UNIVERSITY CHAPTERS

Overview

Musical Mentors Collaborative was founded in 2009 by students at Columbia University. The organization began as a small group of volunteer musicians – both amateurs and aspiring professionals – teaching free private lessons to elementary school students in Morningside Heights.

Today, MMC continues to partner with University Students and higher education institutions to create University Chapter opportunities at colleges across the US. Chapters are student-led organizations that support MMC’s youth programming, offer educational and professional development opportunities to university students, and create multiple networking and community building connections with support from Musical Mentors Collaborative.

MMC’s University Chapters are made up of college students who are dedicated to bringing the joy of music and person-centered mentorship to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Our Founding Mentors teach private, small-group, and large group lessons. MMC not only creates robust training and professional development opportunities, hosts multiple networking events each year, and offers a scholarship program to Founding Mentors – the organization also pays Founding Mentors for their teaching time! Giving back has never been easier and ensures a mutually beneficial experience.

Every University Chapter has four primary objectives.

1. Music Education 
2. Mentorship 
3. Volunteerism 
4. Fundraising 

Volunteer Benefits

As a University Chapter member and/or Founding Mentor with MMC, university students enjoy a range of benefits that support their personal, professional, and musical growth.

• Community Building: Connect with fellow university students and the larger MMC network
• Personal Fulfillment: Develop a meaningful relationship with young musicians
• Leadership Opportunities: Serve as a Chapter President or Board Member and gain valuable leadership and administrative experience
• Professional Skills: Enhance their resume with robust training and professional development opportunities
• Networking: Gain access to networking opportunities with professional musicians, educators, and MMC alumni
• Financial Rewards: Apply for scholarships and receive payment for their contributions and time
• Instruments and Resources: Receive free instruments and materials to ensure successful instruction

The Tom Levine Scholarship Fund (TSLF) is a fund created to financially reward our volunteers for the time that they dedicate to our mission.

Who should apply to the TLSF?

Founding Mentors (anyone who assisted with a group class at one of our partner schools and/or taught private lessons to a student) and E-Board members should apply to receive a incentive award through the TLSF.

How are award amounts determined?

When determining the amount that will be distributed to each applicant, the review committee will consider a number of factors, including:

• How many hours of volunteering were completed
• How many years the candidate has been a Founding Mentor or University Chapter member
• Has the candidate shown an alignment with MMC’s mission?
• Has the candidate gone above and beyond the requirements of being a Chapter Member?

Founding Mentor Commitments

Founding Mentors are expected to commit at least 10 hours of their time per school year, which will be a combination of the following activities:

• Private Lessons: Teach 30-minute private lessons to MME students
• Group Lessons: Act as a teaching assistant in MME after-school group classes
• Professional Development: Participate in training and professional development sessions

Each volunteer’s schedule can be tailored to fit their availability and preferences while ensuring they fulfill their commitment of 10 hours annually.

Note: all Mentors are required to complete a background check and onboarding before starting their commitments  

Chapter members who want to support MMC’s mission but are not interested in teaching or available to teach in private or group lessons can take on an important role by joining their chapter’s e-board and/or supporting Musical Mentors Collaborative’s fundraising efforts.

Start a Chapter

Are you inspired by MMC’s mission? Do you want to start a chapter at your school/university?

Starting an MMC University Chapter comes with a support circle of staff and peers, guidance and outlines for operational processes, and training for leaders and teachers. We help you put all of the puzzle pieces together to ensure the work of supporting music education in your community can happen quickly and efficiently.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us! We love to meet passionate university students who align with our mission to expand youths’ experiences and opportunities through music. We hope to have a University Chapter at every higher education institution across the United States one day!

Every new University Chapter needs a passionate and entrepreneurial PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER. If you are ready to apply for this role, please submit a letter of interest and resume to jobs@musical-mentors.org.