13.6.102.023 Application
Greater Miami Youth Symphony of Dade County, Florida, Inc.

Proposal Information

Item	Response
Application #	13.6.102.023
Program	General Program Support
Proposal Type	Discipline-Based
Funding Category	Level 2
Discipline	Music
Applicant is requesting REDI waiver	N/A
Residency Contact Hours	N/A
Proposal Synopsis	Grant funds will be used to support the 2012-13 concert season and educational programs of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. The GMYS Season includes all rehearsals, performances, classes, and special events that are scheduled for August-July, including the comprehensive GMYS Summer Camp. Students rehearse in weekly ensembles, weekly instrumental classes, sectionals, chamber groups, and orchestra. Participating students perform gala concerts and outreach presentations throughout Dade County.

Applicant Information

Item	Response
Corporate Name	Greater Miami Youth Symphony of Dade County, Florida, Inc.
DBA Name	N/A
Federal Employer ID	59-1743582
Principal Address	5275 Sunset Drive Miami, FL 33143-5914
County	Miami-Dade
Applicant Email Address	info@gmys.org
Grant Contact	Melissa Lesniak, Executive Director
Authorized Official	Melissa Lesniak, Executive Director
Website	www.gmys.org

Mission Statement

1) to instill life long values of discipline, teamwork, responsibility, respect, and cultural appreciation in young musicians 2) to enrich the cultural foundation of our community by reaching out to and recruiting young musicians from different cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds 3) to train young people through teaching, rehearsals, and performances to function together as first rate orchestras

Proposal Description

Goals
1. To enrich the cultural foundation of Miami-Dade by increasing access to orchestral instrument training and outreach performances for local youth
2. Promote understanding, appreciation, and teamwork through collaboration concerts and programs with other South Florida performance-based organizations
3. Increase outreach to underserved youth through access to mentoring programs, masterclasses, and small group instruction
4. Provide quality employment to local musicians and music educators through our outreach and summer programs
5. Increase volunteerism among our advanced musicians
6. Continue to provide affordable performances to a diverse population

Objectives
1. Add one additional beginning instrumental class to the GMYS preparatory program, for a total of 8 classes
2. Offer outreach concerts and instrument demonstrations throughout Dade County for local youth at youth centers, libraries, parks, and other community venues
3. Continue to offer weekly orchestra/band rehearsals, chamber music coachings, sectionals, and annual summer camp
4. Participate in collaboration concerts with various performing ensembles, schools, and organizations throughout South Florida
5. Increase opportunities for underserved youth by increasing the number of youth in our mentorship program by 10%
6. Continue to offer meaningful employment in our outreach instrument classes and summer camp to local musicians and music educators
7. Increase the number of GMYS advanced musicians who volunteer as assistants in our beginning classes by 10%
8. Provide concert opportunities for elderly and youth in our community through free and reduced ticket prices

The activities of the GMYS 2012-13 season are as follows:
1) Preparatory Strings- (September-June) This program will offer free beginning string (violin, viola, cello, bass) instruction along with free instruments at five locations in Miami-Dade County
2) Preparatory Band- (September-June) This program will offer free beginning band (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone) instrument instruction at two sites in Miami Dade. Students with some previous wind instrument instruction will also have the opportunity to receive instruction on double reed instruments and French horn.
*GMYS will also offer “Summer Boosters” (July- August) at two of the preparatory class locations so that students can elect to continue their instrumental studies in the summer months in addition to the three week GMYS beginners camp
3) GMYS Performing Ensembles- (September-May) GMYS five performing ensembles currently are Young Mozarts (students with 1 or 2 years instrumental experience, no large ensemble experience), String Orchestra (1 or 2 years orchestral experience), Concert Orchestra (intermediate orchestra), Concert/Jazz Band (intermediate winds), and Symphony Orchestra (advanced orchestra). These ensembles meet every Sunday during the school year to rehearse at Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus and UM Frost School of Music. Strings, Concert Orchestra, and Concert/Jazz Band meet for 2 hours, Young Mozarts meets for 1 ½ hours, and Symphony meets for 3 hours. Approximately 45-50% of participating students will be given financial need scholarships.
4) GMYS also offers chamber music groups (October-May) for the String, Concert, and Symphony Orchestra students. These groups meet before and after the orchestra rehearsals, and include strings and wind/brass students.
5) In addition to the affordable and accessible educational programs described above, GMYS reaches out to the community through instrument demonstrations, outreach concerts, and gala season concerts. The outreach activities for the 2012-13 season will include:

