Morristown Teen Giving Free Music Lessons For Students In Need

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown High School senior will soon teach music to students around the nation. Patrick Schneider will join with Berklee College of Music students to offer virtual lessons to nearly 200 kids throughout the United States.

Schneider, a pianist, is set to teach two classes on the weekends starting mid-March. He answered a call to action from POWER, a Morris Plains nonprofit that helps low-income, minority and underserved communities. One of their newest initiatives — iPlay® — came in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on remote learning and access to the arts.

"Many children in remote learning environments have COVID fatigue," said POWER President Penny Lopez. "Of these remote learners, many are from low-income and minority households that would never have the opportunity to play an instrument which studies have shown increase academic performance."

Schneider has nearly 10 years of experience playing music and will donate instruction on the keyboard. The program will also offer classes for clarinet, flute, stringed guitar, saxophone and violin.

"When I learned of iPlay®," Schneider said, "I immediately wanted to help, especially during these times, having the ability to offer my love of music, and sharing it with those in need."

Students from New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida and California will receive free instruments, along with 12-week virtual lessons. Donations are still needed to meet the demand for classes, which are tentatively scheduled to begin March 15. Click here to donate.

Donors who pledge and purchase or rent instruments will also receive admission to the session-end performance set for June. The program will also accept donations through PayPal to raise the $15,000 for remaining program and technology costs, plus volunteer stipends.

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