Who we are...

Friends of Young Musicians' Camp, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed to provide formal fundraising for scholarships and financial aid, and to support music education initiatives in South Florida.

Its activities include:

* Coordination of the annual "Scholarship Benefit Concert & Gala"
* Production of the camp program book
* Providing after-concert refreshments
* Airport pickup of out-of-town campers
* Coordinating camp performances for community events
during the year
* Applying for grant funding for scholarships and program support

HOW IT ALL STARTED...

Simon and I started this camp in the summer of 2000. There were 33 campers for that first summer! We had the idea of bringing together some of the most talented musicians in South Florida, who during the year tour, perform or teach - and letting them use their creative talents to inspire and instruct kids who love music. Without the pressure of school - the summertime is the best time to nurture artistic talent. Simon experienced this as a young boy when he received a scholarship to attend the world famous Chataugua Institute in New York State, where he heard jazz pianist George Shearing and other famous musicians. After that camp, he became dedicated to becoming a professional musician. Thus, along with our dream of providing a rich musical environment - the best artist/teachers and the best facilities - what could be better than the University of Miami Frost School of Music ? We also realized that we needed to offer scholarships to talented, but financially needy students. So, now 13 years later, you are helping us realize our dream. Each summer the camp reaches over 350 students with about one fourth of them receiving financial aid. They hear great jazz, classical chamber music, musical theater and more! Our camp alumni are getting accepted into top music colleges (including UM) – AND they are getting scholarships! The camp gives them an experience which I know they will never forget and hopefully - thanks to you - they are further down the road towards realizing their own dreams... Come join us!

Upcoming Events

We invite our Friends to enjoy free concerts this summer given by our own Young Musicians.
Tuesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 18, 2013
6:30 pm Clarke Recital Hall (UM campus)
Advanced Classical Chamber Music

Wed, July 3 and Friday, July 19, 2013
6:30 pm Gusman Concert Hall (UM campus – 1314 Miller Drive)
Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Vocal, Chamber Music, and Musical Theater

Learning from a legend

It's not every day teenagers get to learn from a musical legend. But last Tuesday, a group of young jazz musicians, one of them only 14 years old, not only got coached by renowned jazz flautist Nestor Torres, but they also performed the following night with him in concert. Read the full story