Teacher Certification

Our Music Teacher Development Track

Industry Leading for Your Peace of Mind

How Our 5-level Certification Program Works

Did you know private music teachers don’t have to be certified or licensed to teach music? And studios don't have to be either. They can hire whoever they want without regard to degrees or experience. You can check if your teacher has a music degree. But a music degree is actually a poor indicator of whether a musician is a good teacher, which we’ve written about here. So, it’s really hard for students to decipher which qualifications matter, and which teacher will be right when it comes to their specific needs.

Musicolologie teachers are different because they ARE certified. The Musicologie Teacher Certification is our one-of-a-kind 5-level certification program that highlights the experience, professional development, and leadership of each of our teachers.

We created the Musicologie Teacher Certification so you know your Musicologie teacher has the right skills to lead you on your musical journey. We are totally transparent about what training they’ve had, and what experience they’ll bring to your lessons. This includes professional development that only Musicologie offers to address frequent blinds spots, like our Training for Teaching Kids Age 4-7, which addresses the lack of experience with kids that many otherwise well qualified teachers have. Or our Diversity Equity and Inclusion Workshops covering topics like LGTBQ sensitivity, neurodiversity and racial equity.

Because our teachers are certified, you can be confident Musicologie Chattanooga has the perfect teacher for you. If you do a first lesson with a teacher and decide the match isn't perfect, you can try a lesson with any other teacher for free until you find the right one. That’s our Perfect Match Promise.

Level M1 Certification

Experience Requirements

Background Check
At least 5 years specific training on their instrument
Has passed the Musicologie audition process
Bachelors in performance/education OR is an experienced professional musician

Professional Development Requirements

Completed Musicologie Teacher Training
Completed Student-Centered Learning Training
Completed Training for Teaching Ages 4-7

Level M2 Certification

Experience Requirements

Background Check
At least 5 years specific training on their instrument
Bachelors in performance/education OR is an experienced professional musician
At least 250 teaching hours OR a Masters/Doctorate in performance or pedagogy

Professional Development Requirements

Completed Musicologie Teacher Training
Completed Student-Centered Learning Training
Attends at least one Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop per year

Level M3 Certification

Experience Requirements

Background Check
At least 5 years specific training on their instrument
Bachelors in performance/education OR is an experienced professional musician
750 teaching hours, at least 500 of which are at Musicologie OR 250 teaching hours at Musicologie and a Masters/Doctorate in performance or pedagogy.

Professional Development Requirements

Completed Musicologie Teacher Training
Completed Training for Teaching Ages 4-7
Attends at least one Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop per year
15 hours shadowing or being observed by an M3-M5 Musicologie teacher

Level M4 Certification

Experience Requirements

Background Check
At least 5 years specific training on their instrument
Bachelors in performance/education OR is an experienced professional musician
2000 teaching hours, at least 1000 of which are at Musicologie OR 1000 teaching hours at least 500 of which are at Musicologie and a Masters/Doctorate in performance or pedagogy

Leadership Requirements

Developed a group class curriculum OR has published a music education article
10 hours mentoring other Musicologie teachers

Professional Development Requirements

Completed Musicologie Teacher Training
Completed Training for Teaching Ages 4-7
Attends at least one Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop per year
15 hours shadowing or being observed by an M3-M5 Musicologie teacher

Level M5 Certification

Experience Requirements

Background Check
At least 5 years specific training on their instrument
Bachelors in performance/education OR is an experienced professional musician
3,000 teaching hours, at least 2,000 of which are at Musicologie

Leadership Requirements

Developed a group class curriculum OR has published a music education article
Published a music education article
20 hours mentoring other Musicologie teachers
At least two community performances per year of M5 Certification

Professional Development Requirements

Completed Musicologie Teacher Training
Completed Training for Teaching Ages 4-7
Teaches at least two instruments
Attends at least one Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop per year
Attends at least one professional music or education conference, event or class per year
Maintains at least one professional affiliation, such as OMEA, NATS, RCM, Voice Association, PAVA, MTNA
At least one additional music performance or education certification such as a Masters Degree in performance/pedagogy, Doctorate in performance/pedagogy, Suzuki, Orff/Kodaly, Musicologie Junior, Music Together, LoVetri Somatic Voicework, Shenandoah CCM, Certificate Singing Health Specialization, Artist Diploma, Professional Studies Diploma