FAQ’s

What should I do if I have not heard from my student’s mentor?

• Please reach out to them if you have a phone and/or email address and give them a few days to respond.
• If you do not hear anything, reach out directly to your chapter’s leadership team
• Contact info is available on the –Chapter Page
• They can put you on the waitlist or pair you with a new mentor if the person you were originally assigned will not work out.

What should I do if I have not heard from my student’s family?

• Please reach out to them if you have a phone and/or email address and give them a few days to respond.
• If you do not hear anything, reach out directly to your chapter’s leadership team
• Contact info is available on the –Chapter Page
• They can put you on the waitlist or pair you with a new student if the family you were originally assigned will not work out.

How do I register multiple students?

• The – New Student Application – will prompt you at the end to register another student.
• Please email admin@musical-empowerment.org if you are having issues with the application.

How does Musical Empowerment make pairs?

• Staff and college student leaders work together to review applicataions for mentors and students.
• Students who receive free and reduced lunch and are 5th grade or older will receieve priority.
• Families who have applied multiple times also recieve priority.
• From there, we look for preferences on instrument, gender, and experience level as indicated in the applications.
• Once we believe we have a strong pair, students and mentors will be sent each others contact information.

When do lessons take place?

• Lessons can take place anytime! It is up to the parent and mentor to find the best time for everyone’s schedules.
• If you are meeting in person, make sure you know what the days/time limits are.
• Lessons follow the college schedule and generally take place from September to April with a break over the summer and in December.
• Pairs my continue working together during breaks as they see fit.
• Recitals take place at the end of each semester marking the official end of lessons for that semester

What should I do if I need an instrument or an instrument repair?

• Mentors make instrument requests on behalf on their student. The mentor will make sure they request the correct size and needed accessories.
• Mentors – request inststruments here.
• If your instrument needs a repair or upgrade, see if your mentor can help first.
• If the instrument needs major repair, either the mentor or parent can reach out to the chapter leadership team
• Contact info is availalbe on the –Chapter Page
• A loaner instrument may be available while the repair is being made.

How does Musical Empowerment operate?

• Musical Empowerment is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We are totally funded by community supporters!
• Our Board of Directors and staff members work with college student leaders at each chapter to recruit, collect and distribute instruments, and host a recital each semester.

How is Musical Empowerment responding to COVID-19?

• 100% of Musical Empowerment mentors and staff are vaccinated
• 60% of our pairs still meet virtually as of Spring 2022
• Pairs can decide when or if they’d like to meet again in person
• Pairs that meet in person follow the guidelines of the lesson space in terms of wearing masks and social distancing
• All lessons will go back to virtual if a university or school is closed due to an outbreak
• Pairs meeting in person will switch to virtual if either party is exposed or sick in any capacity
• Full covid policies

Can I start a chapter at my university?

• Yes! We’d love to chat with you. Please send us an email at admin@musical-empowerment.org