Chad Bernstein is a husband and father of four amazing kids, the co-founder of Guitars Over Guns, and a professional musician who has been instrumental in the evolution of the “Latin Funk” sound of Miami. Through the universal language of music, Chad galvanized the artist community to use music as a bridge to reach and empower Miami and Chicago’s most vulnerable youth.
Chad received a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami in 2012, turning the focus of his academic studies to Guitars Over Guns in his dissertation, “The Effectiveness of Music Mentoring for At-Risk Youth Through the GOGO Program,” published in 2012. This paved the way for Guitars Over Guns’ research-based methodology and set the stage for Chad and his father, Bob, a Chicago investment professional, to collaborate on the organization’s creation in 2008. Chad took on Guitars Over Guns as a full-time career upon graduating (while continuing a rigorous performance schedule) and was named CEO in 2012. Today, Guitars Over Guns has a $2,000,000 budget with 90 musicians serving nearly 1,000 students a year in 30 sites between Miami and Chicago. In April of 2015, Chad was honored as a CNN Hero for his work and has since been featured on the Steve Harvey Show and in People Magazine. Most recently, Chad received the Ruth Shack Leadership Award, an honor held in Miami’s highest regard.
Chad remains one of South Florida’s premier Latin, jazz, and funk artists. While trombone remains his primary instrument, he also plays conch shells, sousaphone, and keyboards with multiple bands. He performs most prominently with the Latin Grammy-nominated Spam Allstars, with whom he has toured throughout Europe and the U.S., and the highly popular Miami-based Latin-funk band, ¡Suénalo!, the inspiration for Guitars Over Guns. He has also worked with Pitbull, Shakira, will.i.am, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Chaka Kahn, John Legend, Phil Ramone, and many more.
Chad is currently serving his second term as a Governor on the board of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), where he co-chairs their Education Committee. In addition to his work with The Spam Allstars and ¡Suénalo!, two groups that have pioneered Miami’s signature Latin-Funk sound, Chad also works with James Brown’s long-time musical director, Pee Wee Ellis, and Latin pop star, Jencarlos Canela.
Chad released his first full-length CD, Suite for 2nd Lieutenant, in 2012, an original body of work he wrote in dedication to his brother, Max Bernstein, upon his first deployment to Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine Corps combat platoon leader. He released that CD after his brother completed his very distinguished service as a Captain and Company Commander in 2014.
Chief Operating Officer
Jono De Leon earned a Master’s degree in Education and Social Change from the University of Miami in 2011 after joining Teach For America in 2007 to help close the achievement gap for high-need students in Miami-Dade County. He joined the Guitars Over Guns family in 2012, acting as a mentor, Site Coordinator and Director of Education before stepping into his current role as Chief Operating Officer.
During his eight years in the classroom, Jono co-founded a guitar program that reached over 2,000 students. He pursued several leadership roles within his school community, serving as the Activities and Athletics Director and the Enrichments Department Chair. From 2011-2015, De Leon was also Director of the Museums and Communications Magnet Programs, planning and overseeing the implementation of magnet curriculum through academic and enrichment courses, and co-facilitating all countywide recruitment efforts along with the school’s International Baccalaureate program.
Passionate about civic engagement, Jono is an active member of the Miami chapter of Miami’s Next Leaders – an organization focused on training and engaging our nation’s next generation of progressive leaders. After completing his fellowship in 2013, he remained a fixture at the MNL Institute, serving on the Curriculum Council in 2014 and as Capstone Director in 2015 and 2019. Jono also joined Miami’s Next Leaders Executive Board in 2019.
Regional Director
Miami
Walker Moseley was born and raised in Boone, North Carolina, a small town located in the Appalachian mountains. After graduating from North Carolina State University in 2010, he moved to Miami to complete an AmeriCorps year of service with City Year. Upon completing his year of service with City Year, he accepted a Program Manager position with the organization and oversaw City Year’s implementation in Allapattah and Liberty City public schools.
In the fall of 2014, Walker moved to Philadelphia to attend graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a master’s degree in Public Administration and Organizational Development. While in graduate school, Walker was a Lipman Fellow with the Wharton School of Business and worked for the Committee of Seventy, a think tank focused on ethical governance, where he launched a successful pilot program that engages juniors and seniors in Philadelphia high schools through elections-focused service learning.