• 15-20 instrument demonstration and outreach concerts will take place at youth centers, community centers, parks, and libraries throughout the school year. GMYS students will perform for community youth and will demonstrate the different orchestral instruments. These events will be free of charge and will reach the many diverse neighborhoods and communities in Miami-Dade County.

• Two Gala Concerts will be held, one in December and one in May. Students from all levels of GMYS will perform for family, friends, and the community at large. GMYS Concerto Competition winners will perform with the Concert and Symphony Orchestras. Symphony Orchestra will perform a work commissioned through the New Music Miami Festival.

• GMYS will continue to participate in collaboration concerts with other community organizations such as the FIU Orchestra and Alhambra Orchestra. The collaboration concerts with Alhambra Orchestra and FIU will take place in the fall. The Alhambra collaboration concert will be a free family Halloween Concert at the Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center sponsored by The Childrens Trust.

GMYS Summer Camp
6) In addition to the school-year programming, GMYS will continue its very successful summer music program. The GMYS Summer Camp serves over 300 students. The camp curriculum provides a 3 session camp (beginners, intermediate, advanced). For the 2012 summer camp, GMYS will again offer a three week beginners camp and three week advanced camp. Specific funding has been received for 2012 for the intermediate camp, which requires a six week session. At each session, students work on developing their instrumental skills and overall musicianship through small and large ensembles, instrumental technique classes, and an array of fun and diverse electives.
7) GMYS students will continue to participate in masterclasses throughout the year with Deering Estate Chamber Ensemble and New World Symphony.
8) GMYS, Arts for Learning, and UM Frost School of Music will provide mentoring to selected underserved youth October-May. GMYS students will be paired with a UM music student for weekly coachings and instruction.
9) GMYS will offer more volunteer opportunities to advanced GMYS musicians to mentor and assist young musicians in our beginning classes during the school year and the beginners summer camp.
10) GMYS will participate in free and reduced ticket opportunities for students and seniors.

Culture Builds Florida's Future

1. Strengthening the Economy

   GMYS strengthens the economy through the continued employment and hiring of musicians and music educators, as well as through the purchase of instruments and music supplies such as methods books, orchestral music, and music stands. Over the last several years, GMYS has subcontracted over 30 local musicians and music educators to teach in our summer camps, conduct our orchestras and bands, teach our beginning instrument classes, and coach our chamber groups and sectional rehearsals. In addition, GMYS hires college students to assist with administrative duties throughout the school year and summer camp programs, and to act as “helpers” in the GMYS ensemble rehearsals during the school year and summer camp. College “helpers” also assist with lunch supervision, and before/after care during the summer camp. This supplementary income earned by summer camp and school-year program teachers, instructors, conductors, coaches, helpers, and assistants has come to play a vital role for many of these individual’s yearly income. The summer camp, specifically, has assisted local school music teachers and local musicians during lower earning months for these constituents. Through GMYS, many college students have been able to acquire meaningful employment while learning professional administrative and artistic skills that they can apply towards future job applications and opportunities.

   Besides artistic and administrative employment, GMYS also purchases substantial numbers of musical instruments, supplies, and music through local music stores that are dependent on regular large costumers such as GMYS. GMYS is currently one of the top costumers for at least two music stores in Miami-Dade County.

   GMYS also contributes to the economy indirectly by producing many young musicians. Students that began in our beginning classes over the past several years, have now begun soliciting private instructors in the community, purchasing their own instrument, as well as sheet music and music method books.

