Apply to Teach
Apply now to be a Musical Mentor for the 2025-2026 school year!
Share your music. Change a life.
At Musical Mentors Collaborative, every teacher – whether a seasoned professional, an emerging educator, or a dedicated volunteer – plays a vital role in shaping the future of music. We believe that great mentorship meets students where they are, igniting curiosity, building confidence, and opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.
We are a collaborative of artists, educators, and volunteers who believe every child deserves access to music. Through our programs, we provide free or subsidized one-on-one lessons, group classes, instruments, and sustained mentorship. Together, we are breaking down barriers and creating equity in music education.
Become a Musical Mentor
Click here to apply – Applications are being accepted and reviewed now!
At Musical Mentors Collaborative (MMC), we know that music education changes lives – not just for students, but for the teachers and mentors who guide them, too. 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 have teaching opportunities within both our Musical Mentors Exploration and Musical Mentors Academy programs:
Musical Mentors Exploration (MME):
– after-school, in-person music exploration group classes for elementary and middle school students
– Musical Mentors serve as a teaching assistant in group classes or teach small-group lessons
Musical Mentors Academy (MMA):
– private lessons for beginning, intermediate, and advanced student musicians, usually 3rd grade and older
– Musical Mentors teach private lessons, both online and in person (depending on location)
– Students take either 10 half-hour lessons or 20 one-hour lessons, over the course of the school year
Volunteer 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.
Student Profile: Typically, beginner students in group classes or 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 group class, 1 small-group lesson cohort, and/or 1-2 private lesson students per year
Experience Required: Strong proficiency on your instrument, ability to create individualized lesson plans with MMC support, and enthusiasm for volunteerism and mentoring through music.
You are: A musician – whether or not you’ve taught before – who wants to inspire and guide students, helping them discover the joy of music.
Benefits:
– 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught
– University students: Apply for merit-based scholarship funds through MMC’s Tom Levine Scholarship Fund
– University students: Scholarship incentive pay for teaching ($15/30-min. lesson and $10/group classes)
Associate Mentors are 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: 3-4 private lesson students per year
Experience Required: Currently enrolled in, or holding, a music degree; OR prior teaching experience or pedagogy-specific training.
You are: A musician building your teaching career – either trained in music but newer to pedagogy, studying music at the collegiate level, or an experienced private instructor without a formal music degree.
Benefits: *
– Paid $30/hour
– 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught
– 50 hours free on Virtu.Academy’s Forte Learning platform for personal use or the opportunity to upgrade to a paid unlimited membership at 30% off
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 a Musical Mentor.
Teaching Load: 1-2 private lesson students per year
Experience Required: Undergraduate or graduate degree in music performance, music education, or similar AND extensive prior teaching experience or pedagogy-specific training.
You are: A highly trained musician and experienced educator, dedicated to guiding students towards their highest potential.
Benefits: *
– Paid $60/hour
– 1 Grand Mentor lesson per student taught
– 50 hours free on Virtu.Academy’s Forte Learning platform for personal use or the opportunity to upgrade to a paid unlimited membership at 30% off
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.
Volunteer and Unlock MORE Benefits (Associate & Principal Mentors)
For our Associate and Principal Mentors, volunteering your time to teach additional students unlocks even greater benefits, including additional lessons with Grand Mentors (1 additional lesson per student taught) and additional use of Virtu.Academy’s Forte Learning platform (50 additional hours per student taught). 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.
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.
Free Use of Virtu.Academy’s Forte Learning platform (Associate & Principal Mentors)
MMC partners with Virtu.Academy and Forte Lessons, two professional-grade online lesson platforms, to deliver most of our Academy lessons. Normally a paid service, Virtu.Academy’s Forte Learning 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!
Professional Development & Training
We host frequent events for all 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 remote 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.
University Volunteers – Scholarship
Founding Mentors who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs can apply for merit-based scholarship funds through MMC’s Tom Levine Scholarship Fund. University volunteers also receive scholarship incentive pay for their teaching ($15/30-min. lesson and $10/group classes).
*Note – Associate and Principal Mentors are not eligible for the Tom Levine Scholarship Fund.
Why Teach with MMC?
- Be part of a mission-driven community dedicated to expanding access to quality music education.
- Receive training, resources, and support from MMC staff.
- Connect with fellow mentors at networking and professional development events.
- Know that your teaching – whether as a professional, an emerging educator, or a volunteer – is transforming students’ lives and building a more equitable musical landscape.
Apply now to be a Musical Mentor!
Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2025. Late applications may be accepted if space is available.