PIANO SLAM

Imagine blending the power of music, poetry, and performance into an electrifying educational experience—that’s Piano Slam.

Each year, this dynamic initiative lights up a dozen Miami-Dade County Public Schools, inspiring middle and high school students through STEAM-powered learning.

Here’s how it works: Students dive into in-school poetry workshops, groove to live piano duo concerts, explore science field trips, and sharpen their creative writing and spoken word skills—all while connecting with the music they love. The excitement builds as they compete in a district-wide poetry competition, where up to 1,000 student submissions pour in.

But the real magic happens for the finalists when they team up with professional musicians and theater artists for weeks of rehearsals. They then take the spotlight on the Knight Concert Hall stage in a dazzling show co-presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

And the rewards go beyond cash prizes: An FIU study found that Piano Slam boosts confidence, creativity, focus, and even hope for the future.

Past themes like “Hot Music, Hot Miami,” “Rhythms & Writings of Restoration,” and “Music of my past … Sounds of the Future” have sparked incredible performances. In 2026, students will explore “Searching for Home,” inspired by poet laureate Richard Blanco, while 2027 blasts off with a space exploration theme.

Since its launch, Piano Slam has reached over 105,000 students across 100 schools, transforming classrooms into stages and students into artists, thinkers, and dreamers.

For more information, please visit https://www.pianoslam.org/