2. Learning and Wellness

   GMYS impacts learning and wellness in the Miami-Dade community through its beginning instrument classes, orchestra and band ensembles, chamber groups, masterclasses, outreach concerts, and gala performances. GMYS has created high quality and affordable programs and activities for Miami-Dade youth in order to expand the opportunities of classical music-making to many diverse communities. GMYS promotes life-long learning to local youth by offering free beginning instrumental education to all interested youth. In our beginning classes, students are introduced to musical instruments that they can practice and perform on for their entire life. Our organization offers a four level orchestra program that the beginner classes then feed in to. Therefore, a young elementary student can start an orchestral instrument in our beginning classes, and then progress through our orchestra program as they develop and improve their musical and instrumental skills. Learning is promoted at all skill levels and ages, and opportunities for advancement and new challenges are available in our multi-level program. Students also have more instrument-specific learning opportunities in our small chamber groups, as well as sectional coachings and masterclasses.
   In addition to our school-year programs, students also have learning opportunities in the summer through our comprehensive summer camp. Our summer camp is a vital force for local young musicians as it is the only music education resource many of these students have in the summer months. Numerous public school music teachers have written us expressing their thanks for the improvement their students made over the summer months in our camp. Due to our summer program, local youth were able to hone their skills as well as prepare for important auditions such as the all-state and honors orchestras and bands. Through participation in the summer and school year programs, local youth are able to spend their summer months and after-school and weekend time in a positive and constructive environment.

3. Building Leadership

   GMYS programs develop leadership through mentoring programs and volunteer opportunities, as well as opportunities to perform in chamber ensembles and lead orchestral instrument sections. GMYS high school students volunteer each week at our beginning classes. These advanced music students work with young students in our beginning classes under the supervision of our master teachers and assist students that are either struggling or need a little extra challenge. Volunteers reinforce the group class lessons regarding right and left hand technique, holding position, and note-reading. Participating GMYS advanced students as well as local college students and alumni are also able to work during the GMYS camps, which develops leadership skills through working with small groups of students in chamber ensembles, as well as assisting within large ensemble rehearsals, instrumental classes, and electives. Summer Camp college helpers also develop leadership skills by working directly with youth as supervisors during before/after care and lunchtime. GMYS also builds leadership in college students through its mentoring program in collaboration with Arts for Learning and UM Frost School of Music. Select college students meet weekly with youth symphony students to work on instrumental skills as well as positive life-choices.
   Students also gain leadership experience through participation in chamber ensembles. In chamber groups, students must carry their part on their own while also working together with the other musicians. In chamber music coachings, students are taught musical independence and are also given instruction on how to work in a small group rehearsal by accepting critiques from others while also offering feedback to fellow musicians. Section leaders in the orchestras also learn leadership skills in rehearsals and sectional coachings by developing skills such as cueing, giving directions to the section, and following the conductor.

4. Design and Development

   No answer provided.

Proposal Estimates

Estimated Number of	Response	Instructions to the Applicant
school based youth benefiting	0	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in organized school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
non-school based youth benefiting	1,500	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in non-school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
elders benefiting	750	Enter the number of individuals over the age of 65 that are expected to benefit from the proposal activities. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
artists participating	60	Enter the estimated number of professional artists that will be directly involved in providing artistic services specifically identified with the proposal. Include living artists whose work is represented in an exhibition regardless of whether the work was provided by the artist or by an institution. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
individuals benefiting	9,500	Give the total number of individuals that are expected to be involved in proposal activities as artists, non-artists, participants, or audience members. This number should include the values listed for youth, elders and artists.
proposal events	25	How many different events will be produced or presented within the grant period as a part of this proposal? Be sure to list different events, not performances. For example, a musical performed 10 times is only one event, but a musical performed 10 times and workshop done once are two events.
opportunities for public participation	40	Each event will have one or more opportunities for public participation. For example a musical performed 10 times is one event with 10 opportunities for public participation.

