Musical Mentor Application 2026-2027

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Become a Musical Mentor


At Musical Mentors Collaborative (MMC), we believe that music education changes lives – not just for students, but for the teachers and mentors who guide them. Our mentors come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels, and we carefully match each one with the right students and teaching opportunities. 


When you apply to become a Musical Mentor, you may be placed in one of three mentor tiers based on your experience, training, and teaching background: Founding Mentor, Associate Mentor, or Principal Mentor. All mentor tiers are essential to our mission, and each plays a unique role in shaping the next generation of musicians and music lovers.

Musical Mentors are matched with students in our Musical Mentors Academy program to teach private lessons – both online and in person (depending on location).


Some of our Founding Mentors also support in Musical Mentors Exploration program classrooms in NYC, serving as teaching assistants for group classes and helping with small-group lessons for 1st and 2nd graders.


FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

We are accepting applications for both Founding Mentor and Associate Mentor positions.


We are only accepting Principal Mentor applications from people able to teach the following instruments: trombone, euphonium/baritone, tuba, cello, double bass, and electric bass, and from existing Principal Mentors.


All other Principal Mentor spots are full at this time. Principal Mentor applications for other instruments will be added to our waitlist. Please apply as an Associate or Founding Mentor if you are interested in being added to the MMC Musical Mentor roster more quickly.


NEW THIS YEAR: In accordance with Chancellor's Regulation C-105, all Mentors who work with students in-person in NYC public schools must complete the security clearance process conducted by the Department of Education (DOE) Office of Personnel Investigation (OPI) before they can work in any capacity at a school.

  • This applies to Mentors teaching in-person private lessons or assisting in after-school group classes.
  • Mentors will also complete a background check through MMC.
  • MMC will cover all security clearance costs!

Founding Mentor

Founding Mentors are the heart of MMC, carrying forward the spirit in which our organization was created – musicians giving their time and talent to ensure every student has access to music education. They inspire curiosity, joy, and confidence in beginners, often guiding students through their very first private lesson experience. Without Founding Mentors, our mission would not be possible.


Founding Mentors are typically undergraduate or graduate students who are currently enrolled in a college/university.


Undergraduate students are ONLY eligible for Founding Mentor positions.

  • Student Profile: Typically, beginner students taking exploration lessons for the first time, though our Founding Mentors can teach students of all levels and on a wide range of instruments/genres. 
  • Teaching Load: 1-3 students per year (some receiving ten 30-minute lessons, some receiving ten 60-minute lessons) 
  • Experience Required: Strong proficiency on your instrument, ability to create individualized lesson plans with MMC support, and enthusiasm for mentoring through music. 

Benefits  

  • University Student Scholarships: Founding Mentors who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs can apply for merit-based scholarship through MMC’s Tom Levine Scholarship Fund. 
  • University students also receive scholarship incentive pay for their teaching: $15 / 30-minute lesson; $10 for assisting in a group class or small-group lesson
  • 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught
Associate Mentor

Associate Mentors are highly skilled musicians and developing educators who work with committed students ready to advance beyond the basics. They bring a blend of technical skill, musicality, and growing teaching expertise, helping students deepen their abilities and passion for music. 

  • Student Profile: Typically, late elementary and middle school students who have studied their instrument for at least one year and are moving past the exploration stage. Associate Mentors can also teach students of all levels and on a wide range of instruments/genres, depending on their experience. 
  • Teaching Load: 1-3 students per year (some receiving ten 30-minute lessons, some receiving ten 60-minute lessons) 
  • Experience Required: Undergraduate or graduate degree in music performance, music education, or similar, OR an undergraduate degree (not in music), with significant prior teaching experience or pedagogy-specific training. 

Benefits: 

  • $30 / 60-minute lesson, $15 / 30-minute lesson
  • 50 hours free on Virtu.Academy's Forte Lessons platform  
  • 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught

Principal Mentor

*** Limited Principal Mentor positions are available at this time.


Principal Mentors are highly trained educators and professional musicians working with MMC’s most advanced students. They provide in-depth, high-level instruction, and their expertise and mentorship set the standard for excellence in our programs. 

  • Student Profile: Typically our most advanced and highest need students – usually middle school and high school – who are serious about their musical study and/or want to build a lasting relationship with their Musical Mentor. 
  • Teaching Load: 1-2 students per year (most receiving ten one-hour lessons)
  • Experience Required: Undergraduate or graduate degree in music performance, music education, or similar, AND significant prior teaching experience or pedagogy-specific training. 

Benefits: 

  • $60 / 60-minute lesson, $30 / 30-minute lesson 
  • 50 hours free on Virtu.Academy's Forte Lessons platform 
  • 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught

Musical Mentor Benefits

No matter your tier – Founding, Associate, Principal, or Grand – every MMC Musical Mentor is part of a community that values artistry, collaboration, and growth. We invest in our mentors just as we invest in our students, ensuring you have the tools, support, and opportunities to thrive. 


