11th Annual Choose Your Sound: Forever Young 80s Gala

Proceeds from the event reached nearly $900,000 and will directly fund GUITARS OVER GUNS' programs, including mental wellness, career coaching, and empowering Miami’s underserved youth with arts-based mentorship that drives academic and personal success.

Chad Bernstein (CEO Co-founder), Pat Morris (Mayor's Office), Kevin Perez (Award Winner), Jono De Leon (COO), Antonio Correa (Program Manager), Jeimar Gomez (Mentor)

Guitars Over Guns celebrated its 11th annual Choose Your Sound: Forever Young 80s Gala at the Hilton Miami Downtown. This exciting event featured performances by talented youth mentees, mentors, and alumni, celebrating the impact of music mentorship on the lives of Miami’s youth.

Proceeds from the event reached nearly $900,000 and will directly fund Guitars Over Guns’ programs, including mental wellness, career coaching, and empowering Miami’s underserved youth with arts-based mentorship that drives academic and personal success.

Lynne and Nigel Ross, renowned philanthropists and long-time supporters of Guitars Over Guns, were honored at this year’s gala for their contributions toward launching mental wellness and career development initiatives. Their commitment to youth empowerment and community support has been instrumental in transforming countless lives.

The 2024 Louis Salgar Legacy Award was presented to Kevin Perez. This award is given annually to the Miami student who exemplifies Louis Salgar’s ability to elevate the lives of people around him through his unmistakable passion, uncompromising drive, infectious sense of humor and positive attitude. Kevin recounted joining Guitars Over Guns and not knowing how to play his guitar and his transformation into the lead guitarist of GOGO’s student/alumni band, Atomic Lollipops. Kevin went from having chronic absenteeism to attending daily to be at his Guitars Over Guns sessions to now being in his first year of college.

Adam, Kent (National Board Member), Ben Savage (Presenting Sponsor)
Bob (Co-founder & Board Chair) and Kathy Bernstein, Andrea Virgin, Greg Woulfe
Bob (Co-founder & Board Chair) and Kathy Bernstein, Andrea Virgin, Greg Woulfe
Ben Brod,Saadyah Abrams, Yonathan Yehezkel (National and Miami Board Member)
Aldara Ortega, Jasmine Rahim
Aldara Ortega, Jasmine Rahim
Eric Berke, Liz Ciborowski, Chad Moss (Moss Foundation, Title Sponsor), Shamari Josey, Tim Doughty
Lloyd Hascoe, Michael Rabinowitz
Lloyd Hascoe, Michael Rabinowitz
Isaiah Walker (Career Coach), Lynn and Nigel Ross (2024 Honorees), Chad Bernstein (CEO)
Alex Abreu, Kim Abreu
Alex Abreu, Kim Abreu
Cathy Gordon (Miami Board Member), Lori Mizels
Cathy Gordon (Miami Board Member), Lori Mizels
Joshua and Jenni Coba, Kacey and Jason Goldstein
Brax Tinkler (Director of Advancement), Sarah Feil Lewin (National Board Member), Chad Bernstein (CEO & Co-founder)
Brax Tinkler (Director of Advancement), Sarah Feil Lewin (National Board Member), Chad Bernstein (CEO & Co-founder)
Judge Bronwyn Miller and Brett Graff
Judge Bronwyn Miller and Brett Graff
Michael Berkowitz, Andrew Berkowitz (Miami Board Member) and friends
Claudia Lang, James Oconner
Claudia Lang, James Oconner
Glen Wurm, Benjamin Waxmen
Glen Wurm, Benjamin Waxmen
C Major, GOGO Student Band
Fred Wright, Maria Jose(MJ) Wright (VIP Presenting Partner)
Fred Wright, Maria Jose(MJ) Wright (VIP Presenting Partner)
Gina Rey, Richard Rey
Gina Rey, Richard Rey
Symphony Ballroom at Choose Your Sound Gala