AQUA MIAMI
RIDING THE (BEAT) WAVE
MUSIC PRODUCER
BRANDON SHANE TOLEDO
CURATING COMMUNITY
MARKETING EXPERT KATHLEEN NAVARRO
PONCE PARK
INTIMATE BY DESIGN
Now Leasing
Nestled along the tree-lined streets of Coral Gables, Ponce Park presents an intimate collection of 58 residences, ranging from two to ve bedrooms. Each home is curated by the acclaimed Meyer Davis, blending contemporary luxury with classic charm to create a re ned sense of place.
Project Address: 3000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Sales Gallery: 203 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Michael J. Martinez
ADOWNWARD DOG DAYS
ANYONE WHO believes you need drifts of accumulated snow to hibernate has never experienced a South Florida summer. According to various weather services, the average July temperature in Miami is somewhere in the high 80s to low 90s—and that honestly seems low? And if you’re not looking to escape the heat, you’re putting on your amateur meteorologist cap to try to time the sudden intermittent downpour.
That doesn’t mean we stay completely put—we’re just a lot more intentional about our adventures. Which makes summer a great opportunity in Miami for reconsidering our priorities and establishing new habits.
A few years ago, I asked vocalist Chaka Malik of the seminal New York City
post-hardcore bands Orange 9mm and Burn about the late 80s/early 90s music scene in that city, and what he said feels relevant here: “[The legendary rock club] CBGBs was one of the hottest places I’ve ever been,” Malik replied. “Around the time I was really there a lot I also worked at a store called Prana Foods. Prana, that’s the light within the breath, right? A lot of people that get involved with yoga access it through the asana poses and relaxation, they end up getting more pranic energy into their body. You can also find it through exercise, through meditation. And I think that the inside of that literal pressure cooker, CBGBs at that time—the way energy was activated and nourished and channeled in there—was pranic. It brought things to a boil, which, in my opinion, created fertile ground for very unique music, whether you’re talking about Cro-Mags or Quicksand or the Beastie Boys.
“[I]nside that CBGB pressure cooker, people caught the energy and spirit and shaped it in their own ways,” he continued. “And it was beautiful and powerful. If you’re not listening to what the energy and the spirit of the people are saying, you’re missing the point, right?”
Are you listening to what the energy of our own South Florida boil is telling you? Are you ready to engage the heat to the point where you can access your pranic energy and fulfill your highest potential? It’s free and there for the taking!
Shawn Macomber Editor
@aqua_miami_mag aquamiamimag.com
Advertising Director
Daisy Abreu daisy.abreu@wainscotmedia.com
Creative Director Kijoo Kim
Editor
Shawn Macomber shawn.macomber@wainscotmedia.com
Contributors
Gerry Barker
Magnolia Orli Suzan McDowell
Photographer April Nicole
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO Mark Dowden
SVP, Group Publisher
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan
Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle
Art Director Rosemary O’Connell
Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director
Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
Have a story idea?
Email the editor: Shawn.Macomber@wainscotmedia.com
AQUA Miami magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Pinecrest and surrounding areas of South Florida, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
www.sanctuaryofthearts.org
Undeterred by the challenges the arts community has been facing, our season unfolds across a spectrum of experiences ~ productions for all ages, groundbreaking dance, powerful music, thought-provoking conversations, and site-specific works that close the gap between art and audiences.
From global collaborations to intimate gatherings, our stages and spaces celebrate creativity in its many forms ~ led by artists, inspired by community, and driven by innovation.
Sanctuary of the Arts is your "go-to” place for the best in entertainment! Come and enjoy global, national, and local renowned and award-winning artists!
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS ST. MARY CAMPUS 410 ANDALUSIA AVENUE, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 136 FROW AVENUE, CORAL GABLES, FL 33133 @sanctuaryofthearts
LYDIA HARRISON
Coconut Lime Cake
Lean into summer with a little something sweet.
BURSTING WITH fresh lime, this Coconut-Soaked Lime Cake is the perfect warm weather dessert. Each slice is lightly infused with a creamy coconut soak that seeps into the crumb, then topped with a soft, pillowy coconut whipped cream. It’s bright, tropical, and perfectly balanced, not too sweet, just irresistibly fresh making it the kind of easy summer bake you’ll come back to again and again.
