Tahoe-Truckee Youth Music Program

Students Teaching Students

Experiencing significant growth in its eighth year, the Tahoe-Truckee Youth Music Program (TTYMP), fills a void of music education for elementary students. The free program provides private after-school music lessons and use of musical instruments to youth in the Truckee Elementary School grades 3 to 5, with focus on low-income households. High school student volunteers, under the direction of a program administrator and student director, work directly with the students as they develop their skills playing piano, violin, flute, clarinet, trombone and trumpet. Based on volunteer hours, student teachers receive scholarships upon graduation.

Upon graduation from the program, elementary students who display exceptional dedication to continue playing are eligible for free private instruction underwritten by the festival. The festival extends additional educational opportunities to high school student teachers by offering private summer music instruction and/or band camp tuition.

Laurel Barchas was the visionary of TTYMP and first volunteer to teach this program as a sophomore band student at the Truckee High School in 2002. LTMF's TTYMP Program Administrator Jan Sturtevant manages the program. Contact the festival for more information. 

Testimonials from Students and Teachers

"My name is Nicole Tanner. I was a piano teacher for the Truckee Youth Music Program in 2007 and am now studying music performance at the University of California - Davis. The Truckee Youth Music Program is a fantastic program to help children who cannot afford lessons or an instrument of their own to inspire and keep alive their musical dreams. The children who I taught in this program could not have been more thankful for the opportunity to learn music on their instruments of choice, and I couldn't have been happier to teach them. If not for the Tahoe Truckee Youth Music Program, many children who attend Truckee Elementary would be unable to try to learn how to play the piano, violin, trumpet, clarinet, or any of the instruments that TYMP offers, simply because of financial restraints. I feel confident in saying that TTYMP, in the few years that it has existed, has changed many children's lives, and I feel extremely privileged that I had the opportunity to be a part of it".

Thank you!

Nicole Tanner, High School Student Teacher

It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as the TTYMP Program Administrator here at Truckee Elementary. The enthusiasm from the kids is a sight to behold! TTYMP currently offers lessons in piano, violin, flute, trumpet, and trombone.

Many of the TTYMP students are children who come from families who otherwise could not afford to take music lessons or music appreciation and education. They come to my music classroom immediately after school, extremely anxious for their lessons to begin. It is my job to take attendance and provide leadership and or guidance wherever I can – often times I find myself in the ‘tutor’ position helping with math and reading as kids are waiting for their lesson to begin.

During lessons and in every classroom I visit, the kids are thoroughly engaged with their high school teachers. You can actually feel the level of excitement as they are learning their chosen instrument. They frequently talk about their lessons to me in my own music classes or when they see me in the hall.

The high school teachers are thoroughly competent and respectful, taking their jobs very seriously. We have 10 piano students and unlike the other instruments, the teachers refused to double up their lessons so the two piano teachers stay an extra hour to accommodate the children. They do so with such dedication. Ruby Xochihua is a piano teacher and also the high school student director. She teaches in my room and is so inspiring to watch. Her patience, skill, and positive energy (lots of laughter and smiles) is impressive. These high school students set quite an example and offer extraordinary mentorship for my elementary students.

I cannot say enough about this inspirational program. TTYMP is like no other program in the community or on the Lake and the students realize and appreciate the extraordinary opportunity they have been given. Not only is music an integral factor in academic achievement, this program benefits elementary students, high school students, parents, and the community.

Jan Sturtevant – TYMP Program Administrator