Each school year, the Academy coordinates a Teaching Scholars program with Mason’s School of Music, selecting qualified Music students and matching them with local schools to provide in-school augmented music instruction and supplemental study to children in Grades 4-8 who would otherwise not have access to such resources.
This year, 5 Mason Music students – many of which are Music Education majors – received Teaching Scholar awards, and from November through May traveled to Woodburn Elementary (Falls Church, VA), Cunningham Park Elementary (Vienna, VA) and Rippon Middle School (Woodbridge, VA), working with approximately 70 public school students.
Once a week, students receive one hour of music instruction from the Scholars. For many students, musical instruments were also loaned out through the Academy’s Instruments in the Attic program. The Teaching Scholars coordinated with a teacher/ teachers from the school to maximize the musical and educational impact.
A wonderful additional benefit of the program is that it provides an opportunity for Mason Music Education students to gain crucial real-world teaching experience while still pursuing their degree.
“I chose Mason because of its fantastic instrumental professors and education program,” said Mason music major Glenn Turner. “The Teaching Scholar award that I received will help me immensely on my road to graduation, and also ensures that I will be a stronger, more experienced teacher when I do earn my degree.”
The Academy’s ability to provide this outreach program to the community depends in part on donations from generous community members like you. Please consider making a gift to help us reach more kids!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TEACHING SCHOLARS PROGRAM