Gonzalez started the organization humbly, with just a few borrowed instruments, eight students at Young Men's Prep, and an unshakable belief in the potential of music to change lives. "I knew if I could be consistent, meet these students where they were, and earn their trust, something powerful could happen," he recalls. "So I brought in hip-hop tracks they loved and used them to teach melody, rhythm, and harmony. Little by little, they leaned in. They started believing in the music. And more importantly, they started believing in themselves."
When the school's instruments were stolen and its music teacher left, Gonzalez refused to let the program die. "It could have been the end of everything. Instead, I worked closely with Principal Edouard, Virginia Akar, Jeffrey Miller, and Karen Fryd to raise the funds needed to replace the instruments and keep the music going," he says. During that rebuilding period, Gonzalez handpicked a group of dedicated students to form a jazz combo that rehearsed daily. That group of students went on to earn scholarships at some of the nation's top music schools.
What began as a grassroots mission is now Florida's largest in-school music education nonprofit. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, YMU supports over 9,000 students across 61 schools. These programs don't just introduce music — they build infrastructure, bring in certified instructors, offer after-school bands and ensembles, and create lasting systems that can continue to serve students for years to come. YMU's approach includes a culturally responsive curriculum, hands-on instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities that allow students to feel seen and celebrated. "We do not just start programs. We build them to last," Gonzalez says. "I want every student to have that same chance, no matter where they live or what their family can afford."
A Growing Network
The organization's work has been recognized through growing community support. In 2024, YMU's annual gala raised over $1 million — funds that have directly supported the expansion of free, high-quality music education across Miami-Dade. In early 2025, a kickoff event brought in another $100,000 and featured voices like Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee, who shared his own experience of finding a path through education thanks to a committed teacher. Collaborations have become a cornerstone of YMU's model. A standout moment was the organization's global collaboration with Playing For Change, in which YMU students joined over 100 musicians from around the world to record a cover of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." "It reminded our students that their voices matter — not just locally, but globally," says Gonzalez. "Music can truly transcend borders and bridge cultures."Partnerships with the Pérez Family Foundation, Daniel Lewis & Valerie Dillon, the Miami Foundation, and Miami-Dade County's Department of Cultural Affairs have provided multiyear funding and strategic support for YMU. "What makes their support so powerful is not just generosity, it's sustainability," Gonzalez explains. "That kind of trust changes everything."
YMU is one of the original organizations that came together to form Arts Access Miami, a coalition of over 25 arts organizations working together to ensure students across Carol City, Miami Gardens, Homestead, and South Dade have equitable access to arts education. This collaboration now reaches nearly 13,000 students weekly across 55 schools. "It's a living example of what can happen when a community stops working in silos and starts moving as one," Gonzalez says.
Looking ahead, YMU aims to serve over 12,000 students by the 2025-2026 school year. The expansion plan includes moving into the central, eastern, and western regions of Miami-Dade. "Right now, there's a lot of change in the air — new leadership, shifting priorities, and growing needs," Gonzalez says. "But one thing remains constant: our belief that students must always come first."
He emphasizes that music education is more than just an enrichment activity; it's a lifeline. "It's about building confidence. It's about being seen. It's about giving young people a space where they can express themselves, feel safe, and know that their voice matters," he says. "In underserved communities, especially, that space can be life-changing."
Young Musicians Unite is about more than music. It's about creating spaces where young people feel empowered, supported, and seen.
Photo by Ariel Feldman
A Lasting Impact
For many students, the impact of YMU is personal and lasting. Alumnus Levi Gans credits YMU for shaping his leadership path, from forming high school bands to founding Wharton's first music business club at the University of Pennsylvania. "Everything I'm building now — from launching music business at Penn to mentoring others — traces back to what YMU taught me about creating something from the ground up," he says. "Music has the power to transform lives and build communities. That's why I'll be supporting YMU's mission for the rest of my life."Singer-songwriter Lily Kaplan recalls her first YMU performance at age 13 on Lincoln Road, nearly paralyzed with anxiety before stepping onstage. "But once I got on stage, all that fear disappeared. At that moment, I realized that music was at the core of who I am." Now a Billboard-charting artist, she credits YMU for providing both encouragement and opportunity. "Sammy was the first person I ever co-wrote with," she says, underscoring how early mentorship shaped her artistic journey.
YMU's efforts will again take center stage on Saturday, April 26, at its 12th-annual gala at Mana Wynwood. With a Studio 54 theme, this celebration of community and creativity will raise critical funds to support the organization's expanding reach. "Our annual gala has become one of the most inspiring nights in the city — a celebration of creativity, equity, and collective belief in what's possible," Gonzalez says. The event will feature performances from YMU student ensembles and alumni, offering a powerful reminder of the talent and transformation nurtured through the program.
Ultimately, Young Musicians Unite is about more than music. It's about creating spaces where young people feel empowered, supported, and seen. It's about giving students the tools to believe in themselves and the stage to share their stories. In underserved communities, especially where stability and access are often fragile, YMU offers consistency, mentorship, and joy — one instrument, one student, one song at a time.
As Gonzalez puts it: "We do this work not just to teach notes and rhythms, but to help students become who they're meant to be."
Young Musicians Unite 12th-Annual Gala. 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami; ymu.org/gala. Sold out.