Upon completing his graduate degree, Walker accepted a position at the School of Education at Drexel University. At Drexel, he oversaw the creation, development, and implementation of a pilot program called DragonsTeach Middle Years, which aims to expand the middle school teacher pipeline in Philadelphia by creating a pathway for Drexel undergraduates from any major, to add a teacher-certification track to their plan of study without changing their major.
Born on the southside of Chicago, Andre “Add-2” Daniels has used his gift with words as well as his passion for his community to change the reality that surrounds him. As a rapper/mentor/community activist, he created a free recording studio/music mentoring program for teens and young adults called “Haven Studios”. This program encourages youth to find their creative voices, connects them with resources to develop educated careers in entertainment and has become a safe space for many youth all over the city of Chicago.
Add-2 has won a Telly Award with Michelle Obama’s Organization When We All Vote, is currently the Governor of the Chicago Grammy Chapter, has given a TEDx Talk titled “The Power of Music”, was the 1st Rap Consultant for the Goodman Theater, was named one AT&T’s 28 Black Future Makers of 2021 and has worked with National Geographic, Red Table Talk, Apple, Vans, Boost Mobile, Redbull, Rollingstone, CBS, NBC, The Steve Harvey Show, Nike, Adidas, LRG, TUMI, Tribeca Film Festival and more. Add-2 is currently the Regional Director of Guitars Over Guns in Chicago and an adjunct professor at Columbia College teaching Audio History.
Regional Director, New York
Growing up, Franklin Rossman always knew one thing—he was going to make his mark in Hip-Hop! As a kid, the Brooklyn, New York native soaked up all of the culture and sounds around him. JAY-Z, the Notorious B.I.G. and Nas helped to inspire Franklin’s musical tastes and aspirations. With that, Franklin began creating, and his first works were a series of mixtapes under the stage name, The Incomparable Shakespeare.
Franklin established himself as a talented lyricist early on with appearances on Sirius XM’s Sway In The Morning, Showoff Radio with Statik Selektah, and MTV. He’s performed alongside Hip-Hop luminaries including Slick Rick, The Lox, and has collaborated with the likes of Kool G. Rap, Sean P, and others.
In addition to music, Franklin is intimately involved in education. He developed and piloted a Hip-Hop ELA curriculum. His work explores literacy through Hip-Hop, bringing a socially and culturally relevant approach to learning across schools and community organizations. For multiple summers, in partnership with Harlem Children’s Zone, he helped coordinate literacy-based programming at Columbia University. With over a decade of experience in the classroom and the entertainment industry, Franklin remains committed to youth development.
Andrew DeMuro has long balanced a “double life” between music and education. As an undergraduate at the University of Miami’s School of Education & Human Development, he logged over 700 hours in Miami’s low-income schools and communities, including a culminating student- teaching experience at Booker T. Washington Senior High School which earned him UM’s “Excellence in Student Teaching” Award in 2012. He also put his musical talents to work at the renowned Frost School of Music, and became the first freshman non-music major selected for the Jazz Vocal 1 group.
After graduation, Andrew moved to Chicago to join Teach For America, and was employed at an all-boys charter high school on the city’s West Side. While teaching, Andrew developed a passion for shifting and rebuilding adult mindsets around students from marginalized backgrounds, particularly those with disabilities. He also started his charter network’s first sustained extracurricular choir, UPliftment, which twice earned superior ratings at the Illinois “Trills & Thrills” Music Festival at Six Flags: Great America.
In an effort to better combine his two passions, Andrew joined the Guitars Over Guns family in the fall of 2015 as a founding mentor and site coordinator at Evergreen Academy Middle School on Chicago’s South Side. During this time, he wrote and played music extensively with his acoustic trio, The Shades – a trio University of Miami alumni – and was honored with the unique opportunity to represent “Team Adam” on Season 11 of NBC’s The Voice.
Following his time on The Voice, Andrew immediately returned to the Windy City to begin working as Chicago’s founding Regional Director for Guitars Over Guns. While managing the experiences of nearly 350 students, fifteen mentors, and four local school partners, he was recognized by his alma mater as one of the University of Miami’s “30 Under 30.” Through his work with Guitars Over Guns, Andrew hopes to continue to strike a balance between his two passions.
Special Assistant to the President/CEO
An innovative collaborator both on stage and behind the scenes, Carly Gordon enjoys a multifaceted career as an oboist and arts administrator active throughout South Florida and Canada. Lauded for her “warmly phrased” playing (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Carly has performed for two seasons as Second Oboe with the Palm Beach Symphony and Florida Grand Opera, joining the Miami City Ballet orchestra in the 2019-20 season.