Coconut Lime Cake
Serves: 12
Prep time: 60 minutes
Bake time: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
For the Lime Cake
• 1 ¾ cups (225 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cup (250 grams) baker’s sugar
• Zest of 3 limes
• 1½ cup (112 grams) unsalted butter, room temp
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60 grams) lime juice
• ½ can full fat coconut milk
For the coconut soak:
• Zest of 1 lime
• ½ can full fat coconut milk
• ½ can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ teaspoon coconut extract
For the whipped coconut:
• 2 cups (480 grams) heavy whipping cream, cold
• ½ can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ teaspoon coconut extract
• Sweetened coconut flakes, for topping
• Zest of 1 lime
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a large mixing bowl add the sugar and zest of 3 limes then use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar to release the oils for more flavor.
2. Next add the butter and mix until creamy and well combined, then mix in the eggs until completely smooth.
3. Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt and gently fold them until almost combined, then pour in the lime juice and ½ can of coconut milk and continue folding until smooth and well fully combined.
4. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until evenly baked and golden.
5. While the cake bakes, make the coconut soak by combining the remaining coconut milk and 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk and zest of 1 lime. Use a fork or whisk to beat until smooth and fluid.
6. When the cake is fresh from the oven, use a skewer or fork to prick holes all throughout the cake then pour the coconut soak evenly over the cake gently letting it sink in. Transfer to the fridge for about 1 hour to cool completely before topping
COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM:
1. Whip the heavy cream until it starts to thicken, then pour in the rest of the can of sweetened condensed milk and whip until it reaches soft peaks.
2. Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cake then finish with coconut flakes and zest of 1 lime.
3. Slice into 12 generous portions and enjoy
Your Hidden Superpower
A MURALIST. A wall. And a question so simple it stopped OneUnited Bank owner Teri Williams cold.
In 2015, Addonis Parker was ready to paint a mural across the façade of the bank’s Miami branch when Teri gave him something rare: total creative freedom. She wanted the “authentic urban experience.” Shocked at the unexpected liberty, he asked: “Where did you come from?”
Teri delivered her usual highlight reel—“from Indiantown, Florida to Brown on a full scholarship, then Bank of America, then Harvard Business School graduating with
On the new show Who’s Your Ma Honey? high-profile guests trace their successes back to an unexpected origin—facing and overcoming “undeserved shame.”
BY SUZAN MCDOWELL
honors, then American Express’ youngest VP, under the mentorship of the legendary Ken Chenault. She and her husband later acquired four banks in Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami, rolled them into OneUnited—an awardwinning CDFI and the largest Black-owned bank in the nation.” That was her standard soliloquy. Addonis shook his head. Not it. Not the answer he was looking for.
After a few times of repeating the same story, she stopped sharing her resume and sat with his question. The instant aha! moment led her to Ma Honey—her great-grandmother, an
enterprising widow in the Jim Crow South, who ran a penny candy store, a juke joint, a BBQ pit and a portfolio of rental properties. Basically, she ran a compound of businesses. As a little girl, Teri trailed her everywhere, absorbing the rhythms of business by pure osmosis, years before any Ivy League lecture hall.
Ma Honey was her superpower! And for most of her life, Teri, steeped in the orbit of modern accomplishments, had been quietly ashamed of her. She had been giving credit for her success to the Ivy League that never truly accepted her.
THE SHAME WE CARRY
Ten years later, after that fateful question, she shared her origin story publicly and something unexpected happened: People responded with their own stories. The thing they were most ashamed of, story after story, was the very thing that made them extraordinary. Teri called it “undeserved shame”—the monkey other people try to put on our backs, like the sudden alienation she felt when she left Indiantown for Brown.
The Who’s Your Ma Honey? Show launched May 2026 with ten beautifully produced episodes. The premise is deceptively simple—high-profile guests peel back the curated version of themselves and trace their success to the shame they carried. MiamiDade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson were among the first season guests. Neither is known for public vulnerability, yet both shared their undeserved shame and became vulnerable in front of our eyes.
Immediately Who’s Your Ma Honey? made noise in the right rooms. An exclusive feature in Fortune Magazine and a national appearance on NBC News Now for this little show, soon to be a big show about shame which arrived without apology.
