Guitars Over Guns

Guitars Over Guns We offer students in Miami, Chicago, LA & NYC a power combo of music education and mentorship 🎸🚀 We have served more than 5,000 students over the past decade.

Our Philosophy
Guitars Over Guns’ unique curriculum emphasizes social-emotional learning and outcomes through music and arts instruction. After each session, mentors assess students’ academic performance, school and program attendance, artistic progress and peer interactions. We use social-emotional learning measurements to evaluate key competencies such as empathy, teamwork, initiative, responsib

ility and problem solving. Recent evaluations indicate that over 90 percent of Guitars Over Guns students improved their academic performance, overall conduct and decision-making skills. These measurements are byproducts of a greater shift that is occurring in the way these young people think about the world and their place in it. Our Story
Established in Miami in 2008, the organization now operates in Miami and Chicago. Guitars Over Guns began as an informal music mentoring project led by Dr. Chad Bernstein, serving youth from under-resourced neighborhoods in Miami. Upon observing the students’ achievements both on stage and in the classroom, Chad formalized the program and partnered with local schools to impact even more youth. In collaboration with Communities in Schools of Miami, the first official Guitars Over Guns program began at North Miami Middle School in 2008. Over the past twelve years, the program has grown to offer no-cost music instruction, mentorship and academic support at 36 school and community sites in Miami and Chicago. Additionally, Guitars Over Guns now offers a more extensive curriculum that includes dance, visual arts and annual summer camps. With the support of our mentors, staff, community partners, board of directors and passionate advocates around the world, Guitars Over Guns is ready to inspire and empower students everywhere to .

09/03/2026

Get to know Octuriya. 🎤🩷

A first-year GOGO mentee from North County K-8 Center, Octuriya stepped into our 2026 Miami Spring Break Music Video Project with something special to share: her own lyrics, her own verse, and a voice that shines when she sings.

For Octuriya, the most exciting part of the project was filming her solo performance, a moment shaped by creativity, confidence, and the mentors who continue to encourage her along the way.
Shoutout to Mr. Salam, Miss Christina, and Miss Lanier for helping remind her that her goals are worth going after.

This is the story behind : young people finding their voice, building confidence, and being surrounded by mentors who help them believe in what’s possible.
Join us at Choose Your Sound as we celebrate the moments, mentors, and music that make stories like Octuriya’s possible.

Tickets are still available now. Music Video drops September 24th.

Meet Sarah, one of this year’s honorees. 🩷🎶A dedicated philanthropist, community leader, and National Board Member of ...
09/01/2026

Meet Sarah, one of this year’s honorees. 🩷🎶

A dedicated philanthropist, community leader, and National Board Member of Guitars Over Guns Organization, Sarah has built a life of service rooted in care for people, communities, and the planet.

Through her family office’s philanthropy, Sarah supports causes connected to democracy, environmental sustainability, ocean and wildlife preservation, and human rights. She is also deeply invested in her local community, including efforts to reduce single-use plastics and create more sustainable practices for the next generation.

At GOGO, Sarah brings that same spirit of purpose and responsibility to her board leadership, helping champion the young people, mentors, and creative communities at the heart of our mission.

We are proud to celebrate Sarah at Choose Your Sound and grateful for the many ways she helps make this work possible.

Early Bird is over, but tickets are still live! 🎟️✨ Grab yours now http://CYS26.givesmart.com

08/28/2026

Rapid fire with our NYC , Rose Lopez 🎤🧡
Bronx native. Vocalist. Emcee. Boy mom. Hip-hop enthusiast. Arts educator. True student of music.

Rose reminds us that mentorship is about belief, accountability, and showing students that their creative voices deserve to be taken seriously.

Thank you, Rose, for bringing excellence with uptown swag to GOGO NYC. 🎶

08/24/2026

At Mentor Institute, one of our mentees, Octuriya, stood surrounded by mentors from across the GOGO community as they sang “Scars to Your Beautiful” together.

It was one of those moments that says everything without needing much explanation: young people being seen, mentors showing up with love, and music creating a space where everyone in the room could feel empowered, connected, and whole.

This is what Guitars Over Guns is about.