Carly is passionate about blending research, storytelling, and new media with creative performance. Specializing in contemporary music, she is an alumna of the Toronto Creative Music Lab, Labo de musique contemporaine de Montréal, and Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity. With Against the Grain Theatre, Carly was part of the “awe-inspiring” 2017 debut (Calgary Herald) of a new production of Claude Vivier’s Kopernikus, rejoining the “heroic” instrumental ensemble (Bachtrack) for the opera’s 2019 Toronto premiere and receiving a Dora Mavor Moore Award for her role.
As an administrator, Carly completed a Public Relations internship at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After two years serving a roster of nonprofit clients as a copywriter/strategist for Miami-based communications firm theAOinsight Group, Carly now works as Special Assistant to the President/CEO of Guitars Over Guns. Here, she implements innovative administrative practices to support the organization’s nationally recognized music education programming.
Carly completed her undergraduate degree in Oboe Performance at the Eastman School of Music, simultaneously pursuing a dual-degree in Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester. In 2017, she completed a Master of Music degree at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.
Director of Mental Health & Wellness
Natasha Santana-Viera is a Florida native who has a deep passion for supporting others and strongly believes in the power of young people. Deeply rooted in restorative and transformative practices, and trauma-informed healing justice, Natasha cultivates spaces for people to heal and step into their power in brave and authentic ways. As a Social Worker and certified youth facilitator, Natasha has focused her life’s work on advocating for equity and liberation for marginalized and systems-impacted individuals.
Natasha has 10 years of experience in the field of social work and youth development, including individual and family therapy, group facilitation, case management, racial justice education, gender-based violence and consent education, college readiness, curriculum development, and program management. Natasha holds a Master’s degree from New York University Silver School of Social Work—focusing her studies on adolescents, group work, criminal justice and organizational leadership. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in Sociology with a minor in Theories and Politics of Sexuality.
Amanda Hale has joined the team at Guitars Over Guns to support in marketing, communications, and development. Amanda has over fifteen years of experience in managing all facets of marketing. Amanda worked for The Standard hotels for almost a decade, starting in Miami Beach and then moving cross country to oversee marketing for hotels in Downtown LA and Hollywood. Amanda is skilled in building complex marketing plans with a creative yet calculated approach. She’s known for being collaborative, adaptable, and hard-working.
Social Media & Content Manager
Michelle “MJ” Donnelly is a dynamic singer, rapper, and songwriter hailing from Harlem, New York City. Her journey with Guitars Over Guns began as a vocal and songwriting mentor, where she has made a profound impact on her students. MJ’s love for the arts was nurtured early on, with a childhood rich in cultural experiences—ranging from ballet, tap, and modern dance at the Dance Theatre of Harlem to summer art programs at Riverbank State Park, and chorus in every school she attended. As a teenager, she honed her skills as a peer mentor with the Harlem Children’s Zone, where she studied vocals and music production, and participated in musical theatre and studio recording as extracurriculars. The opportunity to create and learn within a community has deeply shaped her artistic journey.
MJ has lit up stages in the underground music scenes of both New York and Miami, performing at Smoke Signals Mia, iiiPoints festival, and a host of underground events in Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Her latest projects involve collaborations with community activists and influencers to raise awareness about social causes, including prison reform with Dream Defenders Miami (“The Free Tape,” available on all platforms) and support for the LGBT community alongside Life Coach Octavia Yearwood (“Life’s Interludes” EP). After managing social media for nearly three years, MJ officially joined the Guitars Over Guns staff as Social Media and Content Manager, bringing her passion for storytelling and community-building to the forefront of our mission. She is excited to continue amplifying the voices of our communities nationwide!
“Community is everything to me. If I can change one person’s perspective for the better, I know I’ve made progress– because that person will share that perspective with others. The youth is the key to making real change. Let’s pour positivity, love and music into them and build better communities.”
Manager of People & Culture
Jessica Davidson, originally from the scenic East Coast of Canada, has always loved music, a passion that started in her early childhood. She pursued her interest in music through studying piano with The Royal Conservatory, a journey she continued until she was 18. This led her to pursue a unique academic journey combining studies in Music, Business, and Psychology at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.