Opposite:
Who’s Your Ma Honey? sits down with U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. This page, left: Hosts Teri Williams and Suzan McDowell, also known as “The Honeys.”
Below: Live from the Hive with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
STEPPING UP
When Teri asked me to be her co-host, I almost said no. I was terrified to talk about my angst in front of cameras, colleagues, and future forever online uncertainty. I’m glad I said yes. As it turns out, my personal story fits the show’s thesis.
I am a successful Jamerican-born entrepreneur with an American homecoming queen for a mom who gave me a love of Spanish and great legs, and a brilliant and accomplished Jamaican dad who was one of Jamaica’s most celebrated dentists of his time.
Born in Jamaica, at the age of 11, I went to Texas for a short Christmas visit and was taken in by my American family, never to return to my lovely daily life in Jamaica.
I quickly learned that being Black in America was a human category, a conversation, and a conflict that I had no language for at such a tender age. Race was something I had never once thought about in Jamaica; I never had to—but it was all everyone in America talked about, even as kids. That was the loneliest kind of confusion—a total loss of footing, belonging, familiarity, and my comfortable little girl life in Jamaica.
My family, my friends, my leaders, my teachers, and the family who lived next door. Everyone in my life was mostly Black. That was my world, and I belonged without thinking. Life in America was a rude awakening.
You see, I am Black, proudly, but in Jamaica, being Black is not “a thing.” Nobody is focused on or discussing being Black. The island is more than 90% Black, so our skin color is assumed, not a human category. We are bound by our country, not our color. With that, Jamaicans, and most Carribenos, are unburdened by race and its limitations.
That experience and tension of toggling between worlds and racial structure is my Ma Honey story. That lifelong experience is my shame. Turns out, my forced cultural American fluency and internal “Jamerican” duality are the source of my superpower. I am successful in marketing, because of this tension, not despite it - especially in Miami - because I can speak both cultural “languages” and able to effectively market to both consumers. I can speak Jamaican
AQUA SOUL
and I can speak Black American. What I was undeservedly ashamed of was truly my superpower and source of my success.
The Who’s Your Ma Honey show is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spotify, Audible, and everywhere podcasts are found. More information can be found at oneunited.com/honey.
Born Jamerican, Suzan McDowell is the Founder, President & CEO of Circle of One Marketing, a vibrant and influential Miami based minority owned full-service marketing agency founded in 2001, with expertise in African American and Caribbean consumer markets.
The Who’s Your Ma Honey? show launched in May 2026 with Miami powerhouses Suzan McDowell, President and CEO, Circle of One Marketing, and Teri Willliams, President and Owner, OneUnited Bank.
Curating Community
Influencer and digital marketing superstar Kathleen Navarro sets her sights on building safe spaces for Miami women to connect and feel empowered.
BY SHAWN MACOMBER
“FOR AS LONG I can remember,” Kathleen Navarro tells AQUA Miami, “I have always been a curious Kat—pun intended.”
Once upon a time, this abundance of inquisitiveness and refusal to simply “go along to get along” got Navarro in trouble with schoolteachers and other authority figures. (The sly, mischievous smile with which she shares these memories suggests that certain kinds of trouble are not always an altogether unsought-after or unpleasant experience for her.) Over the years, however, she has embraced this side of herself, learning to channel it into ways that have empowered her own
remarkable polymath life and career—while empowering countless women around her.
“Today,” she says, “I use my curiosity as a driving force to try new things without fear or expectation of a certain outcome.”
And so, despite a very bustling schedule as a successful digital marketer and influencer elevating the profiles of major wellness, beauty, and hospitality brands, Navarro has recently turned her sights—and considerable charisma—on producing curated, stylish community-building events for women around Miami ranging from vision board creation parties and pottery classes to a haute couture sustainable Earth Month clothing
swap event featuring Alo, YSL, Lululemon, Free People, and more in which the leftover pieces were donated Lotus House, the largest women’s shelter in the country.
“These are spaces for women to connect, feel inspired, and pour back into themselves alongside other like-minded women.” Navarro says. “If you’ve been feeling stuck, sad, or discouraged lately, come as you are and see how reignited you feel.” She adds: “Women are power. When we treat the women of our world with grace, believe in them, and give them a platform to share their passions and skills, we are all better off.”