With one week left for Early Bird tickets to Choose Your Sound, we invite you to stand with us in making more moments like this possible.

When you support CYS, you support the spaces where young people find their voice, build confidence, and are reminded that they are worthy of being heard.
Early Bird tickets end September 1. 🎶💜

08/21/2026

The official music video for “Better Believe” is out now, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Eddie Vedder, The Obama Foundation, and artists and students from Chicago-based nonprofit Guitars Over Guns came together to create the song and its powerful live debut at the Obama Presidential Ce...

Mentor Institute 2026 was a reminder of what happens when the people who pour into young people get poured into, too. đź’™M...
08/21/2026

Mentor Institute 2026 was a reminder of what happens when the people who pour into young people get poured into, too. đź’™

Mentors, staff, alumni, facilitators, and leaders from across the GOGO community came together for three days of music, reflection, learning, planning, and connection.

We heard from students and alumni, explored the GOGO Funnel, reflected on Circles of Support, practiced new tools for Artistic Time, learned alongside Official Arts Ed Newark, and made space to imagine what’s possible for the young people we’ll serve this year.

Plus, a surprise exclusive performance by Common?! What a moment. 🔥

Thank you to every mentor who showed up fully and said yes to growth, community, and the work ahead. The next step starts here. 🎶

Photo/Video Credit: Marley Jane

08/20/2026

This month, we’re proud to spotlight one of our 2025–2026 NYC Mentors Rose Lopez, August . 🎤🧡

A Bronx native, incredible vocalist and emcee, boy mom, hip-hop enthusiast, and true student of music, Rose brings heart, skill, and uptown swag into every space she enters.

In her first year as a GOGO NYC vocals mentor, Rose has already made a powerful impact. Growing up, she was told a career in the arts wasn’t realistic. Now, as an artist, educator, and mentor, she gets to pour into creative, gifted young people and remind them that their voices, visions, and dreams are worth taking seriously.

For Rose, excellence means not stopping after the first draft. Whether students are writing a song, verse, or poem, she pushes them to revise, receive feedback, and keep going until the work becomes something they can truly be proud of.

Rose embodies what it means to expect excellence with care, culture, and confidence.
Thank you, Rose, for bringing your voice, leadership, and Bronx brilliance to the GOGO family. 🎶

08/17/2026

Early bird pricing ends in two weeks. 🎶
Join Guitars Over Guns Organization for Choose Your Sound: Everybody Dance Now! 90s Gala on October 24, 2026 at the Hilton Downtown Miami.

The night will feature student, mentor, and alumni performances, elevated dining and drinks, an incredible live and silent auction, and a 90s-themed celebration of the young people at the heart of our mission.
Every ticket, table, sponsorship, and bid helps support GOGO’s work creating safe, creative spaces where students can grow through music, mentorship, mental wellness, and the arts.

Festive 90s attire encouraged. Think polished throwback, bold style, and dance-floor energy.
Early bird pricing is only available until September 1. Secure your table or tickets today.

🎟 Get your tickets: http://CYS26.givesmart.com

07/30/2026

Rapid Fire with Bobby “Wonderfull” Cooper! 🎺

Our July and 2025 GOGO Chicago Mentor of the Year shares a little more about his artistry, mentorship, and the energy he brings into every room.

Full of jazz, raised by hip-hop, and simply Wonderfull. 💚🔥

07/24/2026

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Bobby “Wonderfull” Cooper as our July Mentor of the Month. 🎺💚
A multi-instrumentalist, entertainer, educator, and 2025 GOGO Chicago Mentor of the Year, Bobby brings warmth, excellence, and deep care into every space he enters.

With 4+ years of mentorship in Chicago, Bobby supports students through trumpet, vocals, music production, rap, and guitar while always keeping the whole child at the center. He challenges himself and his colleagues to show up with excellence so that young people receive the high-quality mentorship they deserve.

Bobby is full of jazz, raised by hip-hop, and simply Wonderfull. As he shared with us: “Do it afraid, terrified, even hurting. Just do it!”

Thank you, Bobby, for empowering everyone around you and bringing your full self to this work.

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2916 N Miami Avenue #602
Miami, FL
33127

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