After university, Jessica moved to London, UK, where she gained diverse experience across various industries, particularly in start-ups. This also included a significant stint at Uber where she worked for over two years. Now, having moved to Miami, Jessica is excited to blend her passion for music and helping others in her new role with an inspiring organization that has a strong, positive impact in the community. in the community.
Grants Manager
Passion drives purpose, and Dianna’s purpose has been crystal clear from the start—empowering non-profits through strategic funding management, impactful educational programs, and informed decision-making grounded in data. As a recipient of the prestigious White House Champions of Change award, Dianna’s career is a testament to over a decade of dedication to non-profit excellence, federal funding mastery, and community development.
As a Non-profit Grants Manager and Data Analyst, Dianna leverages analytical acuity to guide data-driven decision-making that amplifies community impact. With robust expertise in grant writing and program development, Dianna transforms raw data into strategic insights that shape community safety and enhance program efficacy.
Dianna excels in crafting systems that simplify complex regulatory compliance and funding acquisition, showcasing a strong track record in securing and increasing agency budgets. Analytical endeavors include executing SQL queries in BigQuery, employing R for comprehensive data analysis, and visualizing data through Tableau, transforming insights into actionable strategies.
What drives Dianna’s success? A relentless focus on results, an unwavering commitment to team leadership, and an innovative mindset that constantly seeks more efficient pathways to serve communities.
Director of Advancement, Miami
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Director of Advancement, Brax Tinkler, noticed the difference in people’s circumstances at a young age, and has always been passionate about social justice, youth empowerment, utilizing art as a creative outlet and community engagement.
Brax worked in leadership positions in non-profits since 2008, inclusive of North Carolina, Texas and Florida and has extensive experience working in direct service helping individuals experiencing homelessness find jobs and housing. Additionally, Brax has worked significantly with programs supporting young people, LGBTQ and marginalized populations.
In 2016, Brax pivoted from the direct service non-profit realm and shifted into a full-time Operations and Development Director position at Power U Center for Social Change, prior to their more recent work as Senior Development Officer at The Posse Foundation, where they utilized strategic thinking and mapping to build the organization’s local visibility and fund development plan.
Brax is enthusiastic about storytelling, networking, and connecting people to resources and each other. Brax is very authentic and enjoys executing events and supporting the leadership development of others.
Brax received their Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Sociology/Anthropology, with a Minor in Political Science, from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2008 and a Master of Science in Social Work, with a concentration in Community Administrative Leadership, from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
Passionate about Civic Engagement, Brax completed the New Leaders Council Fellowship program in Broward County in 2019 and co-led the SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) Miami chapter from 2018 to 2021. Driven by a Human Rights Framework and a vision for a more equitable world, Brax is committed to collective liberation.
During Brax’s extra time, they perform stand-up comedy, and produce comedy shows with their production company, Brax Productions, where they unify people through laughter, and enjoy spending countless hours with their three little nieces.
Director of Development, Chicago
Ayrika Craig, a native of Dayton, Ohio, brings eight years of experience in the arts and design sector to Guitars Over Guns. Her professional journey spans non-profit organizations and government entities, including impactful roles at the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Ayrika’s passion for the arts led her to Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her bachelor’s in Advertising Art Direction. Subsequently, she pursued a master’s in Community Development and Action from Roosevelt University. Throughout her career, Ayrika has engaged in diverse projects, ranging from city planning to youth development initiatives in the arts and culture industry. Her commitment lies in enhancing the quality of life for individuals through community development. As a dedicated Community Engagement Specialist, Ayrika possesses advanced expertise in marketing, social capital development, and communications. She excels in optimizing marketing strategies and enhancing program operations for maximum effectiveness and resource utilization.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Ayrika indulges in museum visits, site seeing, trying new foods, and spending quality time with family and friends. In her current role as the Director of Development, Chicago, at Guitars Over Guns, she is charged with cultivating a culture of philanthropy. Collaborating with a cross-city team, Ayrika shapes and implements strategies to achieve annual goals through grants, events, and donations.
Development Manager, New York City
As a grassroots organizer and movement builder, Dara Sicherman Salett helped launch Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Everytown for Gun Safety where she ran the National Leadership Program for volunteers. Prior to her involvement in advocacy work, Dara worked at the Brooklyn Museum with prints and drawings and taught Art History at many NYC colleges including the Pratt Institute, Fordham University, and Queens College. She lives in Brooklyn with a large family and many pets.
While Dara has tried many times to learn a musical instrument, she has never succeeded in mastering any. Regardless, music has always been central to Dara’s life from first concerts (Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince!) to more recent house concerts and studio shows with friends in the music community.
