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(Photo credit: Osmany Torres)
Fresh off the success of the fourth annual Miami Gardens Youth Music Festival, Arts Access Miami made history on Saturday, Mar. 15, launching the first-ever South Dade Youth Music Festival. The event brought an unforgettable celebration of music, art, and community to Losner Park in Homestead.
The trailblazing event in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of School Board member Luisa Santos (District 9) and her popular “A Night in D9!” Awards Ceremony brought a platform for young students to shine while fostering cultural appreciation. The event showcased the talents of over 1,000 youth musicians, drawing families, educators, government and city officials, and an array of local and national nonprofits together — to shine a light on South Dade’s educational landscape.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, District 8, kicked off the festival with the inspiring message.
“The South Dade Youth Music Festival is a powerful reminder of how art and music can bring our community together, inspire creativity, and give young voices a platform to shine,” Cohen Higgins said. “The youth of Miami is brimming with talent, passion, and endless potential, and events like this help nurture their growth while celebrating our city’s rich cultural diversity.
“In District 8 and throughout Miami, the arts are a vital part of our community’s heartbeat — we need this connection, opportunity, and hope. I am deeply committed to supporting free music education and artistic programs for all our youth, ensuring every child has access to the tools they need to dream, create, and thrive,” Cohen Higgins concluded.
Among the guests of the festival were Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Homestead Mayor Steven D. Losner, Councilwoman Jenifer N. Bailey, Councilman Larry Roth, Janie Olvera (deputy chief of staff to Miami-Dade Commission vice chair Kionee McGhee), Dr. Jose L. Dotres (superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools), School Board member Mary Blanco, CEOs of music and education nonprofits and other city, government and M-DCPS representatives.
Zach Larmer, COO of Young Musicians Unite, co-organizer of the event, said, “I am so happy to announce that the festival will be returning to South Dade in 2026 and will reinforce the vital role of arts education and social-emotional development. At this first edition we had 3,000 attendees, 1,000 student performers across more than 30 student ensembles representing 16 schools throughout South Dade and more than 100 local volunteers. These are not just numbers, this is what real change looks like.
“Organizations such as Young Musicians Unite, Guitars Over Guns, The Miami Foundation and Miami Music Project played a key role in elevating the festival, offering students mentorship and performance opportunities that go beyond the stage. We’re dedicated to supporting the next wave of musicians and helping young talent grow through the life-changing impact of music education.”
Arts Access Miami’s mission is set to generate significant community and educational impact, creating new possibilities for all these students. Attendees enjoyed a diverse lineup of student ensembles. The event highlighted the importance of music education, artistic expression, and community collaboration in South Dade’s predominantly Latin community.
More than 80 nonprofit organizations joined the festival’s resource fair providing access to information and programs that can help students in their future aspirations.
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