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Musical Mentors Academy 2025-2026


Musical Mentors Academy Program Overview
Musical Mentors Academy (MMA) is a private lesson program that partners with public schools, non-profits, community centers, and other arts organizations to offer subsidized one-on-one music instruction for dedicated and ambitious students. Lessons are taught by MMC’s impressive roster of Musical Mentors who not only offer stellar instruction but personalized mentorship. To address the multitude of barriers to private music lessons, MMC offers this program both online and in person.

Students receive lessons with an assigned Musical Mentor as well as additional lessons, masterclasses, and workshops with MMC’s roster of Grand Mentors. We take a student-centered, personalized approach to pairing students with their Musical Mentor, allowing them to build meaningful and consistent relationships that can empower them to succeed in their musical journey and beyond.

MMA students may perform in studio classes and public performances and participate in optional workshops and community events, both in person and online. 

Who


Age: 

MMA is open to students of all ages, but we recommend the program for students in 3rd grade and above, to ensure a successful private lesson experience.


Ability Level: 

MMA is open to students of all musical ability levels. Some MMA students may be looking to be accepted into high school or collegiate music programs, while others may be excited to start beginning piano lessons.


Commitment Level: 

Whatever the age, prior experience, or motivation, MMA students are willing to commit to lessons, workshops, masterclasses, performance opportunities, and community events during the school year (September through May). MMA students want to improve instrumental technique, develop solo and ensemble skills, explore repertoire, and strengthen their performance skills. 


Another Program Option – Musical Mentors Exploration

Elementary and middle school students enrolled in our Musical Mentors Exploration (MME) program receive special exploration lessons with our Musical Mentors, giving them the opportunity to experience individualized instruction. If you’re looking for after-school programming combined with small-group or private lessons, MME might be right for you! 

 


MMA Lesson Pathways

Students can choose from two distinct lesson pathways within MMA: Exploration Lessons or Forte Lessons.


Lesson Pathway 1:  Exploration Lessons

Tuition: $200/student 


The Exploration Lessons pathway is recommended for beginning-level students, students in elementary or early middle school, or students who want an introductory private lesson experience.


The Exploration Lessons pathway includes:

    • Ten 30-minute lessons
    • 1 performance opportunity
    • Access to workshops or masterclasses
    • Access to community events


Lesson Pathway 2:  Forte Lessons

Tuition: $400/student 


The Forte Lessons pathway is recommended for intermediate- and advanced-level students, students in middle and high school, or students who have previously excelled in music classes and/or private lessons.


The Forte Lessons pathway includes:

    • Twenty 60-minute lessons
    • 2 performance opportunities
    • Access to workshops or masterclasses
    • Access to community events



Subsidized Lessons and Scholarship

The cost of the MMA program is subsidized by MMC donors. The true cost per student is at least $2,500, and MMC subsidizes this fee thanks to individual donors, grants, and foundations.


Tuition can be paid in full before the first lesson or paid in monthly installments between September and February.


Scholarships are available within the Forte Lessons pathway based on financial need. Financial information must be provided during this application process. 



Other Info:

MMC can provide a loaned instrument to students who need one at no additional cost. 

However, we encourage parents/guardians/organizations to provide an instrument, if they are able to do so.

 

MMC prioritizes the acceptance of students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to take private lessons or engage in music enrichment opportunities. 


Further acceptance priority goes to returning students and students associated with our partner organizations and schools. 


If you have any questions, please reach out to the Musical Mentors Collaborative team: mma@musical-mentors.org.










Primary Mailing Address











Student's Language





Primary Contact

Communication for Musical Mentors Academy will mainly come through email and will be with the primary parent/guardian - not directly with the student. 


Be sure to list a parent/guardian’s contact information below.






Parent/Guardian Contact Info










The following questions help us prioritize applicant needs and best match your student with a Musical Mentor. Please email mma@musical-mentors.org if you have any questions.

MMC Prior Experience and Lesson Preferences













Musical Background & Lesson Preferences






e.g . school band, school music class, group music class after-school, one-on-one instruction, family member teaching





MMA Lesson Pathways

Students can choose from two distinct lesson pathways within MMA: Exploration Lessons or Forte Lessons.



Lesson Pathway 1:  Exploration Lessons

Tuition: $200/student 


The Exploration Lessons pathway is recommended for beginning-level students (one year or less of experience), students in elementary or early middle school, or students who want an introductory private lesson experience.


The Exploration Lessons pathway includes:

    • Ten 30-minute lessons
    • 1 performance opportunity
    • Access to workshops or masterclasses
    • Access to community events


Lesson Pathway 2:  Forte Lessons

Tuition: $400/student 


The Forte Lessons pathway is recommended for intermediate- and advanced-level students (two+ years experience), students in middle and high school, or students who have previously excelled in music classes and/or private lessons.


