Welcome to Music To My Ears - Inspiring Young Musicians and Building Lifelong Passions

Music To My Ears is more than a volunteer program-it's a movement dedicated to giving every child the chance to discover the joy and power of music. Founded in 2009 in response to Hanover County budget cuts that removed strings from the elementary school curriculum, our initiative has grown into a meaningful way for middle and high school musicians to give back to their communities while developing their leadership and teaching skills. We proudly offer free weekly music lessons in guitar, piano, flute, and violin to elementary-aged students. These beginner lessons are taught by passionate and experienced youth volunteers in Hanover County and now in expanded locations like Frederick, Maryland. Our team supervises all sessions, and every lesson is held in a safe, welcoming environment-usually in the homes of our dedicated student-teachers.

Growing Impact Across Communities

Since launching, Music To My Ears has provided instruction on seven different instruments and helped over 150 young learners begin their musical journeys. With more than 2,000 volunteer service hours and increasing every year, our volunteers are not only teaching notes and rhythms-they are inspiring confidence, focus, and creativity.

Why Music Education Matters

Learning music at a young age has profound benefits-cognitive, emotional, and social. For elementary students, early exposure to music can build stronger academic performance, enhance memory, and improve emotional well-being. But just as importantly, it builds a sense of identity and self-worth that stays with children throughout their lives. That`s why Music To My Ears exists: to ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to the beauty and discipline of music.

Music and Academic Journeys

Interestingly, many of our alumni go on to reflect on their experiences with us when they write about their academic goals. One of the most rewarding outcomes we`ve seen is how former students and teachers incorporate their involvement with Music To My Ears into their college applications. A particularly powerful example is writing a college essay about music a chance for students to highlight not only their passion for an instrument, but also the character they`ve developed through teaching or learning. Whether you're a student who learned perseverance through practicing the violin or a volunteer who discovered a love of mentorship, these stories offer genuine, compelling insights for college admissions. We've even shared a guide to help students craft a meaningful college essay about music, inspired by real-life involvement in community-based programs like ours.

Get Involved Today

Whether you're a parent looking for an enriching after-school activity for your child, a student hoping to volunteer, or a community member interested in supporting our mission—we invite you to join us.
  • If you`d like to sign up for lessons, click here.
  • If you`re a middle or high school musician ready to share your skills, become a teacher here.
  • Want to help us expand our instrument fund? Contact us about donations or support opportunities.
Music builds bridges, tells stories, and changes lives. At Music To My Ears, we`re proud to be part of that journey, one lesson at a time.

Music To My Ears is a volunteer organization where middle and high school experienced musicians teach free weekly musical instrument lessons to elementary school-age children. It was started in October of 2009 when Hanover County budget cuts removed the strings program from the elementary school curriculum due to the economic downturn.

In Hanover County, we are offering guitar, piano, flute, and violin beginner lessons this year. We have a team of middle and high school experienced musician that volunteer to teach the elementary school children 30 minute weekly lessons. This program is open to all elementary students in the community.  Lessons are supervised and taught at the teachers' homes. 

We have expanded our program into other states which has allowed us to reach many more youth. Read more about the Frederick, Maryland  location here .

As our eighth session begins in September 2016, we have offered lessons on seven different instruments across our locations. One Hundred and fifty-one youth have benefited from instruction and over 2000 service hours have been given to our communities. Recently, we have started an outreach to provide instruments to those children that have been unable to participate because they do not have a practice instrument. So far, I have raised $15,700 to be used to buy or rent instruments. You may learn more here.
 
Many of our students have gone on to take music in middle school or lessons with professional teachers.  We have even had some teachers start another instrument as the result of their involvement with the program. 

Please remember to check out Announcement page for current updates.

If you are interested in being taught an instrument, click here.
If you would like to become a teacher, click here.