A BIG VISION
For Navarro, this project is considerably bigger than addressing a need in the Miami area—she wants, in her own unique way, to meet our unprecedented cultural moment. “In the age of all things digital and AI, I was craving more human connection,” she says. “No feeling compares to interacting and connecting with someone in person. Working in marketing can be quite a bit of staring at a screen so creating a safe space for women to connect and feel empowered was a no-brainer. Hosting these events fuels my soul, and I’m able to show up even brighter in every other area of my life. My hope is that the women who attend are just impa cted by the events as I am by their presence.”
Apparently, Navarro is not the only one craving more human connection: Not only do her events sell out, but—more importantly—they kindle real camaraderie and positivity. “Attendees waste no time
in introducing themselves to one another, and that really inspires me,” Navarro says. “At each event, we have all related to one another in how isolated we have found ourselves feeling at one point or another in the past few years. Like anything, there is a feeling of nervousness when you’re doing something new—to you—but with each event we reach more and more women, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
Of course, Navarro’s events are not only exercises in right-sizing sociological trends and subtextual philosophy. Each is very much a for-women-by-women affair. “I love spoiling the women with all kinds of goodies from sponsors and partners,” she says. “My love language is gift-giving, so if I can help a brand or small business promote their product or service while showing the women who attend love, I will take that opportunity gladly!”
It is, Navarro has discovered, a two-way street: “There is never enough time! It has
surprised me just how many small details there are to really elevate an event. Having women who believe in the mission behind these events has saved me each time.”
The process has changed how Navarro looks at life and business. “Each season brings new lessons and new growth, but I have always tried to express authenticity in anything I’ve done,” she says. “We are all a product of each experience we’ve had with one another, so I thank anyone who has ever trusted me to work with them… Each event I’ve hosted attracts more women to the community. I will continue to nurture these spaces and provide value to attendees, brands, and businesses involved. Organic reach is what I’m after.
“There is no impact too small,” she continues. “Every interaction with another person creates change. I have learned—or, rather, re-discovered—my power.”
For more information, follow Navarro on Instagram at @kathleensaraiii.
Suggested Spots for Jazz & Bites
Looking to add some swing to your dinner plans? This diverse roster of restaurants offers great food and stellar jazz that will keep your toes tapping and mouth watering.
CORAL GABLES
Armstrong Jazz House
271 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables 305-488-9955 armstrongjazzhouse.com
The Globe 377 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables 305-445-3555 theglobecafe.com
Coral Way
The Gibson Room 2224 SW 22nd Street, Miami 305-570-4311 thegibsonroommiami.com
Design District
Jass Kitchen Turkish Cuisine 190 NE 46th Street, Miami 305-603-8748 jasskitchenmiami.com
DOWNTOWN
The Corner 1035 N. Miami Avenue, Miami thecornermiami.com
Soya E Pomodoro 120 NE 1st Street, Miami 305-381-9511 soyaepomodoro.com
The Sylvester 3456 N. Miami Avenue, Miami 305-364-5635 thesylvesterbar.com
LITTLE HAITI
Churchill’s Pub 5501 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami 305-757-1807 churchillspub.com
Vice City Kava 333 NE 59th Terrace, Miami vicecitykava.com
LITTLE HAVANA
Ball & Chain 1513 SW Eighth Street, Miami 305-643-7820 ballandchainmiami.com
MIAMI BEACH
Medium Cool 1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305-704-3600
mediumcool.miami
The Betsy 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach thebetsyhotel.com
SUNSET
Backroom Live! At The Fish House 10000 SW 56TH Street, Miami 305-595-8453
thefishhouse.com
WYNWOOD
Lagniappe House 3425 NE Second Avenue, Miami 305-576-0108
lagniappehouse.com
Savage Labs Wynwood 2451 NW 5th Avenue, Miami @savagelabswynwood
Sha Wynwood 97 NW 25th Street, Miami 305-204-0694
shawynwood.com
“Life is a lot like jazz... it’s best when you improvise” — George Gershwin. Top left: Old school elegance at The Globe. Top right and above: The Sylvester serves up unique reinterpretations and chic, fun style.
