American Children's Orchestras for Peace, Inc. (ACOP) is a 501 (C) (3) non- profit organization founded in 2001 by Ms. Maida Santander, Dr. Rafael Diaz-Yoserev and Dr. Michael Nobel. Dr Nobel is also Chairman of The Nobel Charitable Trust Foundation and great grand nephew of Alfred Nobel of the Nobel Peace Prizes.

ACOP provides music instruction to under privileged children in public schools, community centers and parks to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness that often leads to juvenile violence. This year-round program is designed to provide instruments and free lessons to underserved, at-risk children in Miami-Dade County, using music to improve individual achievements, social skills, parental involvement, and ultimately – children’s lives.

Mission

American Children's Orchestras for Peace's mission is to "create for our children, through music, an environment free of violence".

Vision

ACOP's vision is that by developing specific musical programs, we aim to provide children with alternatives to the cycle of poverty and hopelessness that so often leads to violence. Our vision caters as much to the children’s artistic development as it does to the idea of music as a tool for peace and social change.