Dara has long admired the work of Guitars over Guns and is thrilled to have the chance to help build that out in NYC with this exciting new chapter of evolution and growth. Having the opportunity to combine her passion for youth development, the arts, and community-based programming is something she is honored to be a part of.
Alumni Coordinator
ZAYA is a gifted entertainer, influencer and community leader. Hailing from Long Beach, California he began his musical journey at the age four singing in churches across Southern California and Houston, Texas which gave him his musical foundation.
At 15, ZAYA began to battle a muscle disease which left him hospitalized for over seven months and wheelchair bound for five years. During his hospitalization he used music as daily motivation and a form of therapy. Upon his release he realized his passion and destiny to change people’s lives through music.
At 18, ZAYA moved to Miami, FL to attend The University of Miami. In just a few short months ZAYA received many opportunities to perform throughout the South Florida area, and quickly became a well respected brand in the South Florida music scene.Known for his infectious stage presence, live band experience, and contemporary twist on classic covers ZAYA is sure to ignite any space, regardless of age,race, and gender.
ZAYA is currently working on his debut project as ZAYA which will introduce the world to his unique sound and perspective on life and music today.
Miami native, Carlos Gonzalez, is a jazz saxophonist with a passion for music education. Carlos is a two-time Florida International University graduate, holding a bachelors degree in Music Education and a masters degree in Music Management and Production. During his studies, he performed as a member of the Studio Jazz Big Band, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and FIU Saxophone Quartet. Additionally, he studied classical saxophone technique and repertoire under the direction of the late Carlos Averhoff. Carlos strives to be an active member in Miami’s music scene, and has worked as a performer, producer, and live sound engineer. Carlos’ passion for fostering community participation in the arts has been his driving force in his professional life. He hopes to continue helping the Miami arts community grow in scale and provide access to similar music experiences that have inspired him for others in the community.
Guitarist Mark Anderson is an active performer, composer and arranger in Duo Tandem (with Necati Emirzade), an instrumental guitar duo with a focus on storytelling through music. Their music has been hailed as a “new and exciting polyglot” (Classical Guitar Magazine) and a “wonderful melange” (Minor7th.com), with their latest album Watching the World Go By being chosen as one of the top 10 albums of the year (2018) by Classical Guitar Magazine.
Mark has performed throughout the United States and Europe including at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley and at the historic Bellapais Monastery in Cyprus with the president of North Cyprus, President Mustafa Akıncı, in attendance. He has also premiered many works for guitar including “Inventions on Um a Zero” (written for Duo Tandem) by João Luiz and “Rising Spirals” by award-winning composer Chinary Ung (U.S. premiere).
In addition to mentoring with Guitars Over Guns, Mark is currently on faculty at Millikin University, Illinois Wesleyan University and the Academy of Movement and Music, as well as maintaining a private studio in Chicago.
My name is Jeremiah Fristoe. I’m a songwriter and producer who uses my talents to educate, entertain and better my community. I volunteer my time teaching children and young adults about self-expression and creativity. I use lyricism and digital production to help nurture people’s talents and fine-tune their gifts. My goal is to increase communication, unity and self-love through music and art.
Vocals
Bold, sensual vocalist, Alysha Monique, mesmerizes audiences with the sultry vocal styling of jazz and soul music. Her endearing aura bewitches listeners into the essence of love, individuality and self-actualization. Surrounded by incredible musicians who strive to push their music to an innovative level, Alysha’s creativity and originality continue to ascend upward. An experience with Alysha is striking, genuine and poignant.
Programs Manager, Waukegan
Jeremy Jamaar “J” Jervis is a creative artist with decades of experience in creating art work, producing music and video production. Growing up in the North Chicago/Waukegan area as well as The Bahamas has influenced him in many artistic ways. J believes people aren’t one dimensional and have the liberty and ability to create many things on different levels. He has a passion for helping others find and utilize their gifts and talents with hopes that they find purpose in life by using them. J is committed to learning, to expand his knowledge and is dedicated to teaching what he knows to the next generation. He is looking to be a positive influence in his community.
