A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote music education for underserved youth. In 2023, due to our increased sponsorship and fundraising, Law Rocks was able to offer a new grant at each Law Rocks show: The Music Matters grant. This grant, continuing in 2024, is given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our U.S. tour cities. Omi Crawford, director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Since our 2009 founding, Law Rocks has supported hundreds of incredible nonprofits, with an emphasis on youth music education organizations. The Music Matters grant is a natural evolution of our mission and a chance to formalize our support of amazing music education nonprofits across the country.”
Our 2024 Miami Music Matters Grant Recipient: Young Musicians Unite | Photo courtesy of YMU
We recently checked in with Sammy Gonzalez, CEO/Co-Founder of Young Musicians Unite, who shared a bit about what’s new with the organization since receiving our first Music Matters grant in Miami last year. Funds from the Law Rocks Music Matters grant will help YMU support and expand programming for 8,962 students across 58 schools in the 2024-2025 school year. Gonzalez called the funds “a game-changer for YMU” and specified the grant will be used “to maintain and purchase musical instruments, making sure every student has the right tools to excel.”
Young Musicians Unite CEO/Co-Founder, Sammy Gonzalez with students | Photo courtesy of YMU
1) What new successes or milestones have you achieved since we last spoke?
Since we last chatted, Young Musicians Unite (YMU) has seen some truly exciting growth! For the 2024-2025 school year, we’re now reaching over 8,962 students across 58 schools, which is a huge leap forward for us. We’re especially thrilled to be the only non-profit in Miami-Dade County offering in-school music programs for grades 5-12 entirely free of charge. This means we can provide a continuous music education experience for students, from elementary school through high school, especially in Title I schools. It’s incredible to see how more schools are recognizing the value of music education and partnering with us. This expansion is a testament to the strong relationships we’ve built with school administrators and teachers, allowing us to offer everything from instructor training to instrument maintenance.
2) Can you share an example of how your programs or initiatives have positively impacted the community in the past year?
Over the past year, YMU’s programs have made a significant and lasting impact on the communities we serve, particularly in the most underserved neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County. More than 99% of our students have reported significant improvements in their musical skills, which is fantastic. But the benefits go far beyond just music. For instance, 98% of our students have noticed better relationships with their peers, fostering a more supportive school environment. Additionally, 96% have grown more confident in challenging situations, which speaks to their personal development. We’re also incredibly proud of our students who have received full scholarships to top-tier schools like The Juilliard School and Berklee College of Music. It’s wonderful to see how our programs help open doors and transform lives, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
Photo courtesy of YMU
3) Have any new programs or initiatives been introduced since our last conversation that you are particularly excited about?
One of the biggest highlights is our recent expansion into South Dade and Homestead with 14 new schools. It’s fantastic to be able to bring our music programs to these communities, giving even more students the chance to dive into music education. We’re thrilled about the new opportunities this will create for students in these areas!
Through a community approach we are making sure that students can smoothly transition from elementary to middle and high school music programs. By working closely with school administrators and teachers, we’ve set up strong entry points for music education at the elementary level that flow seamlessly into the middle and high school programs. This is key for keeping students engaged and helping them grow in their musical journey.
Another thing we’re excited about is the growth of our after-school programs. We now offer a range of specialized courses like Jazz Bands, Rock Ensembles, Music Technology, Modern Band, Beginning Band, Strings, and Drumline. These programs give students more advanced training and cater to their diverse musical interests and talents.
Our partnership with the City of Miami Beach has also grown stronger through the STEAM Plus program. As an inaugural partner, YMU has been crucial in helping Miami Beach schools achieve and maintain their STEAM Designation. It’s been amazing to see our involvement in this program double over the past three years.
Lastly, we’re exploring new ways to weave music production and technology into our curriculum. We’re adding training in music production, sound engineering, and digital composition to keep up with the latest trends and prepare our students for exciting careers in the music industry.
Photo courtesy of YMU
4) What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work over the past year?
The most rewarding part of this year has been seeing the incredible transformations in our students’ lives. It’s deeply fulfilling to watch music education spark personal and academic growth, especially for those facing tough socio-economic challenges.
Seeing students gain confidence, not just in their musical abilities but in themselves, is truly special. Many of these students come from backgrounds with limited opportunities, and through our programs, they’re discovering their potential and realizing their value. We’ve seen students who once struggled with self-expression become confident performers who shine both on and off the stage.
It’s also incredibly gratifying to see our students achieve real milestones, like receiving scholarships to prestigious music schools. Knowing we’ve played a part in helping them reach their dreams is a huge reward. Plus, seeing the positive effects of our programs on the broader school community—like improved attendance and a stronger sense of community—is a testament to the power of what we do.
Learn more about Young Musicians Unite.
Read last year’s Nonprofit Spotlight on YMU.
The Third Annual Law Rocks Miami is taking place at Gramps on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
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