The Forte Lessons pathway includes:

    • Twenty 60-minute lessons
    • 2 performance opportunities
    • Access to workshops or masterclasses
    • Access to community events
    • Ability to apply for tuition scholarship


Actual Program Cost:

The cost of the MMA program is subsidized by MMC donors. The true cost per student is at least $2,500, and MMC subsidizes this fee thanks to individual donors, grants, and foundations.


Payment Options: 

Tuition can be paid in full before the first lesson or paid in monthly installments between September and February. 


Scholarship - Forte Lessons:

All students in the Musical Mentors Exploration program receive financial assistance through our heavily subsidized tuition.


Additional limited scholarships are available to students in the Forte Lessons pathway who demonstrate financial need. Scholarship is not available for the Exploration Lessons pathway.


Loaned Instruments and Practice-to-Own Instruments:

MMC can provide loaned instruments to MAA students who do not have their own instrument, at no additional cost. 

Outstanding, highly dedicated, committed students in the Forte Lessons pathway program who do not own their own instrument may be invited to apply for MMC's Practice-to-Own program, in which MMC can help the student's family secure an instrument.

Instrument Access



E.g. digital keyboard, upright piano, drum set, flute

Musical Mentors Collaborative (MMC) can help provide a loaned instrument to students who need one. However, we encourage parents/guardians/organizations to provide an instrument, if they are able to do so.


Please note: Instruments are loaned to the student while the student is enrolled in the MMA program. Loaned instruments need to be returned in good condition at the end of the MMA program.

We will reach out with additional instrument information as soon as your student has been matched with a Musical Mentor.

Lesson Format: Online or In Person

IMPORTANT INFO: Please read!

Private lessons are offered either in person or online, depending on the student's location, in-person lesson space availability, and/or teacher availability.

MMA private lessons are based on mutual commitment and generosity: students giving their effort and curiosity, and Musical Mentor teaching artists and volunteer instructors giving their time and expertise.

Note 1: We ask that all participants - students, families, and teachers - keep the following in mind: 

  • MMC will make every effort to match students with an appropriate Musical Mentor who can best meet their needs. MMC cannot guarantee that a teacher will be available for every instrument at all times.
  • If a Musical Mentor becomes unavailable, MMC will make every effort to rematch the student with another teacher so they can complete their lessons. 
  • We know that sometimes schedules shift, and conflicts arise. If a student becomes unavailable or disengaged, MMC will communicate with the family and the Musical Mentor to determine next steps, including the possibility of reassigning the teacher to another student.
Note 2: 
In locations where space and/or teachers are not available for in-person private lessons, students will be offered online lessons.

Note 3: 
If lessons are online, students will take lessons from one of the following devices, using the correct corresponding browser:
  • Laptop or desktop computer (using the Chrome browser)
  • iPad (Safari browser)
  • iPhone (Safari browser)
  • Android phone (Chrome browser)
MMC does not provide devices for online lessons.

Please note: MMC cannot guarantee that lesson preferences will be met.


Lesson Scheduling





LESSON SCHEDULING:


If your student is accepted to the Musical Mentors Academy program, what days and times could generally work for lessons? 


Please enter ALL availability here, not just the times that would be best or most convenient.


Choose all possible lesson time slots, even if your student is only available for a portion of the hour.








Please provide any details about your student's schedule and availability that might be helpful as we work to find shared availability with a Musical Mentor for private lessons.

If there are lesson days/times that would be great for your family but aren't reflected in the choices above, tell us here.

Examples:
  • My child is an early-bird and would love to do weekday lessons at 5:30 am.
  • My child has soccer every Saturday through late October, but then Saturdays become available. 
  • My son has ballet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and every other Thursday through December, but his ballet schedule may change in January. 
  • My daughter's after-school tutoring schedule shifts by week. She typically meets with her tutor three days a week after school and is free around 6:30 pm.

Student Information for Musical Mentor Pairing

The following information will help us pair your student with a Musical Mentor who can best meet their needs during private lessons. The more detail you can give, the better!

Help us get to know your student so we can find them a perfect Musical Mentor.



i.e. Science, Literacy, PE, Art, Recess, etc.



Help Us Understand Your Student

Please help us better understand your student.


These questions WILL NOT affect your student's admission decision. MMC's programs are built to be inclusive of all learners. 





Help Us Understand Your Family

The questions below help us offer programming that meets the needs of our students and communities, and help us raise necessary funds to subsidize program tuition.


These questions WILL NOT affect your student's admission decision.



If parents are not living together but are both supporting the student financially, please select "Two parents/guardians".






Scholarship: Financial Assistance

All students in the Musical Mentors Academy program receive financial assistance through our heavily subsidized tuition. Additional limited scholarships are available to students in the Forte Lessons pathway who demonstrate financial need.


The additional questions below help us offer programming that meets the needs of our students and communities. These questions WILL NOT affect your student's admission decision.













Contact Information