“As a teacher and guitar mentor in Santa Fe Public Schools for many years, I have never experienced a year when our Mentor Program was more necessary. The challenge of teaching large music classes online has been exhausting for students and teachers. Teaching an online guitar class of 20+ students is like trying to give 20 private guitar lessons in 50 minutes. Mentors have been able to come to these classes and lighten the load for teachers by taking students into breakout rooms and giving them the individual instruction and attention they need to progress. It will be some time before school returns to normal. The Symphony’s Mentor Program provides vital assistance to our students and teachers in this time of crisis. I am personally asking all who are able to donate to this music education program to do so. Let’s keep our mentor program going strong when we need it the most!”

—Pat Malone, Santa Fe Symphony Guitar Mentor