Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Board Member Luisa Santos (District 9) and Arts Access Miami made history on March 15 with the launch of the inaugural South Dade Youth Music Festival, a large-scale celebration of student talent and community pride held at Losner Park in Homestead.
The festival, which coincided with Santos’ annual “A Night in D9” Awards Ceremony, brought together more than 1,000 student musicians from 16 schools and over 30 ensembles. More than 3,000 attendees joined the free event, enjoying live performances, games, food, and a resource fair featuring more than 80 nonprofit organizations.
“This festival is about more than music,” said Santos. “It’s about showing our students they belong, that their voices matter, and that our community is here to lift them up.”
The event drew strong support from civic, state, and education leaders, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Homestead Mayor Steven D. Losner, and M-DCPS Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. Leaders from across South Dade municipalities also participated, underscoring the festival’s significance for cultural and educational development in the region.
Organizations such as Young Musicians Unite, Guitars Over Guns, Miami Music Project, and The Miami Foundation played a key role in supporting student performers, further cementing the event’s commitment to arts access and youth empowerment.
With the success of its first edition, the South Dade Youth Music Festival and “A Night in D9” are poised to become cornerstone celebrations of creative expression and opportunity in Miami-Dade.
