A nonprofit called Young Musicians Unite is providing free music education to roughly 21,000 students across 131 schools in Miami-Dade County, partnering with schools and community organizations to expand classroom access to instrumental instruction.
Good News Network reported that the program collaborates with schools and community partners to offer music classes designed to inspire personal growth, strengthen communities and prepare students as future leaders. Students at schools including Little River K-8 are learning instruments such as trumpet, with one 9-year-old participant telling CBS News Miami that the classes offer opportunities to improve and feature knowledgeable teachers.
The instructor at Little River, Reinaldo Velez, is himself a former Young Musicians Unite student who now leads ensemble classes. He told CBS News Miami that the program builds unity and helps students develop interpersonal skills, including how to maintain instruments and support peers.
YMU CEO and founder Gonzalez Zeira, who grew up as a musician in Miami, told CBS News Miami that music classrooms give students a reason to attend school and a chance to be part of something larger than themselves. Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgens called the program an incredible advocate for connecting children with the arts and their futures.
For more information, visit goodnewsnetwork.org.