Testimonials
Here at Young Musicians Unite we firmly believe that Mentorship and Equity are the greatest gifts we can give to our children. We focus on helping our students express themselves through daily music lessons and by providing strong mentors who guide students in a safe space as they develop their voice in the world — a place where every student can make mistakes, learn, push forward and create their own successful path in life.
Student Spotlights
Metuchaelle Beautelus
I started playing with YMU about three years ago when I attended Jose De Diego Middle School. Playing music has made me more open both socially and on stage. Being part of a band has made me focus on school and gave me something to look forward to after-school instead of getting in trouble.
Playing music has helped me get through many struggles, including battling depression and low self-esteem. YMU has helped me see that the future is always better and brighter, and greater opportunities await.
Singing has given me a voice and freedom to express myself through song and movement and has opened the gates of opportunity for me on my musical journey. Thank you YMU, Sammy Gonzalez, and Mr. Juan for helping me move up and achieve my dreams.
Kyle Tennyson
I began playing trombone with YMU in my freshman year. Playing with YMU has allowed me to do many things that I otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity for, like playing with renowned jazz musicians such as Tal Cohen, Jean Caze, and Alex Weitz. I imagine that other high schoolers dream of these opportunities and I'm thankful that they were provided to me. Now that I play an instrument, I get to do what I love every day.
Now that I am graduating, I plan on attending FSU on a full scholarship in the fall. I want to thank the YMU staff for everything I have been blessed with over this course of these past four years. To name one of many examples, I was recently named the winner of an additional $8,000 scholarship from the D’Addario Foundation.
In my 4 years of YMU, my roles have evolved as my behavior has changed and improved. In the first year, I was a new student just learning how to play. In my sophomore year, I became a student leader and began to be respected by my peers. In my junior year, I became a mentor for my peers and enjoyed sharing my experience with them. This year, I am a student performer, a leader, a mentor, and an intern for YMU.
My journey through the program has been long and winding, but the YMU staff has always done everything they could to help me grow as a musician and as an individual. I can wholeheartedly say that when I return from FSU, I am looking forward to becoming an instructor for Young Musicians Unite to help them reach even more students like me.
Erwin Dorsainville
Young Musicians Unite changed my life. When I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to play music. Whenever I tried something out, my interest would fade quickly, and I just wasn’t inspired. At least, until I found the saxophone. I still remember being curious about the instrument with all the weird buttons and then falling in love with when I played my first note. I ran behind my church and played a bunch of nonsense just trying to make sound. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I loved it. It was SOMETHING.
This year I was named First Chair for saxophone in the Superintendent’s Honor’s Big Band which is a band made of all of the best players in the school district. When I first found out, I couldn’t even believe it. To be honest, I thought it was a prank! Learning all the music for the performance in only two days was really challenging but really cool too. I got to see all those really talented musicians around me, and it inspired me to get on their level.
I know that I still have a long way to go. My palms are still sweaty after each performance, and there’s so much music to learn. But by practicing over and over again, I’m turning my fears and nervousness to excitement, and I keep improving. In their program, I’m not just inspired to be better by the Mentors, but by my bandmates too. YMU has given me freedom to play the music I love and express myself with my bandmates and friends. I’m thankful that YMU gave me the opportunity to play music and learn so much. In the future, I hope to attend college for music and make my own music inspired by artists like Sungazer, Braxton Cook, Marquis Hill and Thundercat. But I know that no matter what, music has changed my life forever.
Nicholas Gelin
Music has been part of my life since the age of four. Music is part of my soul and something that has grown under my skin allowing me to move through life at my own pace. When I learned to read music in elementary school, I finally connected the music that I hear in my head with the black dots on the lines of the paper.
When I entered middle school, I joined the guitar club where I learned to play the guitar and joined Young Musicians Unite. At school, I played the clarinet but found my true interest when I learned to play the trumpet. I became very interested in Jazz and Rock music.
Mr. Sammy does so much for us. He mentors us, teaches us to learn music by figuring it out, which makes us better musicians. He is able to give us constructive criticism that will bring out the best in us. It's as if he can see and pulls out the best of our future potential. Through his mentoring, Mr. Sammy knew I wanted to attend New World School of the Arts (NWSA). He was instrumental in getting me lessons from the Fellows at New World Symphony to prepare for my audition. It was there that I started appreciating classical music too. Once I found out I was accepted to NWSA, he was one of the first people we called.
Playing the trumpet with Young Musicians Unite has helped me become comfortable playing different genres of music. We play rock, soul, and some R&B and it has been a pleasure being part of this band full of fun and energy. Young Musicians Unite gives me a sense of freedom and expression. For example, every concert I get the chance to improvise the music I'm playing and improve my musical skills. I always hope that what I get to play and share with the audience shows them what I'm feeling on the inside. That is something that music will always mean to me and I wonder where I would be if I didn't have music in my life.
Sammy Gonzalez is a generous, caring and humble mentor. When I was in need of a trumpet he was the one that collaborated with other musicians and got one for me. I thank him for being who he is because he cares. I hope his dream of wanting to have free music education available to all children in Miami-Dade County Public Schools comes true one day.
Student Interview Videos
Educator Spotlight
Derek Negron
Principal
Miami Carol City Middle School
With the absence of music education at Carol City Middle for the past ten years, Young Musicians Unite ignited a fire that will not go out. Providing both in-school and after-school music programming for students is a dream for our school. More so, providing quality music education through experienced, talented and compassionate teachers is priceless.
