Nu Deco NXT
Nu Deco NXT is open to passionate South Florida student musicians in grades 7–12 who are ready to grow their individual skills, strengthen their ensemble playing, and explore a wide range of styles. Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Auditions are submitted online—just make sure you have a Gmail account to get started.
MIAMI'S NEXT GENERATION TAKES THE STAGE
Nu Deco NXT is a free youth ensemble for Miami-Dade musicians in grades 7–12, offering year-round experiences such as side-by-side performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center, full ensemble rehearsals, composition labs, and career exploration. Spearheaded by Nu Deco Ensemble Co-Founders Sam Hyken and Jacomo Bairos, and led by NXT Director Michelle Skinner, Nu Deco NXT serves as a vital and accessible platform for developing the next generation of resilient and versatile musicians. The ensemble is driven by four core pillars:
21st Century Performance
Performance of Standard Orchestral Repertoire alongside Diverse Musical Genres
Wellness
Mindfulness and Wellness Sessions that Build Performance Resilience Through Mock Auditions and Reflective Practices
Leadership
Student Leaders and Interns, Individualized Mentorship, Public Speaking, and Career Exploration
Musical Creation
Full Ensemble Collaborative Compositions, NXT Writing Cohort, and Composer-in-Residence Program
NXT Spring Intensive
March 22-28
Dennis C. Moss Center
Each season builds toward a weeklong intensive during SPRING BREAK where students engage in immersive rehearsals, creative collaboration, and wellness and leadership activities. Working closely alongside the professional musicians of Nu Deco Ensemble, NXT musicians bring the week to a powerful close with a live performance at the Dennis C. Moss Center on March 28th, showcasing their yearlong artistic growth.
Watch Nu Deco NXT students perform their original composition, Bag of Air, here
2026 Spring Intensive Schedule
Sunday, March 22:
- 12:30 pm – Student & Parent Check In
- Orientation, musical creation, Nu Deco introductions
- 4:30 pm – Event ends
Monday, March 23 – Thursday, March 26:
- 9:00 am – Check-in & Breakfast
- Wellness, musical creation, lunch, rehearsal, sectionals
- 5:00 pm – Student pick up
Friday, March 27:
- 9:00 am – Check-in & Breakfast
- Dress rehearsal, lunch, masterclass, Nu Deco Teaching Artists Q&A panel
- 5:00 pm – Student pick up
Saturday, March 28:
- 9:30 am – Check-in & Breakfast
- Sound check, lunch, prep for concert
- 1:30 pm – Parent/guest arrival
- 2:00-3:30 pm – Concert
Composer in Residence
Isaiah Saranow
Composer and violinist Isaiah Saranow began his musical journey strumming out-of-tune renditions of Beatles songs on his dad’s guitars. After taking up the violin at age six, he discovered his love of classical music and improvisation, and started writing his first compositions. Since then, Isaiah has received commissions and premieres from various artists and ensembles, such as pianist Maria Parrini, Nu Deco NXT, and the YoungArts program, where he was a Winner with Distinction and a Presidential Scholar finalist. His work is eclectic and stylistically variable, often aiming to synthesize his love of classical music history with extra-canonical influences, like folklore, literature, and philosophy. Isaiah currently attends the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Composition, and studies privately with eminent composer and pedagogue Bruce Adolphe.
Support Nu Deco NXT
Interested in supporting our ensemble? We provide Nu Deco NXT free of charge to our young musicians. However, this is only possible with support from advocates for music education. Please consider donating so that we may ensure the education of music’s next generation.
Nu Deco NXT is made possible through the support of The Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation, Albert and Jane Nahmad Family Foundation, Kirk Foundation, Peacock Foundation, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Batchelor Foundation, State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture, and Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council.