INTIMATE
DESIGN
Ponce Park redefines boutique luxury living in Coral Gables.
iIN THE HEART of Coral Gables, a new residential landmark is taking shape, bringing together architectural heritage, contemporary design, and a deeply considered approach to materiality and lifestyle. Ponce Park Residences by Allen Morris Company introduces a boutique residential concept defined as much by its craftsmanship as by its scale, positioning itself as one of the most distinctive new developments in South Florida.
WHERE PROVENANCE SHAPES PLACE
Rising 11 stories at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and University Drive, the project is composed of just 58 bespoke residences, offering a rare sense of intimacy in today’s luxury market. Homes range from expansive two- to five-bedroom layouts, from approximately 1,900 to over 6,500 square feet, including a limited collection of penthouses designed with privacy, proportion, and flow in mind.
Each residence is conceived as a seamless extension of its surroundings. Private elevators with double-door entry open into the homes, where 11- to 12-foot ceilings and expansive terraces with summer kitchens dissolve the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, reflecting a distinctly South Florida way of life.
Interiors by Meyer Davis Studio introduce a warm, layered aesthetic rooted in Mediterranean modernism, balancing European influence with natural textures, soft neutral palettes, and integrated smarthome technology. Architecture by John Cunningham of Zyscovich draws from Coral Gables’ Mediterranean heritage, reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens that feels both timeless and contextual.
INTENTIONAL DESIGN
At the core of Ponce Park is an exceptional focus on material provenance and craftsmanship. The design narrative extends beyond aesthetics into origin, with Allen Morris Company sourcing stone directly from Italy. In Tivoli, travertine selected from quarries with more than 2,000 years of history, once used in the Colosseum, will define the building’s base and key architectural moments, introducing warmth and permanence to the structure.
In the Apuan Alps, Calacatta Borghini marble, among the rarest in the world, has been hand-selected for kitchen countertops within the residences. With its luminous white surface and dramatic veining, each slab brings a sense of individuality to every home, reinforcing the idea that no two residences are exactly alike.
Together, these materials establish a design language rooted in lineage and permanence, where origin becomes part of the architectural expression. The interiors extend this philosophy through a cohesive palette of stone, oak, bronze, plaster, and natural textiles, creating a sense of continuity across all spaces.
Beyond the residences, Ponce Park unfolds as a complete lifestyle environment. Amenities include a rooftop pool, spa, fitness studio, meditation courtyard, sky bar, and a private rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Southeast Gables. At street level, 22,000 square feet of curated retail brings cafés, dining, and daily conveniences into direct connection with the building, linking seamlessly to The Plaza Coral Gables and Miracle Mile.
The development also reinforces its relationship with the surrounding community, with $10+ million toward improvements to the adjacent Ponce Circle Park, extending its vision beyond architecture into public space enhancement.
Ultimately, Ponce Park defines a quieter, more intentional form of luxury living, one shaped by material honesty, architectural restraint, and a strong sense of place. It is a project where design is not only seen but sourced, studied, and experienced at every level.
For more information, visit poncepark.com. Contact: info@ poncepark.com. 786-589-7613.
RIDING THE (BEAT) WAVE
Meet local musician and producer Brandon Shane Toledo, who is helping turn global audiences’ attention to the local Miami music scene.
BY MAGNOLIA ORLI
hHIS NAME IS Brandon Shane Toledo, but devotees of the 305 music scene know him better as Miami Beat Wave, a multi-genre chameleon and cornerstone of the Magic City sound with three Billboard-charting projects under his belt, multiple entries on the international German Dance Charts, and a No. 2 spot on the iTunes R&B charts with his album Up Close & Personal. He’s cooked in the studio with everyone from local legends such as ¡MAYDAY!, David Correy, and DJ EFN to heavyweight icons like Rick Ross and Stic.man of Dead Prez.
“I’m an only child raised by my mother,” Toledo tells AQUA Miami. “There is no father to my style. Shout-out to Ol’ Dirty Bastard. I’ve produced and recorded everything from rock, hip-hop, heavy metal, gospel, R&B, soul, and blues…I produce for artists and write for them, which comes from my own life experiences combined with relating to their life experiences. I’m not one of those producers who pushes exactly what I want
on an artist; I guide the artist to be their most vulnerable self to make the best song.”