M-Power Manager, Chicago
Mindy Taylor is a dedicated social worker with over 15 years of combined experience in social services, ranging from education to affordable housing and public service. Growing up in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, Mindy lived communally with other families who worked tirelessly to help people who were experiencing hunger, homelessness, or had simply fallen on hard times. The community she grew up in was full of artists and musicians, and she saw art and music as a catalyst to change people’s lives and bring about peace in a neighborhood often plagued by violence and class warfare. Her passion for helping others led her to earn a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she specialized in community health and urban development. Mindy is thrilled to join GOGO’s Chicago team and looks forward to focusing on mental health initiatives that directly support the mission along with increasing partnerships that provide vital resources to the organization.
Regional Coordinator, Chicago
Alex Peyton-Levine joined Guitars Over Guns as the Regional Coordinator in Chicago in May 2023. Alex was raised in New Hampshire, lived in Oregon for a decade where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon in 2011, moved to Chicago in 2015 to earn her Masters of Fine Art from the school of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has been living and working in the city since.
With a background in visual arts, administration, and management, Alex is passionate about uplifting creative communities and empowering artists and performers of all ages to make and share their work. She loves being a part of a larger vision and collaborating within a community to bring that vision to life. Her highest priority as a coordinator is to facilitate genuine expression, foster an environment of compassion, and to provide robust support with a sense of humor.
Raised on Chicago’s Southside, Dennis Thompson’s musical education began at the age of 4 with the piano, transitioning to the violin then alto sax and finally drums though his college career. During his undergraduate years at NIU, Dennis began to develop his production skills, working with local artists and finally focusing on producing the group he co-founded, H2O Soul. Upon graduating from NIU, he attended Columbia to pursue his Masters in Music Business. Dennis worked in music advertising at a Chicago Production House called Genuine Music, creating original compositions and sound design for major brands from 2006-2011. Now focused on teaching production and engineering at the Haven Studio, collaborating with other artists and serving the local music community through his nonprofit, Khemistry, Dennis hopes to work through music to make his voice heard and make a positive difference.
Poetry & Creative Writing Mentor
Producer, Haven Cinema
Zaria “(Zee)niith” Evans is a Chicago native and a practicing photographer and cinematographer. She’s been a professional inn her field for almost three years under the tutelage of her mentor. Zaria describes herself as passionate, dedicated, and ambitious and these qualities show themselves in the classroom. She’s a site-coordinator at her alma mater, Kenwood Academy, where she teaches photography and cinema, along with self-love, accountability, and empathy to her high school students. Zaria’s main goal is to give back to her community and use her experiences to foster unity, compassion, discipline, and responsibility in the minds of her students and her friends.
“Everything you’ve gone though, even the things you thought would break you, happened so you could make sure the next generation doesn’t have as steep of a learning curve as you did.” —Zeeniith
Born and raised in South Florida, Tif Boom has been passionate about art and music for more than two decades. At a young age she fell in love with poetry, and began writing, performing and competing locally. At the age of 16, Tif published her first poem, and later went on to perform at Jazz in the Gardens and featured on Maybach Music Group (MMG) projects. She believes poetry and music are tools of empowerment, and uses her voice to deliver messages of equality, love and injustice.
In 2015, Tif joined forces with Papa Keith and 103.5 The Beat, Miami’s urban radio station, where her affection for underserved communities and upcoming artists flourished. She sits on the Papa Keith 4 People Matter (PK4PM) 501(c)(3) board, where she aids in bringing useful resources to forgotten neighborhoods.
Annually, the PK4PM team organizes a free hip hop concert for Liberty City that includes arts, sports and family fun. Tif books unsigned artist, including high school and middle school students, to perform positive music in front of thousands.
Year round, Tif Boom can be found servicing client’s public relations needs, hosting events and offering artist development tools to rising talent.
Jesse “Ron Got The Recipe” Dalrymple is a seasoned South Florida-based producer, musician, and recording artist. His production is affiliated with projects of multiple local artists. He has also performed at several major festivals and has over 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
Ron‘s musicianship began in early childhood when his father, also a musician, introduced him to piano-playing in the form of classical music. In high-school, Ron studied music production as well as joined the marching, concert, and Jazz bands where he became a proficient drummer. These factors combined birthed his production style of 90’s era of hip-hop, R&B, Jazz, and Funk.
Ron has toured in multiple cities across the US. He has also performed in major festivals such as III Points (2016), Jazz in the Gardens (2017), Okeechobee Fest (2018), and SunFest (2019). In 2019, Ron released his single “Die For This” on all streaming platforms which touches on the harsh truths of police brutality and modern racism. Ron ultimately aims to contribute to the culture by collaborating with other artists and spreading social awareness to both the current and upcoming generations.
