MUSICAL MENTORS EXPLORATION

Artistic discovery through developmentally-appropriate
group classes and tailored music lesson experiences

2025-2026 Registration – Open Now!

Program Overview

Musical Mentors Exploration (MME) partners with public schools and community-based organizations to offer musical enrichment and an opportunity for students to “explore” musical instruments, genres, and performance. The program provides weekly group classes to students of all interests and ability levels. The curriculum introduces and provides instruments that have a low barrier to entry, getting kids playing and performing music quickly to be immediately engaged in the complete musical process. Dedicated Musical Mentors build on foundational musical skills throughout the group class work by introducing additional instruments, scaffolding prior musical skills and knowledge, and expanding both individual and group music-making opportunities. Musical Mentors work closely with students to explore their individual musical interests and curiosities, bringing student voice and curricular desires to the forefront. 

Students enrolled in MME can apply to receive free small-group or private lessons on an instrument of their choice through MMC’s Academy program. These “exploration lessons” can inspire students to take the next steps in their musical journey. 

MMC intentionally designs and implements customized Musical Mentors Exploration programming in tight partnership with schools and community-based organizations. Rather than operating a one-size-fits-all model, MMC collaborates closely with each partner jointly design a customized MME program that meets the specific needs of the students and communities we cooperatively serve. Based on the students’ and communities’ needs, customized MME programming includes music classes, private lessons, creative workshops, and/or community-building musical events, all of which are facilitated by our Musical Mentors. 

Who
MME is for elementary school students (grades 1-5) and middle school students (grades 6-8) who want to learn in a supportive and engaging group environment while also receiving individualized instruction. Students may participate as experienced instrumentalists or musical novices as the curriculum allows for varying levels of experience. Many students engage in the program for multiple years and develop a strong foundation of both musical and interpersonal skills. 

Students are expected to commit to the group classes for the entire duration of the program. Private and small-group lessons are provided through MMC’s Academy Program. Students who do not follow MME’s attendance policy will not be offered to privilege of taking private or small-group lessons. 

Program Tuition and Cost 

MME program tuition: $400 

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

Scholarships are available based on financial need, as submitted during the application process. Scholarship range from 25% to 100% of tuition, based on demonstrated need.

Tuition Options: Tuition can be paid in full prior to the start of classes, or families can elect to pay via monthly installments from September through February. The first installment must be paid before the start of classes.

Tuition Includes:

• Thirty weeks of 90-minute group classes
• Two performance opportunities
• Monthly community events
• Snacks during class
• Group class instruments and materials
• End of Year Program Event/Field Trip (depending on partnership)

 

Small-Group or Private Lessons

All MME students have the opportunity to apply for and participate in free music lessons, in addition to their weekly group class. 

1st and 2nd Grades: Small-Group Lessons

• 1st and 2nd grade students are offered four 1-hour small-group lesson sessions, allowing them to explore instruments and build foundational skills in a developmentally-appropriate collaborative setting.

3rd-5th Grades: MMA Exploration Lessons – Limited Instrument Options

• 3rd through 5th grade students are offered ten private 30-minute Exploration Lessons through the Musical Mentors Academy program. Lessons are available online or in person, depending on the school partnership, space availability, and/or teacher availability.
• Students can choose an instrument of focus from the following list: drums/percussion, piano/keyboard, recorder, clarinet (for 4th and 5th graders at P.S. 145 only), ukulele, guitar, violin, or voice.

6th-8th Grades: MMA Exploration Lessons – All Instruments

• 6th through 8th grade students are offered ten private 30-minute Exploration Lessons through the Musical Mentors Academy program. Lessons are available online or in person, depending on the school partnership, space availability, and/or teacher availability.
• Students can choose any instrument of focus, depending on Musical Mentors Academy teaching-artist availability.

 

Important Notes about Small-Group and Private Lessons:

Note 1: The free private lessons and small-group lessons are a bonus for MME students, outside of the after-school MME program, and cannot be guaranteed for any student. The small-group lessons and Exploration Lessons are based on mutual commitment and generosity: students giving their effort and curiosity, teaching artists and volunteer instructors giving their time and expertise.

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 teaching artist/volunteer instructor who can best meet their needs. MMC cannot guarantee that a teacher will be available for every instrument at all times.
• If a teaching artist or volunteer instructor becomes unavailable, MMC will make every effort to rematch the student with another instructor 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 teacher to determine next steps, including the possibility of reassigning the volunteer to another student.

Note 2: In schools where space is not available for small-group lessons, all students are offered MMA Exploration Lessons instead.

Note 3: MMC loans instruments to students who need one at no additional cost. Instruments must be checked out and returned as soon as lessons are completed. Small-group lesson instruments will not be allowed to go home with students.

Note 4: MMC does not provide devices for online lessons. 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).

 

2025-2026 Registration – Open Now!

 

P.S. 66 – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School

9/7/25: Both P.S. 66 classes are now FULL! You can register to be added to the Waitlist.

Musical Mentor: Jane Lee

Green Class: 1st-3rd Grades
Tuesday, 2:20-3:50 pm (Class schedule here)
Curriculum focus: Drums/percussion and recorder

Yellow Class: 4th & 5th Grades
Thursday, 2:20-3:50 pm (Class schedule here)
Curriculum focus: Keyboard and violin

 

P.S. 145 – The Bloomingdale School

Musical Mentor: Katie Gordon

Green Class: 1st and 2nd Grades
Tuesday, 2:35-4:05 pm (Class schedule here)
Curriculum focus: Keyboard and ukulele

Yellow Class: 3rd-5th Grades
Wednesday, 2:35-4:05 pm (Class schedule here)
Curriculum focus: Guitar and recorder/clarinet

 

P.S. 164 – Queens Valley School of the Arts

Musical Mentor: Maksim Perepelica

All Grades
Tuesday, 2:25-4:00 pm (Class schedule here)
Curriculum focus: Drums/percussion and keyboard

 

Would you like your elementary or middle school to be an MME program site? Reach out to us at mme@musical-mentors.org.