As you will see from our recent conversation, Miami Beat Wave brings a completely distinct sound and attitude to the table—a contribution that goes far beyond mere technicality or turning knobs. Toledo contributes to the actual soul and culture of the city.
I know that your grandmother was a major inspiration and guide to you, but how did your physical environment and childhood community shape your musical development?
Well, I grew up as a child who was introduced to gospel and hip hop first, and started breakdancing at a skating rink called Hot Wheels in Miami around fourth grade. The elements of hip hop were all around me, including graffiti and breaking, introduced to me by my best friend and now revered painter, Johnny Robles. After that phase in
my life, I got into music theory by joining the orchestra in my middle school band. I played flute, which for a boy wasn’t the coolest, but nowadays is super cool because artists such as Future use it in their beats. I was taught by a band director who was very harsh and strict, which pretty much made me the perfectionist I am now. After this time, I stopped music for a while until I built my own studio in my room during high school. I had a home studio where I would record rappers around my neighborhood and started making hip-hop beats and recording rock bands, crafting my skill. I was in love with the dirty, edgy, and grimy sound of Wu-Tang. At this time, I was basically always in the streets with my homies and headphones on, or in my bedroom perfecting chopping up samples on my sampler.
How does your approach differ when you are wearing the “producer” hat versus the “musician” hat?
As a producer, I will take full control if it’s for my own project and execute the idea in my head as much as I can with the artist I’m working with. Meaning, I’m composing the music, recording the melodies, working with the singer or rapper, vocal-producing it, and then, at the end, handling post-production mixing and mastering. If I’m being hired just to be a recording or mixing engineer, I will be solely focused on making the sound recording the best it can be quality-wise.
I saw a video on your profile that inspired me to have this interview with you. One of the Chilli Guys calling you “a legend in Miami.” Is that kind of praise gratifying to hear?
I can’t ever comment too much on what others think of me or see me as. I just simply make music and try to bring out the best in every artist and band I work with. The Chilli Guys are amazing, and I’m humbled by their praise. Yes, it’s true, I’ve worked with pretty much all the
artists in Miami, and my sound and hands have touched most of the records you’ve heard out of the 305 over the last 20 years.
Have you found your creative community in Miami?
It’s a difficult topic because it is very cliqued up and sometimes can feel like crabs in a bucket, meaning everyone is trying to climb to the top but pulling each other down in the process. I stay away from that and just do my job. I am my own entity; therefore, I have been able to work with everyone in the city without a biased opinion.
When collaborating, is your creative fingerprint equally present with established artists as it is with newcomers? Is it something you feel out, or is it like a sixth sense?
Most artists will say that anything I touch, whether it be engineering-wise or production-wise, has my sound on it. I can’t help but put myself into the song. Meaning, if someone comes to me with a beat from someone else, I still produce them as a recording engineer. I comp takes, I give harmony advice, do drops and filters in the
beat, etc. I take a song from start to finish; I’m there for the whole process. Making the music, recording, vocal arrangement, concept of the song, speaking to the artist sometimes as a therapist to see what’s going on in their life so we write what they are feeling at the same time. Then after that, taking that body of work and perfecting it with post-production, mixing, tuning, entire song arrangement, adding live instrumentation, and then finally mastering. As far as a sixth sense, I just create in a flow state and let the world and fans hopefully relate to the human experience I’m trying to give them through a musical journey.
Can you tell us about your latest project?
My latest solo project is called Shane, which is actually my middle name. It’s a soul/blues album. The message was to get across that Miami has more substance in songwriting than just party music. We have down-south stories as well. I work on a ton of projects, though and have work coming out constantly because of being a well-rounded producer. So you’ll catch a ton of my soul on different genres all around.
When we look at the impact of a producer, there’s a big difference between the subtle, structural refinements of George Martin and the symphonic layering that Jeff Lynne brought to his collaborations. Do you see yourself as the invisible hand like Martin? Or the distinct architect like Lynne?