Programs Manager, Miami
My name is Antonio Correa. I’m a lifelong musician and an undergrad for music therapy. Music has been a safe place for as long as I can remember, and I look forward to applying the art form I enjoy in order to guide as many people possible.
Programs Manager, South
Born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Camilo Velez is a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist based in Miami. He attended the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Production and Composition of Music for TV, Film, and Media.
Camilo has been a vibrant part of the Miami music scene for the past 15 years, performing locally, nationally, and internationally. He has showcased his talents at major festivals such as III Points and Altavoz in Colombia.
His work includes features on notable albums like Polygons (2023), Where’d You Go (2019) by Butterfly Snapple, and Orden (2017) by Muning.
Before his current role as a Program Manager, Camilo was a Site Coordinator and Mentor for three years at Guitars Over Guns, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through music education and mentorship.
Currently, Camilo focuses on researching and implementing self-actualization practices into daily life and creating social awareness around the importance of self-development.
Chaylin Johnson is a Florida native. She pursued her bachelor in psychology in Boston where she lived for over a decade. In Boston she had the privilege of working with organizations aimed at providing equitable support to children and families in under-served neighborhoods. Chaylin fell in love with creating artistic space for youth to thrive. She believed that all art forms are beneficial tools for people of all ages.
Chaylin’s experience includes educator, community organizing and engagement, program development, family engagement relations coordinator and consulting as a children service specialist. She is thrilled to join the Guitars over Guns team.
Among South Florida’s legion of live music loyalists and millennial party-rockers, J. HOWARD is already low-key famous. The multi-instrumentalist / singer / songwriter collects new fans faster than his trusty Boss Audio Loop Pedal collects a new crowd-pleasing improvisation. It’s one of the reasons promoters have summoned J. HOWARD as far north as AFROPUNK FEST Brooklyn, and partly explains how an Ohio native could ultimately be tapped to curate the popular MIAMI IN ATLANTA music showcase (Parts 1 & 2). It’s not often that a generation produces an artist whose cosmic sense of style, showmanship and innate musicality transcends culture, genre, and locale; thankfully, J. HOWARD’S time has come.
As the son of Eddie Howard Jr. (Commissioned), one of the busiest multi-instrumentalists in Detroit, J. HOWARD was privileged to watch his father work with artists like Anita Baker, Fred Hammond, and The Williams Brothers. Now, as a veteran live performer in his own right, J. HOWARD wields drumsticks, guitars, loop pedals, keys and vocal runs with the artful precision of a Samurai wielding his sword. He’s won over audiences with electrifying sets on many of Miami’s most notable stages: Faena, Bardot, The Stage Miami, The Stage Wynwood, Wynwood Yard, Piano Bar, Little Haiti Cultural Complex, African Cultural Arts, E11even, and Sidebar are just a few. A consummate collaborator, J. HOWARD’S humble beginnings included playing as part of the house band for events like the Vagabond and SpeakFriday’s, and a stint at Churchills from 2014-2016 where he performed in a band called Black Rock Kills. Since then, J. HOWARD has performed with Latin, gospel, R&B and hip-hop artists, including Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters, Domino Saints, EA Musica, Marger, Encore, Entourage, Louis Miguel, and Los Wizards. Recently, J. HOWARD was invited to take up a Saturday night residency at the Hardrock Hotel and Casino playing drums alongside DJ Cardi (Miami Heat). He’s also performed with DJ Vertigo (Miami Dolphins), DJ Peewee and DJ Waytrae. Last year, J. HOWARD was invited to perform at the Wynwood’s Finest Music Festival, and the Okeechobee Music x Arts Festival, where he joined legends Chaka Khan, The Roots, Travis Scott and Snoop Dogg. Most recently, J. Howard opened for neo-soul originator Erykah Badu at the Three Points Music Festival.
HOWARD is as dedicated to the studio as he is to the stage. Original tracks like “Know It” (feat. Ill-logicz, prod. Sean Wright), “Push,” “Without You” and “Out of Space” showcase his heart-melting, four-octave vocal range and songwriting abilities. J. HOWARD’S take on the art of seduction shines through on the vampy “Out of Space,” where he asks “Let me see into your eyes / And see what has compiled / I see some things that I can change for you /….I know exactly what you need / how you think how you breathe / I’m going to be the one that don’t fall through.”
