The Night Miami Chose Its Sound: Inside the 2026 Guitars Over Guns Gala

There are fundraisers, and then there are nights that actually feel like the mission is in the room. Choose Your Sound was the second kind.

On Saturday, October 24th, the Hilton Miami Downtown turned into a full 90s throwback for Guitars Over Guns, the Miami nonprofit empowering youth through music, mentorship, and the arts. Boomboxes, neon, “Everybody Dance Now” on the screens, and performances from students, mentors, and alumni. The theme was fun, but nobody in that room forgot why we were there.

It was an honor to serve on the planning committee as the PR Chair for this one, and I’ll be honest, the work didn’t feel like work. When you believe in what a room is raising money for, the pitch writes itself.

The night itself

The room went all in on the theme, from the guests in full 90s looks to the Guitars Over Guns light-up centerpieces on every table. Andre “Add-2” Daniels led the young musicians through their performances, including “Better Believe,” and kept the whole ballroom moving. The night also honored Sarah Feil Lewin as the evening’s main honoree.

But the moment that quieted the room was Jeffrey Gerald, this year’s Student of the Year. A GOGO graduate now heading into his freshman year at Berklee College of Music, Jeffrey put into words exactly why everyone was there, and you could feel the whole room lean in. It was the kind of moment that reminds you the gala isn’t the point. The kids are.

Watching the mentees stand up on that stage is the thing that stays with you. That’s the whole point of GOGO made real, right in front of you. The impact isn’t abstract. It’s a kid with an instrument in their hands and someone in their corner.

Getting to meet and connect with Chad Bernstein, GOGO’s CEO and co-founder, was a highlight too. These are the kinds of nights where the people you meet matter as much as the moments, and this room was full of both.

One of my favorite moments of the night was getting to showcase the Dolly Parton piece in the live auction. A signed tribute to a true legend, going up for a cause this good. It was so exciting to be part of it, and the whole auction kept the energy high with collector pieces going straight toward the mission.

Behind the scenes

A night like this doesn’t just happen, and a big part of my role was pulling the right people and partners together to give it reach. I partnered with @Gimme.Miami on a ticket giveaway to get more of the city paying attention before the doors even opened. The goal was simple: more eyes on the mission, more momentum behind the kids.

Getting the right press in the room is a big part of what I do, and for this one I brought in Miami New Times to do a recap and an interview with Jeffrey and his mentor, J Howard.

Why it mattered

Miami loves a beautiful event, and this was one. But the reason this night is worth writing about is what it funds. Every dollar in that room goes toward keeping kids mentored, creating, and on the path they choose for themselves.