”
CHRISTINE
OLIVERA
Videographer & Photographer
“I love working for YMU because
seeing the way the organization
impacts the lives of students
through music is truly an amazing
experience to be part of.”
54
DAVID LOPEZ
Production Assistant
“At YMU, I see my efforts given back to the
community directly. I hold music deep in
my heart, and it‘s a blessing to get to give
it to others.“
ALEX WEITZ
Video Editor
“It has been a pleasure working with
YMU on their innovative and forward-
thinking curriculum. Helping to create
regular high-quality video and audio
content for their ensembles provides
students with valuable recording
experience at a young age.”
CHRISTOPHER
“LEVEN”
JACKSON
ONErpm Studio Manager
“Being here at YMU is such an
amazing experience because I
am surrounded by passionate
people and students who value
arts education and who see the
powerful impact that music has
on our community.”
CARLO BARBACCI
Audio Engineer
“At YMU, I do what I love every day: gain
experience working on music/audio
in a professional studio environment
while giving young musicians the
same opportunity. This experience is
something I wish I had in the past, and
I am more than happy to help provide it
to the community.”
RYAN HAFT
Audio Engineer
“I believe music education and
access to musical resources are
incredibly valuable to students
of any age or skill level. It shaped
my early years, and I am happy
to be involved in granting that
experience to others through my
work with YMU.“
BOARD MEMBERS
01

02 03 04 05 06

07 08 09 10 11

55
01 Jamie Rosenberg 07 Mark Meland
Chair | CEO | ClassWallet Co-Founder | Meland Russin 12 13

& Budwick, P.A.

02 Jose B Aleman 08 Adam Mopsick
Vice Chair | Managing Partner
CEO & Founder | Amicon
Axeso Strategies
Construction

03 Gabrielle Anwar 09 Derek Negron

Filmmaker, Writer, & Actress Administrator Director | ETO
Schools for MDCPS
04 Stephen Gans
Treasurer | Gans Family 10 Michael Schwartz
Investments LLP James Beard Award-winning
Chef & Founder | The Genuine
05 Sammy Gonzalez Hospitality Group
CEO & Co-Founder | Founder
Wynwood School of Music
11 Jep Thornton
Managing Partner | Aerolease YMU WAS FOUNDED
IN 2013 BY SAMMY
06 Barrington Irving 12 Cary Zel 13 Leslie Zigel GONZALEZ, JEFFREY
Founder & CEO | The Flying Secretary | Executive Vice Chair of Entertainment MILLER, AND
Classroom, Experience Aviation President | PWX Solutions SMGQ Law VIRGINIA AKAR
 OUR SUPPORTERS
$500,000+ Melanie and Eric Greenwald Crystal Capital Partners, LLC
Miami Beach Cultural Affairs Damian & Valori LLP
Daniel R. Lewis, Music Access Fellowship
Michael Schwartz Catering David Segrera
The Miami Foundation
National Endowment of the Arts Doug Imbruce
$250,000-$499,000 Racket Duane Morris LLP
Miami-Dade County Department of Renee Gans Eric & Victoria, Sophia and Rose Elliott
Cultural Affairs Silvia Coltrane of RETI Fabio Alexander
Southern Glazer‘s Wine and Spirits Gerrard Family
$100,000-$249,999 Stephen Larmer Halpern Rodriguez LLP
ELMA Philanthropies Stephen M. Sander Foundation IGT Media Holdings
Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation Symphonettes Jennifer and Justin Elegant
STEAM+ Funded by the City of Miami Beach Tripcap John and J.B. Aleman
Uproot Wines Kassin Family
$50,000-$99,999 Kenneth O‘Keefe
$5,000-$9,999
The Batchelor Foundation Larry & Millie Magid Family
Comcast/NBC6 3 Sons Foundation, Inc. Foundation
ONErpm Breakthru Beverage Larry Begley
Chelsea Aviation Lehr Family
$25,000-$49,999 City Construction Group, Inc. León Cosgrove, LLP
American Engineering and Development Coral Gables Community Foundation Leslie and Marty Steinberg
Corporation D‘Addario Foundation Lina Eusse
Amicon Construction Deborah and Neil Bienstock LSN Partners
Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation Inc. Ines Rivero and Ernesto Estrada Luis and Gisela Segredo
Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Inktel Holdings Corporation, LLC Mark Meland
Gans Family Jessica and Jay Kaplan Memo and Cynthia Sauceda
Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Kahunah Properties Menu Men
Greenspoon Marder, LLP Karen Fryd Michael Scheitelman
Jeffrey Miller Kobi Karp Architecture Interior Design Nancy and Stephen Bernstein
Kirk Foundation Lisa and Jamie Rosenberg Office of Mayor Dan Gelber and the
Miami Beach OnStage! Lourdes and Charles Humble City of Miami Beach Commission
Miami Design District Marilyn Milian and John Schlesinger Paragon Development LLC
Save The Music Foundation Miller Family Phil Hudson

56 Wynwood School of Music Mopsick Family

Neelam and Bharat Chatani
Plastridge Insurance Agency
Reef Technology
$10,000-$24,999 Plaza Construction Reservations.com
Akar Family Randy Gumenick Sandy Kauffman
Boucher Brothers Reverb Gives Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Children‘s Trust Roth Family Schwebke-Shiskin & Associates, Inc.
Citizens Interested in Arts, Inc. The Related Group Segrera Associates
D’Addario Foundation The Story Room Sky Harbour
Diane and Marc Greenwald Withers Worldwide SMS Lodging
Francis Glowacki $1,000-$4,999 Stacey and Jon Chopp
Goldstein & Company Susan Billante
Jay Levy of Zelkova Ventures Andrea and Fred Fraenkel Schwartz Family
Jep Thornton Angel Febres Tera and Isaac Kodsi
Karen Adler and Larry Greenwald Antoinette and Cary Zel Terra Group
Krillion Ventures Appelrouth, Farah & Co., P.A. The CDL School
Leslie Miller Atlantic & Pacific Property Management Walt Grace Vintage
Mary and John Hammel Bridge Development Partners, LLC XXI Wine & Spirits
Matlick Family Calev Systems
Max Ida Fred & Marji Strauss Foundation Chariff Realty Group
Miami Heat Foundation Classwallet
Young Musicians Unite

@youngmusiciansunite

Young Musicians Unite

@youngmusiciansu

@youngmusiciansunite

SCAN ME