“I been grinding for a long time / People told me give up and I almost lost my mind / Too many times, but I know and God knows / There’s something bigger than me…” J. HOWARD explains on “Know It.”
As a lifestyle brand, J. HOWARD’S influence is undeniable. When he’s not moonlighting as an event planner and host, the artist is busy coming up with new scents for his fragrance line, or new slogans for his J. HOWARD t-shirt line. Bearing his name in swanky script, or signature J. HOWARD expressions like “You Too Sleep,” the J. HOWARD brand has already graced stages he has yet to touch himself. LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, the Late Late Show with James Corden, concert tours with Rita Ora and Baby Cham—all have featured fellow musician friends (and family) rocking the J. HOWARD brand.
“I want to give the Word, love, hope, positivity and perspective with my music and brand,” says the artist soon-to-be-recognized as “The Godson of Soul.” “I’m letting everyone know that they are great. You just got to wake it up in yourself and realize.”
Current J. HOWARD projects include The Freedom Tapes alongside activists The Dream Defenders, an EP, Low Key Famous set to release in the first half of 2019, and Perspective, his first album slated for release in the latter half of the year. A strong advocate of “Each one, teach one,” J. HOWARD also lends his talents to the mentoring program Guitars over Guns, where he instructs middle school students in drums and production.
Caleb Alcime has been playing drums since the age of nine. Skilled in genres ranging from jazz and gospel to hip hop, R&B and Latin, Caleb is in high-demand, performing with multiple bands across Miami. An alumnus of Guitars Over Guns and Young Musicians Unite, two programs serving Miami-area youth through the power of music education, Caleb is passionate about youth development and giving back to his community. With the Guitars Over Guns alumni band, Unistiq, Caleb has twice been a featured performer at TEDxCoconutGrove, an independently organized TED event, and has headlined at the annual Choose Your Sound Benefit Concert, performing for an audience of esteemed donors, community stakeholders, and public officials. “Drums have somewhat become a part of me,” Caleb says. “I can’t let it go no matter how hard I try.”
Development Coordinator, Miami
Raiha Bajwa is a recent transplant to South Florida from Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she attended the University of Alabama, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a minor in Women’s Studies. Their background includes working for voters’ rights in the Deep South, organizing immigrant communities, and advocating for reproductive autonomy.
Raiha is excited to be joining the team at Guitars Over Guns and looks forward to helping build power among the youth in her community.
Accountant
Lawrence J. Cohen (Larry) is currently the bookkeeper for Guitars Over Guns. Larry was born in Miami Beach and grew up in Philadelphia. Following graduation in 1976 from American University in Washington, D.C., with B.A. in accounting and urban development, Larry moved back to the west coast of Florida to work for Lehigh Corporation, a land development and time-share company. Upon leaving Lehigh Corporation, Larry became Vice President of Romivest, Inc. and subsequently Preferred Equities Corp., both land development and time-share companies. Larry owned and operated five Subway locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties after departing the corporate world. In his spare time, Larry plays golf, enjoys the theater and spending time with his seven grandchildren.
Tiffany Cannava is a seasoned nonprofit executive with a proven ability to build and lead dynamic development programs, including major gifts, capital campaigns, galas, peer-to-peer fundraising and government/private grants. She specializes in donor and staff relations, excels in the ambassador role and has over 20 years of experience with nonprofit education and social service organizations in board development, operations, staff restructuring, budgeting, strategic planning and program management. Tiffany is a collaborative team-builder working alongside board members, volunteer committees and all levels of staff.
Most recently, Tiffany successfully created and executed all aspects of a feasibility study on behalf of the Church by the Sea to assess and determine the overall viability of the creation of a church-funded nonprofit foundation, while she simultaneously expanded the church’s volunteer network and community engagement efforts. As Director of Advancement, Major Gifts and Capital Campaigns at The Cushman School, Tiffany launched Cushman’s first-ever capital campaign, raising over $6 million. Before joining Cushman, Tiffany served as Vice President, State Operations & Programs for Best Buddies International, where she oversaw the organization’s expansion and operations of 21 state offices across the country with a combined annual budget of $14 million and a department of 180 employees.
Tiffany currently facilitates a monthly nonprofit forum with The Commonwealth Institute, serves as a volunteer on the Executive Committee for the Northeast Corridor Together for Children Coalition, and as the Development Chair on the Early Learning Foundation Board. She holds a B.A. in Special Education and Psychology from the University of Miami, and lives in Miami with her husband and three children.
