After-School Programs
After-school programs are focused on vocational experiences for our students to prepare them for employment or college scholarship eligibility. Offerings include Rock and Jazz Performance, Songwriting and Beat Making, Audio Recording and Mixing, Stage Production, and Vocational Internships. Our performing ensembles participate in over 100 youth showcases a year.
Jazz & Rock After-School Hubs
Our after-school programs focus on nurturing musical talent, fostering creativity, and helping students achieve their full potential as jazz or rock performers! These classes are specialized for students who want to keep learning beyond the classroom and include:
Expert instruction led by experienced musicians who are masters in their genres.
Performance opportunities both within our school community and in public venues helping students grow as performers and build personal confidence.
Collaboration with fellow musicians, building a strong network of like-minded peers who share your passion.
Exploration of styles in genres such as classic jazz and modern rock ensuring a well-rounded musical education.
Check any of the three locations we have available and join now!
Young Men's Preparatory Academy (Jazz, Rock, & Theory)
Dr. Henry Mack/West Little River K-8 (Marching Band)
Carol City Middle School (Jazz Performance)
Miami Beach Feinberg Fisher Middle (Rock Performance)
YMU’s after-school performing ensemble programs are open to the community and focus on students who want to study music on a deeper level. Students can participate in Rock Ensembles, Jazz Combos or Stage Production teams. Classes are kept small, ranging from 5 to 12 students, to ensure a more intimate mentor-to-student experience.
Our performing ensembles typically participate in over 150 shows during our annual concert season.
Watch some of our favorite videos now!
The Rock Ensemble, founded by the late Doug Burris in 1972, is the first school-based ensemble of its kind in our nation's history. The student-led musical group is a culmination of musicians, stage crew, and a sound engineering team. The Rock Ensemble comes together to play classic and modern rock and lends vocational experience to its students through engaging them in professional environments at a young age.
This ensemble features students from a variety of backgrounds, each of whom is the top jazz player on their instrument from 6 different schools across Miami. These students form a tight-knit group that stays together until they graduate, challenging each other through advanced jazz repertoire and a rigorous performance schedule. Repertoire ranges from grooving modern jazz to classic jazz. They have performed in numerous prestigious venues such as the Adrienne Arsht Center and Miami Beach Bandshell.
Lobac
This medium-size jazz ensemble is comprised of Wynwood's top student jazz musicians with a focus on Haitian-based repertoire. This group has performed in numerous prestigious venues such as The New World Symphony Hall and American Arlines Arenas.
YMU Studio is a professional-level multimedia studio that provides young creatives in our community with free resources and opportunities to take their education and careers to the next level. Our studio offers audio recording, music video and podcast production, music distribution, and photography.
Our studio also provides songwriting and beat making classes for all students. Students learn how to use digital tools to create their own original songs and beats!
Internships
YMU’s internship program is an opportunity for students to gain valuable real world experience, knowledge, and skills in diverse fields such as Video Production, Photography, Audio Recording, Marketing, Operations, and Program Curriculum. Through these internships, YMU aims to provide life-long knowledge and learning between students, professionals, and the community to ensure our youth are prepared for the future work force and have a solid understanding of the music (media arts) industry.