Project/Program Location

• Miami-Dade

Proposal Impact

GMYS positively impacts the local economy through several avenues. First, GMYS is able to provide economic support to parents by offering free beginning instrument classes as well as financial need scholarships to young musicians. GMYS currently has over 300 students enrolled in beginner classes and approximately 45% of our orchestra and band students have financial need scholarships in order to participate in GMYS. Free beginning classes and scholarships are funded through grants as well as private donations. These funds are pumped back in to our local economy through the hiring of local music educators and performers, purchasing of instruments and materials, space rental, and a variety of other costs associated with our programs. GMYS currently employs two full-time employees, and over 30 musicians that provide musical instruction during our school-year programs and summer camp. Professional musicians and music educators conduct large ensembles, coach chamber groups, coach instrumental sectionals, teach beginning instrument classes, and instruct a myriad of summer camp classes and groups. GMYS provides vital income to these professionals, especially in the slow summer months.

In addition to the hiring of local music professionals, GMYS is also one of the top customers for local music stores. GMYS purchases musical instruments for beginning classes as well as music method books, music stands, and other accessories all through local small business music stores. Additional revenue is brought to these stores indirectly as many parents also use these companies when making purchases for their children. GMYS students and families also pump money in to the local economy by paying for private lessons from local instrumental specialists. GMYS also supports the local economy through the rental of rehearsal and performance space at many local venues found in concert halls, universities, colleges, community centers, parks, and schools.

All of the programs and events associated with this GPS are educational and outreach based.
1. The beginning instrument classes will introduce the art and fun of orchestral music-making to over 300 students each year.
2. Four orchestras and concert/jazz band will meet each Sunday to train students in ensemble playing and performance.
3. Chamber Music Division- Over 40 students from the GMYS orchestras will participate in the chamber music program, which trains students in small ensemble performance skills and practice.
4. Mentor Program- the mentor program will promote mentoring relationships between young youth orchestra students and university students. This program will strengthen the GMYS program by providing one-on-one tutoring to underserved students in the youth orchestra. In addition, GMYS advanced student musicians will be encouraged to develop mentor relationships with beginning class students in order to provide them with additional music instruction as well as positive role models.
5. Masterclasses- High quality guest artists and artists-in-residence will work with GMYS students, honing and polishing their musical, instrumental, and performance skills.
6. Summer Camp- the summer camp brings extremely affordable summer music training to over 300 students in Dade County, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in an intensive summer camp. The summer camp also provides a wonderful opportunity for over 30 Florida resident music teachers and performers to work for most of the summer, as the three sessions encompass most of the summer holiday.
7. Outreach Concerts and Gala Concerts- GMYS concert events strive to bring new audience members to classical music in South Florida. Many diverse neighborhoods are targeted for the outreach concerts where youth have the opportunity to try different instruments, and ask questions of the performers.
8. Collaboration concerts- By participating in collaboration concerts, GMYS students will learn from and with other youth and community members from different socio-economic backgrounds and ages.

Operating Budget

	Operating Expenses	Completed Fiscal Year ending 9/30/10
1.	Personnel: Administrative	91,690
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	279,819
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	22,739
6.	Space Rental, Rent or Mortgage	36,263
7.	Travel	5,675
8.	Marketing	6,815
9.	Remaining Operating Expenses	74,909
A.	Total Cash Expenses	$517,910
B.	In-kind Contributions	$59,156
C.	Total Operating Expenses	$577,066
	Operating Income	Completed Fiscal Year ending 9/30/10
10.	Revenue: Admissions	21,095
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services
12.	Revenue: Other	131,143
13.	Private Support: Corporate
14.	Private Support: Foundation	3,000
15.	Private Support: Other	31,296
16.	Government Support: Federal
17.	Government Support: State/Regional	603
18.	Government Support: Local/County	91,077
19.	Applicant Cash	254,190
D.	Total Cash Income	$532,404
B.	In-kind Contributions	$59,156
E.	Total Operating Income	$591,560

Additional Operating Budget Information

No answer provided.

