University Chapters

MMC’s University Chapters partner with Title I Schools in their community to provide free, student-centered music instruction. University students serve as volunteer instructors to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to private lessons. 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. They’re all talented musicians who love sharing what they’ve learned with a student who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to learn it.

Students range grades K-8. Most have no music training and attend public schools with little to no arts education budget. MMC takes a personalized approach to pairing students with their Musical Mentor. Not only do we consider the student’s instrument of choice, but also their developmental needs and relevant characteristics, skills, and interests. The University Chapter program offers lessons on the following instruments (depending on age and musical background): violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, voice, percussion, ukulele, composition, and most wind and brass instruments. Many of our students study classical and jazz, but we teach whatever our students love to listen to – pop, hip hop, and rock are all on the menu! Students receive a free instrument and we custom-design our lessons to meet the needs and learning styles of each student, and strive to prioritize collaborative goal-setting as the primary method for achieving progress.

The University Chapter program is a semester long opportunity (Fall/Spring). Students take 8 lessons per semester and have an end of semester recital opportunity. Students may participate for as many semesters as they would like. Outside of the lesson room, our students have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses and workshops. We also take our students and their families to live concerts and offer opportunities for behind the scenes looks at venues like Lincoln Center and Symphony Hall.