First Person
SoBe Music Institute’s Summer Farewell
Organization Finds Hidden Venue in CANDO Arts District

Story and Photos by Ray Breslin

	Amber Keates plays guitar at the SoBe Music Institute recital

On Saturday August 4,  SoBe Music Institute bid farewell to their summer eight week intensive workshop with a wonderful recital and concert held at the 21^st Street Recreation Center.

I’d been to events at the Little Stage Theater and the Carl Fisher Club House before, but never in the Recreation Center. It’s really all part of the same complex. Who knew that there is a 21^st Street Recreation Center on Washington Avenue owned by the City and run by the Parks Department that has an auditorium that can seat over 200 people? I certainly didn’t know that and I’ve been an active community member for almost 10 years.

It is definitely an under-utilized space with a fabulous courtyard centering around a fascinating old Banyan tree connecting right to the north parking lot of the convention center, but parking isn’t actually part of the center.  It may not be ideal for many uses because the floor is not raked and seating is in folding chairs, also not supplied by the recreation center, but the rental price for this space is perfect.  And now that it sits within the CANDO Arts District, many arts organizations should consider this venue for their organizations. The city needs to be more proactive promoting this space to those organizations who want to have their works shown or seen but can’t afford the venues on Lincoln Road and/or other locations in South Florida. The City should also work out seating and parking to make this a viable, useable space. This could be done with very little effort and little expense.  The SoBe Music Institute coordinated this event with the help of the Convention Center staff, so it can be done.

The raised stage, complete with a curtain, was perfect for friends and family to see their beloved children perform what they had leaned over the eight week program. Many of these kids had never picked up an instrument let alone play it before the program.  They not only played for their families but they learned to read the music as well. The school was broken into two age groups, with age 12 being the mid-point. The recital alternated the children and teens to keep a good mix.

	Violinists Libia Brito and Jennifer Hinojosa

The afternoon began with instructor Rebecca Deidrrich’s violin students. Although what they played may seem to be simple pieces, we must remember everything starts with basics. In this case, the basics were “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” It was interesting to hear the different tempos that were played and every parent was certainly proud of their child’s enthusiasm and visible happiness for what they had accomplished.

The second group of students showed off the guitar skills they leaned from instructor Paul Martin. Each of the young students played the selection of their choice. “Twinkle” again was the song of choice, but Jailene Hinojosa played “Happy Birthday” to anyone who might have been celebrating that day. The advanced students played more classical pieces.

The recital continued with teens playing saxophone led by instructor Wim Forstmann. Then there were the piano recitals with the little ones guided by instructor, Ariana Ochoa. The only teen, Danae Hunter, was instructed by Ciro Fodere.  By far the largest number of students took voice lessons. The little kids were instructed by Kathleen Bell and the older ones by Cassandra Claude.

Listening to them made me realize what these eight weeks meant to them and also made me wonder what they might have done had this terrific program not been available to them. It is a scary thought, when there are so many unpleasant things that these kids could have been doing but weren’t. They were singing and their voices were happy and melodious.

In one of the moments when the stage curtain was closed and they were setting up for the next group, Dr. Carson Kievman, executive artistic director, explained to those present how very important it was for them to write, call, or e-mail the mayor, commissioners, and city manager to let them know how important this program was to them this summer and how it affected or influenced their children. The City played a huge part in the success of this program. In fact, without the City of Miami Beach, this would not have happened. It is always important to tell the funding sources that they made a great decision and hope that it continues.

	Student musicians get ready to perform at the SoBe Music Institute recital

Even though I did not have a child in this program, I felt eminently proud that in some small way, I made a difference in these kids’ lives. I hope that anyone who donated time, energy or money to this very worthwhile cause feels as I do. Just seeing the kids beam from ear to ear made it all worthwhile to me.

However, there were further rewards. When the kids were done, there was a short break and then a fantastic concert was played by the Faculty Ensemble with a reception after. It was a great summer. Hopefully, the SoBe Music Institute will become a permanent part of our diverse community and the CANDO Arts District.

If you want to help, contact them at 305-674-9220 or e-mail them at info@sobemusic.org. They will be happy to hear from you. Remember, children are our future and we must nurture them if we want them to become productive and be a creative part of our society.