Louis Sylvestre (playing the violin, left) and other students from Miami Music Project

Shutterstock.com (background, musical notes, letters); Courtesy of Miami Music Project (all other images)

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Music Matters

For many kids, learning to play an instrument leads to a lifetime of rewards.

April 28, 2025
By Cailin Loesch

As You Read, Think About: What are some benefits of learning to play an instrument?

Louis Sylvestre has some big dreams. His goal is to become the best violin player ever.

The fourth-grader is working to make his dream come true. Louis spends about two hours a day practicing the violin. The 9-year-old is also the concertmaster, or one of the leaders, of an orchestra.

It’s all made possible by Miami Music Project. The program helps kids discover the power of playing an instrument. Founded in 2008, Miami Music Project offers free music lessons and instruments to more than 800 students in second grade through high school. The kids come from about 40 schools across Miami, Florida, and play in more than 600 local children’s orchestras.

But the music lessons are more than just a fun activity. The program also helps kids learn the value of teamwork and build academic skills.

“I even like it when class is tough,” Louis says. “It teaches us discipline, which helps me in the classroom.”

Louis Sylvestre has big dreams. He wants to become the best violin player ever.

The fourth-grader is working to make his dream come true. Louis practices the violin for about two hours a day. He is also the concertmaster, or one of the leaders, of an orchestra.

It’s all made possible by Miami Music Project. The program helps kids discover the power of playing an instrument. Miami Music Project was founded in 2008. It offers free music lessons and instruments to students. More than 800 students in second grade through high school take part. The kids come from about 40 schools across Miami, Florida. They play in more than 600 local children’s orchestras.

But the music lessons are more than just a fun activity. They also help kids learn about teamwork and build academic skills.

“I even like it when class is tough,” Louis says. “It teaches us discipline, which helps me in the classroom.”

Listen and Learn

Research has shown that music can benefit students in many ways. For example, a 2021 study from the University of Zurich in Switzerland found that playing music over time can boost brainpower (see “Bending the Mind”). Other studies have shown that regular practice can improve memory and problem-solving skills.

“Playing an instrument can completely transform these kids’ lives,” explains Claudia Rojas. She’s the Director of Communications for Miami Music Project. “They become better listeners and learners.”

Rojas has seen firsthand how music education can encourage kids to aim high. Last year, every 12th-grader in Miami Music Project graduated from high school. And 100 percent of them went on to college. 

Music can benefit students in many ways. For example, playing music over time can boost brainpower (see “Bending the Mind”). That’s according to a 2021 study from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Other studies have shown that regular practice can improve memory and problem-solving skills.

“Playing an instrument can completely transform these kids’ lives,” says Claudia Rojas. She’s the Director of Communications for Miami Music Project. “They become better listeners and learners.”

Music education can help kids to aim high. Rojas has seen this herself. Last year, every 12th-grader in Miami Music Project graduated from high school. And 100 percent of them went to college.

Courtesy of Miami Music Project

A Miami Music Project orchestra

The Power of Music

Being a member of a band or an orchestra can have other benefits too. Louis moved to the United States from Haiti three years ago. He says the support of leaders at Miami Music Project helped him learn to speak English. The program also offered Louis a new community.

“It helped me make more friends,” he says.

Playing in a band or an orchestra can have other benefits too. Louis moved to the United States three years ago. He came from Haiti. He says the support of Miami Music Project’s leaders helped him to learn English. The program also gave Louis a new community.

“It helped me make more friends,” he says.

Music for All

Unfortunately, not every child gets the chance to learn to play a musical instrument. Many schools in the U.S. do not offer music classes. Private lessons and instruments can cost a lot of money. For many kids, Miami Music Project is their only chance to learn to play music.

“Music education is expensive, and many families can’t afford it,” Rojas says. “But music opens the door to new opportunities.”

That’s why Miami Music Project works to bring music education to as many children as possible. Kids in the program can perform in more than 30 concerts each year. Then the orchestras all play together in a final show at the end of the season.

For Louis, that’s one of the things he loves most about music—how it helps bring people together.

“When I see my friends perform with all their hearts, it helps me play with mine too,” Louis says.

Sadly, not every child gets the chance to take music lessons. Many U.S. schools do not offer music classes. Private lessons and instruments can be costly. For many kids, Miami Music Project is their only chance to learn to play music.

“Music education is expensive, and many families can’t afford it,” Rojas says. “But music opens the door to new opportunities.”

That’s why Miami Music Project tries to bring music education to as many kids as possible. Kids in the program can perform in more than 30 concerts each year. At the end of the season, the orchestras all play together in a final show. 

For Louis, that’s one of the things he loves most about music—how it brings people together.

“When I see my friends perform with all their hearts, it helps me play with mine too,” Louis says.

Bending the Mind

Our brains grow and change over time. This process is called neuroplasticity (nur-oh-pla-STIH-suh-tee). It allows humans to learn new things our whole lives. How does it work?

The brain contains billions of tiny cells called neurons. When we learn something new, neurons send messages to each other. That creates a pathway. The more these pathways are used, the stronger they become. When you practice a skill over and over, the connections become stronger. That’s why new skills become easier to perform over time.

Our brains grow and change over time. This process is called neuroplasticity (nur-oh-pla-STIH-suh-tee). It allows humans to learn new things our whole lives. How does it work?

The brain contains billions of tiny cells called neurons. When we learn something new, neurons send messages to each other. That creates a pathway. The more these pathways are used, the stronger they become. When you practice a skill over and over, the connections become stronger. That’s why new skills become easier to perform over time.

  1. Why does Louis Sylvestre say that he likes it when music class is tough?
  2. Based on the article, what does it mean to “aim high”? How does the article support the idea that music education can encourage kids to aim high?
  3. What might be another good title for the sidebar, “Bending the Mind”? Explain.
  1. Why does Louis Sylvestre say that he likes it when music class is tough?
  2. Based on the article, what does it mean to “aim high”? How does the article support the idea that music education can encourage kids to aim high?
  3. What might be another good title for the sidebar, “Bending the Mind”? Explain.
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