I see you did your research on my favorite band! This question actually made me go back and forth in my head. Yes, Abbey Road is one of my top favorite albums, and George Martin was huge in the making of it, but I have two sides to this coin you’ve presented. Producers who are hands-on, like myself, take it from start to finish and do whatever needs to be done. If they can’t finish the bridge, a hands-on producer will go and play the idea for them; if they can’t figure out the lyric, same thing. Another type of producer, I won’t say any names, could say, “I just have the ear for when it’s wrong or when it’s right,” but give no answers on how to fix it…which sounds a little bit more like a critic. Some say they
bring the sound and artist together. All different approaches. What works for some might not work for others, so I would never throw shade. I take my ego out of it and want to make the best song possible for the artist. If the composition needs to be made or fixed, then I do that; if the lyrics need changing, then I work on that. After that, I record, mix, and master, so I’m very much in control of the whole production if that’s what I’m hired to do.
Where is your sound headed?
I have no idea. I make my music off of my life experiences—and I haven’t lived my future yet. So, songwriting-wise, I’m not sure, but I’m excited to experience it. Technology-wise, that part we will experience soon. I will still always keep the soul and human aspect in the music while still adapting and using the new tools the tech brings along. I know everyone wants me to speak on AI here, but I’ll just leave it at that!
Follow Miami Beat Wave on Instagram at @miamibeatwave.
Membership has its Privileges
Our intrepid travel columnist hits the high seas to rate Mediterranean Shipping Company’s luxury Yacht Club.
BY GERRY BARKER
IN 2008, Italian-owned, Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) debuted its luxury Yacht Club on MSC Fantasia.
The goal? To provide a high-end, personalized “ship-within-a-ship” experience for guests who didn’t mind paying extra to be pampered virtually 24/7 with exclusive amenities and services.
Today, the Yacht Club has become an integral feature across MSC’s fleet of 23 ships: Its 100-plus luxury suites routinely sell out months in advance despite a premium that adds several thousand dollars to regular fares. Is it worth it? My own personal first mate, Pam, and I had an opportunity to find out during a recent sailing on MSC Grandiosa, departing from Port Canaveral.
ALL-STAR LUXURY
The benefits of staying in the Yacht Club begin with the boarding process. MSC Grandiosa falls into the category of “mega ships.” It’s a 19-deck behemoth, some 20 stories high, that can accommodate over 6,000 passengers and 1,700 crew. As you might imagine, boarding that many people can be daunting.
Not so if you’re in the Yacht Club, who enjoy a special entrance and are escorted aboard by formally attired Yacht Club crew, passing lines that seem to go on forever, to a private waiting area where drinks and light snacks are available while they relax. Pam and I are issued a Yacht Club wristband that gives you access to the club area and your stateroom. Okay—we’re liking this already.
The first thing to know once up in the Yacht Club—which occupies floors 14 through 19 at the bow of the ship—is that every suite has its own butler, available around the clock. Typically, the idea of your own butler takes some adjustment, especially for Americans who are used to doing everything for themselves. But it didn’t take long to appreciate having Mark, our senior butler, and Kelly, his assistant, taking care of our needs and doing so without being in the least intrusive.
After extolling the features of our deluxe balcony suite, Mark wrote out a list of the shows and specialty restaurants we had reserved, explaining he would lead us personally to any and all that piqued our interest. He made sure our minibar was stocked with our favorite beverages, and every
afternoon delivered sweet and savory canapes. Once settled in, we set out to explore the rest of the Yacht Club.
We share the eighteenth deck with the Yacht Club Restaurant, elegantly appointed and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One deck below, deck 16, is the Top Sail Lounge, open daily until 1:00 a.m. and boasting a full bar, live music nightly and light bites throughout day. (Wait…shouldn’t that be deck 17, you ask? Well, no: it happens that 17 is considered an unlucky number in Italy, so there is no deck 17 on any MSC vessel.) Both the lounge and the restaurant are fronted by a panoramic wall of glass, affording magnificent views and spectacular sunsets at sea.
Deck 19 is where you’ll find the Sun Deck, with its own pool and hot tub, plus the Yacht
Club Bar and Grill, serving buffet breakfast and lunch daily. Grab a towel and a lounger and enjoy the ocean breezes far from the madding crowd.
The Yacht Club also has its own Concierge desk, manned 24/7, ready to assist on everything from show and restaurant reservations to taking care of any issue with your bill. We also made good use of the complimentary 24/7 room service.
