Mission
Mission
Honoring The Past, Living The Present, Dreaming The Future
Diaz Music Institute (DMI) honors the past, lives the present, and dreams the future by advancing the education, preservation, and performance of Latinx music.
We create meaningful opportunities for all young people—especially those from Houston neighborhoods with limited access to music programs—to develop their musical talent and pursue future careers in the arts.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, DMI connects students to mentors, ensembles, and professional artists who inspire creativity, discipline, and pride in cultural heritage.
To fulfill this mission, DMI has developed programs that blend artistic excellence with real-world musical training:
Caliente – an award-winning youth ensemble that performs across the nation, representing Houston’s next generation of Latin jazz artists.
After-School Music Program – year-round instruction that helps young musicians strengthen skills and confidence in supportive learning environments.
Summer Music Conservatory – an immersive camp modeled on professional conservatory training, preparing students for higher-level study and performance.
Mentorship & Career Pathways – individualized coaching connecting students with industry professionals to guide artistic growth and professional readiness.
Community Concerts – performances that bring world-class music experiences to Houston’s neighborhoods, celebrating cultural traditions and inspiring community pride.
Our Core Values
The values that drive our work are deeply connected to the experiences and needs of the young people we serve. These values shape not only our programs but also the culture and atmosphere of our organization. Below are the core values that guide everything we do at DMI:
- Education as Empowerment
We believe music education builds far more than musical skill. It nurtures creativity, focus, teamwork, and lifelong confidence. - Mentorship and Professional Growth
We prepare young artists for the world beyond the classroom—helping them gain the insight, discipline, and connections to succeed in the music industry. - Community and Collaboration
Music brings people together. DMI fosters collaboration among students, educators, and community partners, strengthening Houston’s cultural fabric. - Cultural Heritage and Pride
Our work celebrates the richness of Latinx and Afro-Caribbean music and honors the traditions that have shaped American jazz.
We teach students to value where the music comes from and to add their own voices to its future.
History
Established in 2000 by its founder, Jose Antonio Diaz,
Diaz Music Institute (DMI) is a BIPOC-led organization in Houston, TX. The ethnicity of our communities is 70.8 Hispanic, 25.1 African American, 2.0 White, 1.31 Asian, .1 Native American, Pacific Islander .1, Multi-ethnic .71, and .94 other. Over 85% of students in our community come from economically disadvantaged homes. Our workshops target marginalized, at-risk BIPOC students to offer an elite, rigorous, and rewarding learning opportunity. DMI was featured in many television news stories and magazine articles. Our award-winning youth ensemble, “Caliente,” has performed at The Midwest Clinic, Jazz Education Network, and the National Association for Music Education. DMI was recently selected as a Lewis Prize for Music semi-finalist and featured by NEA “American Artscape” magazine as a Hispanic music organization for providing equity and access to the arts for Hispanic/Latinx Communities. Additionally, we received congressional recognition from Sheila Jackson Lee for our work in Houston and partnered with the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation to donate books to every student at Worsham Elementary. With the help of our Houston-based teaching artists, our curriculum has yielded impressive results with our students; some of these accolades include:
- 100% High School graduation.
- Students received over $2,000,000 in scholarships since the establishment of DMI.
- Students have graduated from prestigious schools such as Harvard, Berklee, and the University of Miami.
- Alums have performed with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Tori Kelly, Anita Baker, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, and TD Jakes, to name just a few.
- Alums have won Grammys and a Stellar Artist of the Year Award.
- DMI was selected twice by the National Arts and Humanities Program Award as a finalist.
- Recognized by Texas Monthly Magazine as one of 20 Reasons Texas Music is Bigger and Better Than Ever.
Every aspect of Diaz Music Institute represents a solid Racial Equity Diversity Inclusion policy. From our team to the students and community served, we diligently promote cultural awareness and equitable opportunities for all regardless of race, ethnic group, age, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, mental and physical conditions, and religion.