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Musical Mentors University Volunteer Instructor Application 23/24

Musical Mentors University (MMU) partners with Title 1 Schools to provide free, student-centered music instruction and mentorship. University students serve as volunteer instructors to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to private instruction. Our volunteer instructors have intensive music training - some are aspiring musicians or music educators while others are pursuing careers in finance, law, government, consulting, and non-profit. Our volunteer instructors are all talented musicians who love sharing what they’ve learned and mentoring a young student. 


MMU is a semester-long opportunity (Fall/Spring) though we prioritize students and volunteer instructors who can commit to a full school year. Students range grades K-8. Most have no music training and attend public schools with little to no arts education budget. MMU offers lessons on most instruments and students can study any genre of music - classical, jazz, pop, hip-hop, and rock! 


Volunteer Instructors commit to: 

  • 8 private lessons per semester in person at the student’s school

  • Submitting lesson reports to communicate attendance and progress 

  • Mentoring a student through a shared joy of music 

  • 1 onboarding training 

  • 1 professional development training per semester

  • 1 performance opportunity for their student per semester


Volunteer Instructors gain: 

  • A community through their individual university chapter and all of MMC across the country

  • A mutually beneficial and authentic relationship with a young musician

  • Opportunities for social service and musical training 

  • Leadership and management lessons such as responsibility, effective communication, time management and accountability 

  • A new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the value you have to offer 

  • The satisfaction that comes from giving back   


MMC prioritizes students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to take private lessons or engage in music enrichment opportunities. We start accepting volunteer instructor applications on August 15 and complete the matching process by September 20. Lessons begin in October. If you have any questions please reach out to the University Chapters Coordinator (university@musical-mentors.org) 





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Teaching Application

We use all of the below information to assess teaching experience and best match volunteer instructors with local students. 










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MMC strives to match youth with the same Musical Mentor each year when possible. Please reach out to our University Chapters Coordinator if you would like to discuss a different match.

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We'll give you a chance to attach a CV in a moment, but use this space to draw attention to your most meaningful work. Please keep this under 300 words.



We don't believe in prescribing our teachers a curriculum. We will absolutely provide guidance, and can supply some optional materials, but we believe our teachers teach best if they have the freedom to structure their own curricula.

This is not a requirement to teach in our program!




Below are the available times that instructors can participate in one-on-one lessons and/or assisting a music teacher with group classes. Further details will be provided once you provide your availability.

What days and times generally work best for a 45-minute lesson?*





International students without a Social Security Number (SSN) will be required to complete an international background check process, which differs slightly from our normal background check.



i.e. Big Brothers Big Sisters, high school/elementary or middle school programs, local animal shelters, community improvement, etc.



For example, "I have experience teaching students with learning disabilities," or, "I've never taught before and am nervous about the prospect of teaching an elementary student”