During the week, we looked forward to attending shows in the ship’s main theater, including the popular “Starwalker,” featuring a Michael Jackson impersonator, and ABBA, both of which fill up quickly. Another Yacht Club perk: Our butler escorted us, using a special card that provided a nonstop ride in the elevator. Once at the theater, there’s a
special section roped off for Yacht Club guests. Could it get any better?
Yes, as a matter of fact, it could. There are other special perks as well, including priority boarding and return on shore excursions, a 15% discount at the shops—which Pam discovered when she purchased perfume—and, if requested, luggage unpacking and packing. We also got four items of clothing laundered at no charge. Additionally, each guest has unlimited Internet for two devices, along with complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa.
Along with the stellar service, they also arranged for some fun as well. One night, they hosted a “Party Under the Stars” where both guests and crew danced to the music of a DJ on the Sun Deck. On another day, it was High Tea in the lounge, where the butlers served us in their formal best.
The only thing better than the 5-star, gourmet food in the restaurant was the stellar service from a team headed by Zeno, the Yacht Club director, and Stefan, the Maitre d’Hotel. At our meals, Stefan always prepared us a special cheese plate drizzled with honey and reserved our favorite table in the evenings.
If your cruise itinerary includes a stop at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, Yacht Club guests have access to an exclusive area, “complete with butler service, a private beach and clubhouse and all-inclusive food and beverages.” (Ours did not, alas.)
Of course, along with all the Yacht Club offers, you also have full access to all the other amenities on the ship, including the restaurants, the Aqua Park, the sports complex and all the many bars and lounges. But honestly, it’s hard to leave the cozy, high-end confines of the club.
As to the original question of “Is it worth it?”
The Yacht Club provided both an unforgettable week and a dilemma: How are we ever supposed to go cruising the old way ever again?
And there’s your answer.
For more information or to book a cruise, visit msccruisesusa.com.
The Plan Your Family Can’t Afford to Skip
Don’t skip out on making a trust.
BY ALINA F. NUÑEZ, ESQ., ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE ATTORNEY
YOU’VE SPENT decades building something real: A business, a portfolio, a home your children grew up in. But ask yourself a hard question, if something happens to you tomorrow, would your family know exactly what to do? Would they have access to funds within days, or be tied up in court for months?
For families with significant assets, “I have a will” often feels like enough. It isn’t. A will only takes effect after death, and it has to go through probate, a public, often slow process where your financial life becomes part of the court record for anyone to see, including creditors, disgruntled relatives, and curious neighbors. If you own a business, probate can freeze decision-making at the worst possible moment. If you have young children, a will alone won’t protect their inheritance from being handed to them in a lump sum the day they turn 18.
CHANGING THE GAME
This is where a properly funded trust changes everything. A trust lets your assets pass to your spouse, children, or business partners without probate, privately, and often within weeks rather than months. For business owners, it means continuity: a clear succession plan that keeps operations running instead of stalling in court. For parents of young children, it means control: You decide when and how your children receive their inheritance, whether that’s staggered distributions at certain ages or funds reserved for education, rather than leaving it to a court-appointed guardian’s discretion.
A trust also protects what you’ve built from the unexpected: a future divorce, a lawsuit, or a beneficiary who simply isn’t ready to manage wealth. And for families with assets in the multi-million-dollar range, the right trust structure can meaningfully reduce exposure to estate taxes, keeping more of what you’ve earned with the people you intend to benefit.
The families who put this off usually aren’t being careless; they’re busy, and estate planning feels like something to handle “someday.” But someday isn’t a plan, and the cost of waiting isn’t paid by you. It’s paid by the people you love most, at the worst possible time.
If your estate plan hasn’t been reviewed in the last few years, or worse yet, doesn’t exist, now is the time to change that. Our team works with families and business owners throughout the area to build trusts and estate plans that protect what matters and keep decisions in your hands, not a courtroom’s. Make someday today and reach out to our office to start the conversation.
Alina F. Nuñez, Esq. is the principal attorney at Nunez Estate Law & Title, a Miami-based law firm devoted to helping families safeguard their wealth and smoothly transfer it to the next generation.
Schedule Your Consultation – “Protect your family today—your legacy depends on it” | 305-962-5929 | nunezlawfl.com
THE MOON RISES over a screening of the classic 1987 romance Dirty Dancing at Rooftop Cinema Club South Beach.
Historic Douglas Entrance