Proposal Budget: Summary

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	15,000	105,000	10,000	$130,000
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	35,000	245,000	15,000	$295,000
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	0	5,000	0	$5,000
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	0	2,750	5,000	$7,750
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	7,000	0	$7,000
6.	Space Rental	0	21,000	70,000	$91,000
7.	Travel	0	0	0	$0
8.	Marketing	0	3,000	0	$3,000
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	50,000	0	$50,000
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	50,000	438,750	100,000	$588,750
	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		18,000		18,000
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		65,500		65,500
12.	Revenue: Other		0		$0
13.	Private Support: Corporate		3,000		3,000
14.	Private Support: Foundation		2,000		2,000
15.	Private Support: Other		20,000		20,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		15,000		15,000
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		315,250		315,250
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	50,000	438,750	100,000	$588,750

Proposal Budget: Detail

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-Kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	15,000	105,000	10,000	$130,000
1.1. Executive Director		5,000	55,000	0	60,000
1.2. Executive Assistant		5,000	30,000	0	35,000
1.3. Administrative Assistants (2)		5,000	20,000	10,000	35,000
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	35,000	245,000	15,000	$295,000
2.1. Conductors		12,500	25,000	0	37,500
2.2. Coaches		7,500	20,000	5,000	32,500
2.3. Beginning Class Instructors		10,000	55,000	0	65,000
2.4. Summer Camp Instructors		5,000	145,000	10,000	160,000
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	0	5,000	0	$5,000
3.1. Technical/Custodial/Production		0	5,000	0	5,000
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	0	2,750	5,000	$7,750
4.1. Guest Artists		0	2,750	5,000	7,750
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	7,000	0	$7,000
5.1. Audit/Accounting		0	7,000	0	7,000
6.	Space Rental	0	21,000	70,000	$91,000
6.1. Concert/Rehearsal/Camp Space		0	21,000	70,000	91,000
7.	Travel	0	0	0	$0
8.	Marketing	0	3,000	0	$3,000
8.1. Print/Electronic/Radio		0	3,000	0	3,000
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	50,000	0	$50,000
9.1. Music Purchase and Supplies		0	15,000	0	15,000
9.2. Beginner Instruments		0	20,000	0	20,000
9.3. Printing		0	10,000	0	10,000
9.4. Insurance		0	5,000	0	5,000
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	50,000	438,750	100,000	$588,750

	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		18,000		$18,000
10-1 Admissions			18,000		18,000
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		65,500		$65,500
11-1 Tuition			65,500		65,500
12.	Revenue: Other		0		$0
13.	Private Support: Corporate		3,000		$3,000
13-1 Bank Atlantic			3,000		3,000
14.	Private Support: Foundation		2,000		$2,000
14-1 ACMP Foundation			2,000		2,000
15.	Private Support: Other		20,000		$20,000
15-1 Private Donations			20,000		20,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		15,000		$15,000
16-1 NEA			15,000		15,000
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		315,250		$315,250
18-1 Youth Arts Miami			65,250		65,250
18-2 SASC			21,000		21,000
18-3 Miami Beach			10,000		10,000
18-4 Coral Gables			3,000		3,000
18-5 The Childrens Trust			216,000		216,000
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	50,000	438,750	100,000	$588,750

Additional Proposal Budget Information

No answer provided.

Fiscal Condition and Sustainability

Fiscal Stability

a) GMYS has no debt to date.
b) There are no special fiscal circumstances at this time, although current economic conditions do threaten local government granting sources.
c) GMYS has saved a reasonable amount of earned revenue over the last six seasons for times when there may be a funding shortage. In addition, GMYS staff, board, and members are focusing this year on building more private and individual support.
d) GMYS receives general program support yearly from the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Youth Arts Miami grants program for general operating support, as well as the county summer camp grant (SASC). GMYS has also been successful in securing two grants from The Children’s Trust. GMYS has secured funds from foundations such as the ACMP Foundation, as well as local organizations such as the Symphonettes and Citizens Interested in the Arts. GMYS continues to apply to all these funding sources yearly, and also continues to solicit corporate and private donations each year for its many projects. GMYS will continue to apply to all these sources for the upcoming 2012-13 Season.

