By Enide Dufresne, Miami Music Project

The students from the Little Haiti area have only been playing together for two months, but their rhythm ensemble or bucket orchestra, as they like to call it, is already producing melodies from some of the most famous pop songs on the radio. They have come together as part of the Miami Music Project Orchestral Academy (MMPOA). When thinking about her new skills as a musician, ten-year-old, Samantha exclaims, “I love the music class very much, it’s very fun! I like the games we play. I would love to play in an orchestra. This is one of my dreams. I hope that it comes true!”

Thanks to the endorsement of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and, the Principal, Dr. Lilliane Delbor, Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary School has been generously hosting MMPOA, making it possible for Little Haiti children to participate in the afterschool program that is soon to trully become a symphonic orchestra! So the school is continuously filled not only with beautiful sounds but also with bright smiles of children who discover that teamwork and discipline make a big difference in their lives, and that playing a viola or cello is really cool!

“We were so excited to see more than 60 children sign-up on our opening day in Little Haiti,” said Anna Pietraszko, Executive Director of Miami Music Project. “We are now even happier to see the tremendous progress made by these children, in such a short time, and the growing number of children who want to participate in our programs.”

Miami Music Project Orchestral Academy, inspired by the El Sistema philosophy, launched just over a year ago with a small group of 20 children. Today the program has grown strong serving close to 300 children, ages 4 to 18, who learn music, free of charge, every week in Little Haiti and Doral.

“Our objective is to give opportunities to all children in Miami, specially those who are passionate about music, to join our programs, play an instrument and participate in an orchestra, regardless of their ability to pay” said John Daly, Board Chairman of Miami Music Project, and added “We are working hard to realize our vision of transforming our communities, schools and families with happy children full of the creativity, discipline, perseverance, and self-esteem needed for the bright future of our city.”

Learn more about what Miami Music Project is doing in Little Haiti and the community through its Orchestral Academy program, join the children as they celebrate their Pass It On! Open Houseevent. Orchestral Academy student performances, open music classes, and family potluck treats will fill the night. Best of all, the students will receive the orchestral instruments of their dreams for the first time! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness their bright smiles.

Tuesday, March 6th, 5pm: Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary, 120 NE 59 St;  786-468-2251; www.miamimusicproject.org