Yale Undergraduate Music Mentorship Initiative

Empowering New Haven students through weekly 1-on-1 music lessons

What is YUMMI?

Yale Undergraduate Music Mentorship Initiative (YUMMI, prounounced “you-me”) is a new student-led organization dedicated to expanding access to music education for New Haven youth. Founded on the belief that music is a powerful tool for creativity and community, YUMMI connects Yale student musicians with local public school students for personalized, one-on-one instruction.

Through weekly in-person or virtual sessions, Yale musicians work directly with students to supplement their school music programs. These sessions serve as a bridge between classroom instruction and individual growth—Yale musicians act as mentors, offering guidance on technique, interpretation, and performance. Beyond supporting what students learn in school, YUMMI empowers each student to learn at their own pace and follow their individual musical interests.

Two young people sitting on white folding chairs, smiling and playing guitar together in a hallway, with an orange backpack on the floor nearby. They are in a room with a gray wall decorated with posters and a red exit sign below them.

Impact in New Haven

YUMMI is partnered with Worthington Hooker’s after-school programs, and is currently developing partnerships with other programs as well. By pairing Yale’s vibrant community of musicians with the next generation of artists in New Haven, YUMMI strives to nurture musical skill, inspire creativity, and build lasting connections.

YUMMI offers instruction across a wide range of instruments and disciplines, including voice, string instruments (viola, violin, cello, piano, bass, and guitar—both acoustic and electric), woodwinds (flute/piccolo, clarinet, saxophone), brass (trombone), and percussion (drums). Our students grow not only as musicians, but also as students and leaders, discovering the role music can play in their lives and communities.

Two children in a music classroom talking, one holding a flute, with a music stand and chairs behind them; door open to brightly lit art-filled room.

Join YUMMI!

Parents

If you are interested in music mentoring for your child, please fill out the YUMMI Mentee Sign Up Form and we will reach out once we pair you with one of our mentors.