Sustainability

Due to current economic conditions, GMYS is concentrating on limited growth and sustaining its many current and worthy programs. GMYS staff applies for all available funding resources each year in order to sustain these high quality programs, and has been successful in being funded each year by many of the same funders through demonstration of the quality of our programming and our fiscal responsibility. In addition, GMYS is cultivating board and member committees that are seeking private donations in order to provide long-term fiscal security to our multi-tiered orchestra program, our many outreach classes, and our concerts and outreach presentations. GMYS Board and Staff are also attending the DeVos Capacity Building Seminars offered by the Kennedy Center in order to strengthen our Board support and fundraising.

Evaluation Plan

Student and parent satisfaction surveys will be distributed in order to evaluate the success of outreach classes and season programming. Surveys will be reviewed by staff to determine what, if any, changes need to be made to programming.
2. A pre and post playing test will be administered by instructors for each student at the beginning and end of the school year and camp sessions. Student improvement in instrumental and musical skills will be assessed. The GMYS Playing Assessment was developed in 2007 at an NEA workshop, and is modeled after standard rubrics and assessment tools found in today's music method books.
3. Audience interviews will be conducted at outreach concerts as well as collaboration concerts and will be used to obtain feedback from the public at-large. Specific questions will pertain to the quality of programming, interest in future presentations, as well as contact information for our marketing database. Information on how concert attendees learned about the presentation will also be collected in order to improve and duplicate successful marketing strategies.

Data will be collected and recorded by the GMYS Executive Assistant and will be analyzed by the Executive Director. Student playing exams will be used to determine areas and objectives in instruction that need to be strengthened. Surveys and interviews will be used to gather student, parent, and audience attitudes and feelings regarding program quality and effectiveness. Responses will be used to determine areas that require improvement in our programming and areas that are successful and should be enhanced and duplicated.

Applicant Accessibility

Question	Response
Does the applicant have policies and procedures (including a complaint process) that address non-discrimination on the basis of disability?	Yes
Does the applicant have a staff person that is responsible for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statutes 553?	Yes (Melissa Lesniak)
Has the applicant completed the Section 504 Self Evaluation Workbook from the National Endowment for the Arts (linked) in the last 5 years?	Yes

Accessibility

Outreach concerts are performed in many underserved communities such as Little Haiti, Homestead, North Miami Beach, and south-west Miami Dade. Community venues such as libraries, parks, and community centers are used for free beginning instrument classes, and instrument demonstration concerts. Classes for beginning music students are offered free of charge, and partial and full tuition scholarships are given for students in the four performing orchestras, band, and summer camp in order to ensure that no student is turned away for financial reasons. GMYS also hires a certified music teacher with training and experience in working with students with disabilities for the summer camp who supervises and provides an inclusive curriculum for students with disabilities so that they can participate fully in the summer camp experience. GMYS also offers a mentoring program with Arts for Learning and the UM Frost School of Music for students who can not afford private instruction and who will benefit greatly from individualized instruction. Masterclasses and workshops with Deering Estate and New World Symphony artists are now also taking place in order to reach more students that need one-on-one instruction. GMYS performance events and functions are held at community and university venues that have been approved for being accessible for those with disabilities, so that our community performances can truly be for the whole community. GMYS offers several free performances each year so that community members can enjoy classical music, no matter their financial standing.

1. 501c3
2. DVD- December 2010 Concerts
3. Letter from Executive Director
4. May 2011 Miami Herald Article
5. Support Letters
6. Artistic Plan
7. Board List
8. In-Kind Detail
9. May 2011 Concert Program