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Students at Vocal Youth Miami welcomed Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava for a visit at the end of July that began with music and connection and grew into a conversation about so much more— the future of funding for cultural programs in Miami-Dade and the state of Florida.
Mayor Levine Cava is a sponsor of Vocal Youth Miami’s summer camp and she joined students for an afternoon of singing, storytelling, and small-group discussion. She heard a student-composed original song, participated in a collaborative music activity, and engaged directly with high school leaders, board members, and executive artistic director Jamie Sutta.
The dialogue centered around the county’s proposed reductions in cultural grants. This funding sustains programs such as Vocal Youth Miami and many other essential arts organizations.
“We were honored to welcome the mayor and to share how music programs like ours are not just enrichment, they are essential,” Sutta said. “Our students spoke with heart and clarity about what this space means to them. It was a beautiful moment of connection and also an important conversation about the future.”
One of those student leaders, Alana, a rising 10th grader, shared that Vocal Youth Miami has become a lifeline for her. She spoke about navigating the illness of a loved one and said that being here helps her to regulate her emotions and stay grounded. She told the mayor that this community gives her support at a time when she needs it most.
Vocal Youth Miami, based in Palmetto Bay, currently serves more than 400 students across the county, many of whom face barriers to accessing high-quality arts opportunities.
Through after-school choirs, early childhood music programs, and an emerging artist program, the organization uses music as a tool for connection, community, and personal growth.
“County and state funding is vital to what we do,” Sutta said. “It allows us to keep our programs accessible to all young people, regardless of their financial situation. Without this support, many of the students who rely on scholarships or subsidized tuition would not have the chance to experience the confidence, connection, and creative expression that come from being part of Vocal Youth Miami.
“A loss of support would mean difficult choices, such as offering fewer free programs in underserved neighborhoods, reducing class sizes, and potentially turning families away, which is the opposite of what we stand for,” Sutta continued. “Public funding is not just financial help; it is a recognition that the arts are essential to building strong, thriving communities.”
One student, Gitanjali, said, “The skills and confidence I gained from choir prepared me for life and ignited a passion for helping others vocal use Miami showed me the profound impact music can have on mental health and well-being.”
Another student, Mariluz, agreed with that view.
“Vocal youth has shown me how to be a better person to others and to myself.”
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