Nu Deco Ensemble celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday night with a show that proved orchestral music still knows how to move the soul. The I Love Us team was present for the amazing show.
The highlight of the evening was the world premiere of From New Orleans With Love, a new piece composed by Grammy winner and longtime Nu Deco collaborator PJ Morton, alongside Sam Hyken. Vocalists MusiqCity and Sheléa delivered powerhouse performances, blending gospel, R&B, and New Orleans soul into an orchestral arrangement that felt both timeless and fresh.
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Rooted in Morton’s love for his hometown, the piece was an emotional journey through the rhythms, traditions, and spirit of New Orleans. The music danced through the air —joyful, tender, and unforgettable.
The night marked Morton’s second collaboration with Nu Deco Ensemble, following a celebrated holiday performance in 2021. Known for pushing the boundaries of genre, Morton once again proved that storytelling through music transcends categories. His fingerprints were everywhere in the performance: bold, vulnerable, and rich with hometown pride.
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Beyond the music, Nu Deco’s 10th anniversary spotlighted another major part of its mission: building a future where orchestral music belongs to everyone.
Through a range of educational programs, Nu Deco is working to make live music not just accessible, but inviting for young audiences. Programs include free concerts for K-12 students, in-school workshops across Miami-Dade County, a youth ensemble called Nu Deco NXT, and digital resources designed for classrooms around the world. Past collaborations in these programs have included artists like Robert Glasper, Wyclef Jean, Masego, and Tank and the Bangas—redefining what an orchestra can sound like.
It’s a reminder that experiences like this should be the rule, not the exception. “Our kids deserve more than just exposure to live music—they deserve to be part of it. They deserve to learn music hall etiquette, to sit in a velvet seat, and to know orchestras are spaces for them too,” says I Love Us co-founder, Dewey Johnson.
Nu Deco’s Access program is helping bridge that gap by providing free tickets, transportation, and pre-show conversations to communities across Miami. It’s a blueprint for how we keep music alive—not just as entertainment, but as legacy.
When we make space for young people to hear, feel, and create music, we’re filling futures.
Learn more about Nu Deco Ensemble’s education and Access programs at nu-deco.org.
Cover photo: Sheléa and MusiqCity Bring Down the House at Nu Deco Ensemble’s 10th Anniversary / Credit: Sheléa via Instagram
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