Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zach Larmer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zach, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

Young Musicians Unite (YMU) began with a powerful vision set by our founder, Sammy Gonzalez, who believed in the transformative power of music in young people’s lives. When I joined YMU, we were serving just 65 students, but we knew the potential for growth was immense. The journey from that point to now—where we work with 9,000 students weekly—was far from an overnight success. It required years of strategic planning, adaptability, and relentless commitment to our mission.

Our early growth was fueled by grassroots support from individual donors, community-driven events, and partnerships with key advocates of our mission. Long-term collaborations with leaders like Dan Lewis and his Arts Access project, coupled with multi-year grants from organizations like The Children’s Trust, provided the critical foundation to scale. Meaningful partnerships with renowned brands such as Gibson and Fender, who made significant equipment donations, also gave us the resources needed to grow.

One key differentiator in YMU’s journey was our focus on becoming Miami’s only in-school provider of free music education for grades 5-12. This commitment to accessibility set us apart from other organizations and allowed us to build deep, lasting relationships with schools, ensuring that our programs reached students who otherwise wouldn’t have access to music education. This singular focus on free, in-school programming has been at the core of our expansion into underserved areas, such as South Dade, where we launched in 16 new schools just this year.

A major contributor to our success has been the infrastructure we built to ensure sustainability and high-quality program delivery. We developed a comprehensive teacher training system with scorecards, rubrics, and support for state certification, which allowed us to maintain a consistent standard of excellence across every school we serve. Our exceptional programs team operates with a continuous feedback loop, always refining our approach to meet the evolving needs of the students and schools we partner with.

As YMU grew, we also developed an additional arm of the organization focused on large-scale events, which became integral to our marketing and fundraising efforts. Our annual gala, for instance, now generates over $1 million, and the performances we feature have become a key element in showcasing the impact of our work. These events are far more than just fundraisers—they’re our opportunity to demonstrate the profound effect music has on the students we serve, and they play a vital role in maintaining our connection with the community.

The twists and turns along the way—the growing pains of scaling, the constant balancing act of managing rapid expansion while ensuring quality, and the inevitable mistakes—have all been part of the learning process. But through it all, we’ve remained committed to our mission: providing free, high-quality music education that changes lives, one student at a time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing drums at age six and later discovered my love for the guitar in high school. That passion led me to pursue a degree in jazz guitar performance at the University of Miami, where I immersed myself in every aspect of the music world—performing, composing, touring, teaching, and managing recording studios. These experiences shaped my understanding of music as both a craft and a tool for connection, but it was when I met Sammy Gonzalez, the founder of Young Musicians Unite (YMU), that I saw an opportunity to create lasting change.

Sammy and I shared a vision for how music could transform the lives of young people, particularly those in underserved communities. I joined him at YMU, and together, we’ve grown the organization from serving 65 students to working with more than 9,000 students weekly. Along the way, I’ve learned valuable lessons about leadership, nonprofit management, and community building. Sammy has been a true partner in this journey, and we’ve gone on to launch other projects together, solidifying our commitment to Miami’s future and the students we serve.

At YMU, we provide free, in-school music education to students who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities. By partnering with Title I public schools, we ensure that students in underserved areas can benefit from music education without financial barriers. What sets us apart is our dedication to delivering this education within schools, free of charge—something that’s rare in our region. This accessibility is at the core of everything we do and has allowed us to build deep, impactful relationships with schools and communities across Miami.

In addition to our in-school programs, we’ve developed a robust afterschool program for students who are excelling and ready for a greater challenge. These students form performing ensembles and participate in over 200 performances a year, honing their skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. We’ve created a space where talented young musicians can thrive, surrounded by peers who share their passion and drive.

We also offer the YMU Studio, a multimedia creative space open to youth at no cost. The studio provides students with access to high-quality recording and production equipment, allowing them to explore music, podcasting, video production, and more. It’s an invaluable resource for young creatives looking to develop their skills in a professional setting. All of this—whether it’s the in-school programs, afterschool ensembles, or studio access—is provided completely free to our students.

YMU is Miami’s largest music education non-profit, and the only provider of free music education grades 5-12.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had over the years. Since YMU began, we’ve reached more than 25,000 students, many of whom have gone on to study music in college, build careers in the music industry, or apply the skills they’ve gained in other areas of their lives. Watching these students grow, both musically and personally, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Beyond music, we’re equipping students with essential life skills—discipline, teamwork, and creativity—that will help them succeed in any field they choose. Whether they continue in music or not, they leave YMU with tools that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

I want people to know that YMU is about more than music. We’re building community, fostering relationships, and providing young people with the opportunities they need to thrive. We’re addressing the critical issue of access to quality music education, and we’re proud to be leading the charge in ensuring that all students—regardless of their background—can experience the transformative power of music.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

It was through mutual circles that I met Sammy Gonzalez, the founder of Young Musicians Unite (YMU). A mutual friend, who was also a YMU board member, connected us, and after sitting down for a conversation, we immediately realized we shared the same vision. We were both passionate about arts education and wanted to grow Miami’s creative infrastructure. In many ways, we were two sides of the same coin—Sammy came from a classical guitar background, while I came from jazz. Both of us had been running educational ventures and recording studios, and it became clear that our combined efforts could create something really impactful.

After that initial conversation, I didn’t hear from Sammy for a few weeks. As it turns out, he had hired someone else at the time, but the situation wasn’t working out. We bumped into each other again at a music festival, and he asked if I’d be willing to come on board. He let the other person go, and we officially teamed up. From there, we built a real partnership and grew YMU from a small team of two to a thriving organization with over 100 people. That initial connection has evolved into one of the most meaningful collaborations of my career, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My approach to management and entrepreneurship has been shaped by a combination of books, mental frameworks, and mentorship.

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins was pivotal in helping me understand the importance of properly marrying people and strategy for long-term success. I also enjoyed “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz, which provides a brutally honest look at the challenges of leadership. Horowitz’s advice has been helpful for navigating the tough decisions that come with scaling an organization like YMU.

In terms of daily management, I rely on frameworks like the RACI Matrix for role assignment to ensure clarity in team responsibilities. Sam Corcos’ article on “Organizational Entropy” has also given me new perspective on what it takes to keep an organization running smoothly. I’m also working through the EOS series.

Lastly, 1-on-1 mentorships have been one of the most impactful aspects of my development. Meeting with experienced leaders a few times a year has given me fresh perspectives and practical advice that I’ve been able to apply directly to my work at YMU. These mentors have provided invaluable guidance as I navigate the complexities of running a growing organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youngmusiciansunite.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngmusiciansunite/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngmusiciansunite/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/youngmusiciansunite

Image Credits

Courtesy of: YMU