Lessons with Grand Mentors

MMC’s Grand Mentors are leading musicians in their fields, from award-winning performers to industry-recognized educators. They offer free lessons and coaching to mentors who give back to our mission, helping you strengthen your teaching, refine your artistry, and continue growing as a musician. This is individualized professional and artistic development from the very best.


Scholarships for Founding Mentors *

Founding Mentors who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs can apply for scholarship funds through MMC’s Tom Levine Scholarship Fund at the end of the school year. Founding Mentors have access to incentive scholarship for their teaching ($15/30-min lesson and $10/group class or small-group lesson), as well as merit scholarship for mentors who go above and beyond or contribute meaningfully as members of the university chapter E-Board.


Professional Development & Training

We provided teaching resources and host professional development events for mentors, offering training on pedagogy, student engagement, and mentorship best practices. These sessions are designed to sharpen your skills, inspire new ideas, and ensure you feel supported in every teaching scenario. 


Networking Opportunities

From local gatherings to national events, MMC provides in-person and online networking opportunities for mentors at all levels – Founding, Associate, Principal, and Grand. These events connect you with fellow musicians and educators, building a supportive, mission-driven community. 


Free Use of Forte Lessons Platform (Principal & Associate Mentors)

MMC partners with Virtu.Academy to deliver most of our Academy lessons on their Forte Lessons platform. Normally a paid service, the Forte Lessons platform is provided free to our Associate and Principal Mentors, giving you high-quality tools for MMC teaching and additional hours of platform usage for personal use at no cost to teach your own students (outside of MMC programming). Principal and Associate Mentors also have the option to upgrade to a paid, unlimited-use membership at 30% off!


More Grand Mentor Time and More Forte Lessons Usage

For our Principal and Associate Mentors, volunteering your time to teach additional students unlocks even greater benefits, including additional lessons with Grand Mentors (1 additional lesson per student) and additional use of Virtu.Academy's Forte Lessons online platform (50 additional hours per student). This is our way of honoring those who give back to MMC’s mission beyond their paid teaching, creating a cycle of generosity, artistry, and impact. 


* Only Founding Mentors who are enrolled university students are eligible to apply for the Tom Levine Scholarship Fund.
Musical Mentor - Personal Info



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Hold down the ctrl-key to select multiple ethnicities.

Address During the 2026-2027 School Year





Education and Background






Current Undergraduate or Graduate Student






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International Student



International students without a Social Security Number (SSN) will be required to complete an international background check process, which differs slightly from a domestic background check.
Not a Current Undergraduate or Graduate Student

If you hold undergraduate degrees from multiple institutions, please include all here.


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If you hold graduate degrees from multiple institutions, please include all here.


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Undergraduates: Founding Mentors
Undergraduate students work with MMC as Founding Mentors.

Founding Mentors who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs can apply for merit-based scholarship through MMC’s Tom Levine Scholarship Fund and can also earn scholarship incentive pay for teaching:
  • $15 per 30-minute lesson / $30 per 60-minute lesson
  • $10 for assisting in group classes or small-group lessons
MMC Involvement


See Page 1 for Musical Mentor tier descriptions


Select all that apply

Teaching Basics
The following questions will help us match you with a student/students to ensure a successful private lesson experience.






i.e. I can teach beginning through advanced piano students, but I can only teach beginning-level ukulele and guitar lessons.
Musical Mentors Exploration

Students in the Musical Mentors Exploration program participate in after-school group classes in NYC and take private lessons (either in-person or online) on the following instruments:
  • Drums/percussion
  • Piano
  • Recorder
  • Ukulele
  • Guitar
  • Violin (beginning-level students can only take in-person lessons on violin)
  • Voice
IMPORTANT: We cannot guarantee that every Musical Mentor will be matched with a student, particularly if you do not select an instrument in the list below.

If you can commit to learning along WITH your student and stay at least ONE lesson ahead of your student, you can probably teach the private lessons for a beginner, even if you're not an expert on that instrument.

Remember: The majority of students will be beginners/novice musicians. Your enthusiasm, consistency, dedication, and passion for music are most important for these lessons!


* The twelve most common parent preferred languages, other than English, in New York City; these languages, including English, account for nearly 99% of student households.
Founding Mentors for Group Classes and Small-Group Lessons
Excellent! Teaching assistants in group classes or small-group lessons are Founding Mentors with MMC.

We'll be in touch with additional information about how you can get involved as a Founding Mentor teaching assistant in group classes and small-group lessons.

Founding Mentors who are current undergraduate or graduate students can earn incentive scholarship for assisting in group classes or small-group lessons. 

NEW THIS YEAR: In accordance with Chancellor's Regulation C-105, all Mentors who work with students in-person in NYC public schools must complete the security clearance process conducted by the Department of Education (DOE) Office of Personnel Investigation (OPI) before they can work in any capacity at a school.
University E-Board
Excellent! We are so thankful for your active leadership as a member of your university's MMC E-Board.

Founding Mentors who are active E-Board members are able to apply for merit-based scholarship through MMC's Tom Levine Scholarship Fund.
Musical Background


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



A submitted resume/CV is required from Principal Mentor applicants, and is optional but highly recommended from Associate and Founding Mentor applicants .
Application Submission

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