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Poetry combined with hip-hop, classical and pop music has young poets competing for prizes from $100 to $1,000 at this year’s Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion “Piano Slam.” The music-poetry mashup is at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 23. Since its inception in 2007, Piano Slam has been a platform for young poets in Miami-Dade County to merge their creative writing with classical and contemporary music.

For the first time, Piano Slam will have a live judging panel led by presidential poet laureate Richard Blanco and including Haitian American poet Mecca “Grimo” Marcelin, Miami-Dade poet laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier and Miami Book Fair executive director Lissette Mendez. “Poetry and music are kindred spirits, having the two come together will be magical,” says Blanco.

This year’s theme, “Music of My Past … Sounds of the Future,” challenges students to explore their cultural musical heritage while envisioning the future. Part of the program requires students to integrate music and science terms into their poetry writing. “The program inspires confidence and self-expression; it propels students to believe in the power of their opinions and express them in a creative way,” says Cardenas.

In the spirit of live competition shows like America’s Got Talent, finalists in the wildly popular Piano Slam poetry competition will vie slam style for $1,000 prizes on the Arsht stage after beating out hundreds of their middle and high school competitors.

Franz Liszt made piano transcriptions of all nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven. While the first eight are arranged for a single keyboard, Liszt transcribed the final Symphony No. 9 in D minor for two pianos.

Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion, formerly known as the Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation, begins its 2024-2025 season with a forward-looking mission, embracing a broader musical vision. Launching on Sunday, Nov. 24, the organization’s upcoming concerts aim to present classical compositions while reflecting Miami’s diverse cultural landscape, according to Emily Cardenas, Dranoff 2 Piano’s new executive director.

For Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion, two pairs of hands are better than one. Dranoff 2 Piano Fusion, formerly known as Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation, is a time-honored jewel in Miami’s crown of beloved performing arts organizations. It launches its new season Nov. 24, with additional concerts in February, April, and May of next year. Translation: Mark your calendars now, as Dranoff’s lineup is not to be missed, starting with this month’s concert, Back to Beethoven, starring internationally acclaimed Ukrainian classical pianists, Olha Chipak and Oleksiy Kushnir.

Kaaliyah Lollar was an eighth grader at Norland Middle School who had never been in front of a crowd that big when she took to the stage to perform an original poem in front of countless people at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts for the 2023 Piano Slam. “It’s a chance to shine your light,” she said of the competition. “It’s a chance to go out there, be yourself and show them who you are.”