Miami, FL – Miami Music Project, a leader in using music as a vehicle for social change, will be awarded the 2025 Arts and Education Inspiration Award at the upcoming Serving the Arts Awards Ceremony on April 21, 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights innovative and impactful educational arts initiatives that empower children and families.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Arts and Education Inspiration Award for our Pathways Program. This recognition celebrates the incredible journeys of our students, whose dedication and passion inspire us every day. It reaffirms our commitment to ensuring they have the mentorship and resources to reach higher education and beyond, using music as a powerful pathway to opportunity and success.”
Since its founding in 2008, Miami Music Project has provided tuition-free, after-school music education to more than 33,000 students across 60 zip codes in Miami-Dade County. Through its intensive, El Sistema-inspired curriculum, students receive 16 hours of instruction weekly, totaling 576 hours annually, fostering musical excellence, personal development, leadership, and resilience. Today, the organization serves over 860 students across seven program sites, bridging socioeconomic divides and ensuring equitable access to the arts.
In 2024, Miami Music Project expanded its commitment to student success by launching the Pathways: College Mentor Program, designed to maintain the organization’s 100% high school graduation and higher education pursuit rate. Led by President & CEO Anna Klimala, the program pairs students with six dedicated mentors who provide guidance through the complexities of college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and career planning. The program’s success is evident: among ten recent graduates, four secured scholarships, two were accepted into Columbia University—one with a QuestBridge scholarship—and three received full-ride scholarships to Florida International University through the Gala and Stanley Cohen Scholarship.
Miami Music Project’s impact resonates beyond local communities, earning international recognition at the 2024 Music Cities Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Out of 300 candidates from 19 countries, Anna Klimala was honored with the “Best Initiative to Support Diversity and Inclusion in Music” award, reinforcing the organization’s global leadership in leveraging music to drive equity and inclusion.
Serving the Arts 2025 is an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Arts & Business Council of Miami in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs. The event honors outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Miami-Dade’s vibrant cultural landscape. The upcoming 2025 ceremony will be held on April 21, 2025, in the Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Contemplated award categories include: Corporate & Cultural Partners Awards, Michael Spring Leadership Award, Miami-Dade Mayor’s Award, Arts & Education Inspiration Award, Elected Official of the Year Award, Unsung Hero Award Arts & Environment Award, among others.
For 40 years, the Arts & Business Council of Miami has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural ecosystem, connecting the business and arts communities to drive advocacy, professional development, and strategic partnerships that ensure Miami’s creative industries continue to thrive.
Miami Music Project is a leading nonprofit using music as a tool for social change, empowering youth from underserved communities through free, high-quality music education. Students train and perform in children’s orchestras, gaining access to ensemble-based learning, mentorship, and leadership development. Inspired by El Sistema, the program provides over 16 hours of weekly after-school instruction, fostering personal and academic success.
Since 2008, Miami Music Project has grown to seven chapters, impacting over 33,000 students through its transformative programming. Its Pathways Program offers extensive college preparation, including guidance on applications, essay writing support, and assistance with financial aid and scholarships, ensuring students can access higher education in music or any path they wish to pursue.
A recognized national model, Miami Music Project collaborates with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, The Children’s Trust, Florida International University, and a broad network of local and national partners in the arts, education, and social services. It has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Music Cities Award for Diversity & Inclusion in Music.
Through the transformative power of orchestral music, Miami Music Project nurtures young musicians while shaping future leaders and engaged citizens, proving that music can create lasting social impact.
