named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Musical Mentors Academy
Private music instruction program for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, typically 3rd grade and older, delivered online or in person.
Musical Mentors Exploration
After-school group music classes for elementary and middle school students, offering foundational music skills and opportunities for free small-group or private lessons.
University Chapters
Student-led college chapters that support youth music programs, provide teaching experience, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities for university students.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
- Deliver free or subsidized private and group music instruction to youth in under-resourced communitiesProvides one-on-one and group music lessons, both in-person and online, to students from historically marginalized backgrounds, including those affected by poverty, homelessness, or lack of access due to geography. Lessons are offered through structured programs such as Musical Mentors Academy and Musical Mentors Exploration, with instruction tailored to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
- Employ professional musicians and university student volunteers as teaching artists and mentorsRecruits and employs professional musicians and university student volunteers to serve as music instructors and mentors, providing them with financial compensation and structured roles in delivering private and group lessons. During the pandemic, launched an emergency grant-based teaching artist program to support musicians while expanding student instruction.
- Provide instruments, technology, and performance opportunities to support student engagementLoans musical instruments at no cost to students in need and supports virtual learning with technology from corporate partners. Organizes annual recitals, community events, and performance opportunities—including online recitals and end-of-program concerts—with at least two performance events offered per program year.
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Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Establish and support university-led chapters to expand program deliverySupports the creation and operation of student-led university chapters by providing training, operational guidance, and staff support to ensure sustainable local program implementation and volunteer engagement.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Support mentor and instructor development through training and resourcesHosts professional development workshops, trainings, and networking events for teaching artists and university student volunteers, focusing on pedagogy, student engagement, and mentorship best practices. Provides operational guidance and teaching resources to support effective instruction and program delivery.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$364K
Contributions & grants$347K96%
Program service revenue$35K10%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-19K
expenses
Total expenses$554K
Program expenses46%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising29%
Salaries & benefits$321K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$48K
Cash$48K
Investments$0
Liabilities$117K
Net assets$-68K
Liquid reserves1.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -35.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathryn Sansone | Executive Director | 40 | $125K |
board members · 7
- Edward Huang — Treasurer
- Jonathan Maimon — Board Member
- Julian Vleeschhouwer — Vice President and Secretary
- Katie Gordon — Board Member
- Peter Susser — Board Member
- Zack Susel — Board President and Founder
- Zila Reyes Acosta-Grimes — Board Member
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Blue Mics Partner — Provided support to enhance the virtual learning environment for MMC students during the pandemic.
- Columbia University Partner — Founding institution where Musical Mentors Collaborative was established by students in 2009.
- Grand Mentors Partner — World-renowned musicians who provide mentorship, expertise, and resources to support MMC's programs and events.
- Logitech Partner — Provided support to enhance the virtual learning environment for MMC students during the pandemic.
- MMC Partner — Referred to by a parent as the organization coordinating instructors, instruments, and events for student music education.
- Musical Mentors Collaborative Network — Self-referential membership in its own collaborative network of artists and educators.
- Musical Mentors Collaborative Inc Partner — Provides music instruction through partnerships that support in-person and online lesson delivery.
- Musicly Partner — Provides research on the impact of music education on academic achievement.
- P.S. 145 – The Bloomingdale School Partner — Hosts Musical Mentors Exploration group classes and lessons
- P.S. 164 – Queens Valley School of the Arts Partner — Hosts Musical Mentors Exploration group classes and lessons
- P.S. 66 – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Partner — Hosts Musical Mentors Exploration group classes and lessons
- PBS Kids Partner — Shares resources on the benefits of music education.
- Plaid Partner — Processes ACH donations for Musical Mentors Collaborative to ensure secure and simple payment experiences.
- TIME Partner — Shares findings on how music classes impact brain development in children.
- The Royal Conservatory Partner — Collaborates by sharing research on the benefits of music education.
- USC Today Partner — Provides research on music education and youth wellbeing.
- Virtu.Academy Partner — Partners with Virtu.Academy to deliver Musical Mentors Academy lessons via the Forte Lessons platform, which is provided free to Associate and Principal Mentors.
- Virtu.Academy Partner — Partnership to host online MMA private lessons on the Forte Lessons platform.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Mentorship-Integrated Music Instruction 351 orgsmethodology: mentorship-integrated_music_instructionBy integrating personal mentorship with music education, we support holistic youth development because the dual focus on musical and personal growth strengthens student engagement and long-term outcomes.shared approach: Arts-Based Youth Empowerment →
- Community-Driven Music Education 150 orgsmethodology: community-driven_music_educationBy engaging diverse music educators and community artists in instruction, we broaden artistic representation and deepen community investment because inclusive participation reflects and validates students’ cultural identities.shared approach: Equitable Access Through Barrier Reduction →
- Equity-Centered Access Expansion 150 orgsmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy removing structural and geographic barriers to high-quality music education, we increase access for underserved students because equitable access enables participation regardless of background or location.shared approach: Equitable Access Through Barrier Reduction →
- Student-Centered Mentorship 21 orgsmethodology: student-centered_mentorshipBy tailoring music instruction and mentorship to each student's level, interests, and needs, we foster confidence, curiosity, and sustained engagement because personalized relationships make learning more relevant and transformative.shared approach: Student-Centered Creative Engagement →