Image of students playing various instruments

Louis Sylvestre (left) and other musicians from Miami Music Project

Courtesy of Miami Music Project (Louis Sylvestre, drummer, cellist, trombonist, orchestra); Shutterstock.com (all other images)

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Music Matters

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

May 12, 2025
By Cailin Loesch

As You Read, Think About: What are some benefits of playing an instrument?

Louis Sylvestre has a big goal: to become the best violin player ever. The fourth-grader is working hard to make his dream come true. He spends about two hours a day practicing the violin. He’s also the concertmaster, or lead violinist, in an orchestra with other kids.

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.

But the music lessons are more than just a fun activity. The program also helps students 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 a big goal. He wants to become the best violin player ever. The fourth-grader is working hard to make his dream come true. He practices the violin for about two hours a day. He’s also in an orchestra with other kids. He’s the concertmaster, or lead violinist.

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 more than 800 students. The kids are in second grade through high school. They come from about 40 schools across Miami, Florida.

But the music lessons are more than just a fun activity. They also help students 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.”

The Magic of Music
Watch a video to find out how music has changed over the years.

Listen and Learn

Research has shown that music can benefit people in many ways. For example, a 2021 study from the University of Zurich in Switzerland found that regularly playing an instrument over time can boost brainpower. Other studies have shown that music lessons can improve attention spans, listening skills, and much more (see “Full Brain Workout”).

“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. All of them went on to college. 

Music can benefit people in many ways. For example, regularly playing an instrument over time can boost brainpower. That’s according to a 2021 study from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Other studies have shown other positive effects. Music lessons can improve attention spans, listening skills, and more (see “Full Brain Workout”).

“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.”

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

Courtesy of Miami Music Project

A Miami Music Project orchestra

The Power of Music

Miami Music Project has also found that playing an instrument helps build important life skills. For example, at the start of the last school year, fewer than half the students in the program reported that they could manage their emotions well. By the end of the year, that number had jumped to 95 percent.

For Louis, the program has also made it easier to adjust to life in a new country. He moved to the U.S. from Haiti three years ago. He says the support of leaders at Miami Music Project helped him learn English. The program also offered Louis a new community.

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

According to Miami Music Project, playing an instrument also helps build important life skills. Take this example from the last school year. At the start of the year, fewer than half the students in the program said that they could deal with their emotions well. By the end of the year, that number was up to 95 percent.

For Louis, the program has also made it easier to adjust to life in a new country. He moved to the U.S. three years ago. He came from Haiti. Louis says the support of Miami Music Project’s leaders helped him learn English. The program also gave him 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 an instrument. Many schools in the U.S. don’t offer music classes. Private lessons and instruments can cost a lot of money. For many kids in southeastern Florida, Miami Music Project is their only chance to learn to play music.

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

That’s why Miami Music Project works to make playing music accessible to as many kids as possible. The program organizes more than 30 concerts each year. Then the orchestras play together in a final show at the end of the season. Louis says 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,” he says.

Unfortunately, not every child gets the chance to take music lessons. Many U.S. schools don’t offer music classes. Private lessons and instruments can be costly. For many kids in southeastern Florida, Miami Music Project is their only chance to learn to play music.

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

That’s why Miami Music Project makes music education accessible to as many kids as possible. The program hosts more than 30 concerts each year. At the end of the season, the orchestras play together in a final show. Louis says 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,” he says.

Full Brain Workout

Playing an instrument exercises your brain like few other activities can. That’s because playing music involves doing many things at once. For example, you have to read sheet music and listen to your instrument, all while playing the notes with your hands and fingers.

All that activity requires instant communication between different areas of your brain. These areas are connected by a thick band of fibers called the corpus callosum. By studying brain scans, scientists have found that the corpus callosum in musicians is bigger than in other people. This has been shown to improve memory and problem-solving skills.

Playing an instrument exercises your brain like few other activities can. That’s because playing music involves doing many things at once. For example, you have to read sheet music and listen to your instrument, all while playing the notes with your hands and fingers.

All that activity requires instant communication between different areas of your brain. These areas are connected by a thick band of fibers called the corpus callosum. By studying brain scans, scientists have found that the corpus callosum in musicians is bigger than in other people. This has been shown to improve memory and problem-solving skills.

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, “Full Brain Workout”? 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, “Full Brain Workout”? Explain.

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