Music is a language by which we are connected. This common thread speaks to the hearts and souls of all. More importantly, we are seeing the transformative power of music at Carol City Middle. In just one year, our students have made tremendous strides in academic performance and social development. Sixty-three percent of participants have improved attendance, over eighty percent of students have improved their academic performance in either reading or mathematics and over fifty percent of students have a decrease in behavioral infractions.
These results, coupled with students’ report of better self-assurance and improved self-image, speaks to the impact of YMU’s presence in our school. There is obviously a powerful connection happening that our students and community will benefit for years to come. I am confident that the work has just begun, and the best is yet to come!
Patricio Suarez
District Supervisor, Performing Arts
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Through Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ partnership with YMU, we are achieving our shared goal of providing all students with access to the highest-quality music education. Together with other great community partners, we are ensuring that our schools are equipped with qualified instructors, musical instruments, technology and other resources necessary to engage our students with music learning in a challenging, safe and nurturing environment.
YMU enhances music education in our schools through their in-school and after-school programs. They create and lead new ensembles and provide support for existing M-DCPS music programs. Their instructors have expertise in a wide variety of areas, resulting in the development of outstanding jazz bands, rock ensembles, guitar ensembles, horn ensembles, concert bands and drumlines.
In addition, YMU supports M-DCPS’ commitment to engage our students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education through their focus on music technology and sound engineering. They are a vital partner in the innovative STEAM Plus program that brings schools together with prestigious cultural institutions in the City of Miami Beach.
As the African proverb observes, it takes a village to raise a child. YMU has been, and continues to be, an important and valued partner to MDCPS in ensuring that our students reach their creative, artistic, and personal potential.
Pierre Edouard
Principal
Young Men’s Preparatory Academy
There is little doubt that learning to play a musical instrument enhances brain development, encourages academic success, and even enriches a child’s social skills by reducing stress and anxiety. Since 2013, the year Young Musicians Unite (YMU) began working with talented musicians at Young Men’s Preparatory Academy, the benefits mentioned above have been present and evident at our school.
YMU has aided Young Men’s Preparatory Academy in fostering the tenets by which we guide our students: Scholarship, Leadership, Integrity, and Character. Whether through the introduction of the guitar ensemble in 2013, the jazz combo in 2015, or the re-introduction of the drum line in 2017, YMU and its mentors have reinforced academics, leadership and dedication to the community. In fact, we can humbly boast that several of our students have received full music scholarships, and have even, as alumni Caleb Alcime has done, become YMU mentors themselves.
Over 160 students have directly benefitted from this program- our students have proudly participated in the Superintendent’s Opening of Schools; played The National Anthem at the Miami Heat MLK Game; performed at the Miami Beach Bandshell andhavebeen featured on NBC 6. The donations, which are in the thousands, for the purchase of new equipment and the repair of existing instruments, have also assisted our students in their goal toward becoming accomplished musicians.
The Young Musicians Unite program is without parallel. It is one of the programs afforded to the students of Miami Dade County which proves how the sincere dedication of a few and the recognition of the arts as a valuable part of every curriculum can and will positively impact the masses.
Community Leaders
Rebecca Fishman Lipsey
President/CEO
The Miami Foundation
Young Musician’s Unite has the secret sauce. They know how to work in partnership with schools to bring music alive for all kids. Their students bring the house down, from rock bands to jazz ensembles, and their class time is focused, fun and well run. I want to go back in time and bring this program to my own school.
Daniel R. Lewis
Founder & Chairman
The Lewis Prize for Music
Young Musicians Unite has been a leader in Miami-Dade County to collaboratively work with school principals to reestablish music programs in schools, during the school day where it belongs.
Chiho Feindler
Senior Director Of Programs and Policy
Save The Music Foundation
The great work that YMU is doing at each school is transforming not only the music programs but the entire school community. Their program is a great testimony to the power of music.
Alumni Spotlight
Cristian Acevedo
My musical journey began at the age of 11 when I stumbled upon an old drum set left behind in the garage of my childhood home. I arranged the drums and began to learn about the different sounds I could create. As I began to play, I felt the pull towards the drums as if they might one day allow me to fully express myself without restriction or fear. My passion for the drums grew into a hunger to know more. Over the years I fully immersed myself in the life of a musician learning to play music of various genres and styles with the help of my teachers and mentors.
Three years ago, I was invited to join one of YMU’s advanced jazz combos, directed by Zach Larmer. Zach has always been an inspirational mentor in my musical career. His vision, guidance and trust in my abilities have allowed me to flourish as a musician and to build the beginnings of my career. Sammy Gonzalez also gave me the opportunity to play with the Miami Beach Senior High Rock Ensemble, another YMU program. These ensembles came with extensive live performance opportunities that have helped prepare me for my life as a professional musician.
I was also given the opportunity to intern for YMU for one year where I worked to coordinate events and performances for YMU ensembles. This experience provided me with a behind-the-scenes look into the music business and, while challenging, prepared me for a future of booking my own gigs. This invaluable experience I received, such as establishing relationships with local music venues and other non-profit groups, is something I take with me as I embark on my journey as a professional musician.
Because of the guidance I received, I am now a Music Education major at Miami Dade College and I have been awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music where I plan to continue my studies. Currently, I am a member of the top jazz band at Miami Dade College, and I received an Honors level jury score. I regularly perform in the Faculty Concerts alongside my professors. I also now co-teach the YMU Jazz Collective alongside my mentor, Zach Larmer.
YMU has been a channel through which I have had the chance to engage with so many talented musicians. I’m grateful that they’ve always provided me with the tools and assistance needed to expand on my knowledge of music. I am now a gigging drummer, college student, studio musician, touring drummer and a proud YMU mentor. I look forward to doing everything I can to educate and expand upon the talents of other Young Musicians.