College Track Mentorship Program

The Dorothy A. Terrell College Track Mentorship Program (CTMP) provides a pathway for up to 10 classical music students (grades 8-12) from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds to continue their music education.

Through the program, each student is matched with a NWS Fellow who provides 20-25 lessons per season and assists the student in selecting and acquiring a new instrument and accessories as needed. Students also receive assistance and resources to apply to any college, conservatory, or music program of their choice. The CTMP is completely free of charge for students.

For more information contact:

Elyse Marrero, Director of Community and Equity Impact - elyse.marrero@nws.edu

Daniel Rivera, College Track Mentorship Program Manager - daniel.rivera@nws.edu

The 2026-27 CTMP Application deadline was July 31, 2026.

Download CTMP Student Handbook

Download CTMP Brochure

2026-27 CTMP Participants

12th grade, Piano

Moises Barroeta

“I will always be grateful for all the opportunities CTMP has presented me with. Allowing me to completely focus on my passion for music, and providing an environment in which not only am I next to musicians alike, but letting creativity and inspiration flow, is honestly just incredible. I’m very excited to break into a new season in my life, with my mentor, and be set on a path where I can pursue and share something I truly love, music.”

12th grade, Percussion

Darian Duron

“I am excited to begin my process with CTMP. I aspire to gain new experiences and reach new levels I have desired to reach for a long time. The opportunities that this program has given me will not be taken for granted. I am very grateful to CTMP for giving me the ability to have private lessons with mentors and tools that are essential to embark on my career as a musician. Working with people who are also interested in music just as much as I, can help me grow and am also given the inspiration by other to guide myself towards the path I want to go to. I am glad to be part of this program and will continue to move forward.”

12th grade, Tuba

Alias Asse

“CTMP bridges the gap between my dreams and reality. It connects me with mentors who’ve walked this path, provides guidance I couldn’t find anywhere else, and opens doors to opportunities that push my career forward. With this program, I don’t just imagine the next step, I’m able to take it.”

11th grade, Cello

Michal Karlin

“I am very excited to be joining CTMP. The College Track Mentorship Program is opening doors to so many musical opportunities for me, and being in this program will truly help me focus and pursue my passion for music. Being in an environment around so many good musicians and getting to work with my mentor will openly help me grow as a musician, as well as a person. I am looking forward to being part of CTMP and pursuing what I love to do most, which is making music.”

10th grade, Flute

Fabian Cornonado

“During the summer of 2024, I applied for and got accepted into the College Track Mentorship Program. Fast forward one year, and I am currently starting my second year in this program, now with more musical experience, technique, and passion than ever before. I look forward to seeing how my flute playing and composition skills evolve over the course of this year. Thanks to the lessons, masterclasses, and several performance opportunities this program offers, I am confident that I, along with my peers, will go far.”

2026-27 Mentors

Pei-Hsuan Shen, NWS Piano Fellow

Jack Rutledge, NWS Percussion Fellow

Benjamin Liberti, NWS Tuba Fellow

Shannon Ross, NWS Cello Fellow

Lyric Rivera, NWS Flute Fellow

Why is this important for the students?

NWS offers lessons to those students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to work with a private music teacher. Students chosen for this program are each matched with a Fellow who will provide 20-25 lessons per season (NWS seasons are from September to May) completely free of charge.
Students learn crowdsourcing, networking and fundraising skills to help raise money to purchase a high-quality instrument. This process will help the students understand the fundraising process.
As each student enters their junior and senior years of high school, NWS will provide logistical and monetary support to facilitate the college/music school application and audition process.
Students perform multiple times a year through a series of juries created to foster a learning environment and celebrate their accomplishments at an end-of-the-year recital.

Why is this important for the Fellows and New World Symphony?

- Experience teaching and mentoring advanced middle- and high-school students
- Learn to be an effective advocate for young musicians of color
- Gain increased awareness of the road to conservatory and university for students from underrepresented backgrounds
- Work with professionals who expand their pedagogical knowledge
Community Engagement is integral to the New World Symphony fellowship experience and a core part of our curriculum. Through training and application of skills in practice, Fellows develop engagement techniques to interact with community members of all ages from diverse backgrounds. The Dorothy A. Terrell College Track Mentorship Program is committed to providing students tools for a lifetime of success by providing an inclusive range of services free of charge.

CTMP Alumni

Violin

Ayra Karlin

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue in the New World Symphony College Track Mentorship Program. This program has provided exceptional opportunities and resources to help me improve as a violinist while preparing me for the next steps in my college and professional music journey. Through weekly lessons and various performance opportunities, I have gained valuable experience and built meaningful connections that will support my future goals. Working with my mentor, Morgan, has been a rewarding and impactful experience, and I am excited to continue growing both as a musician and as a person in this program.”
Cello

Ethan Alvarez

“I am incredibly excited to spend my last year here at CTMP. I look forward to the countless opportunities that it’ll provide me and I’m grateful for everything that CTMP and New World has given me. The experiences that this program has provided me have been life changing. ”
Horn

Laura Mancebo

“I am incredibly enthusiastic to begin my journey with CTMP. The musical opportunities and experiences that this program has to offer are truly inspiring and unique, and I’m eager to make the most of each of them. By being alongside a group of musicians equally as dedicated as me, as well as working with the esteemed New World Symphony fellows and faculty, I look forward to making vast improvements in my playing and reaching new heights in my overall musicianship.”
Trombone

Alexander Ramirez

“I’m grateful to be part of the New World Symphony CTMP because it connects me with inspiring mentors who guide my growth as both a musician and student. This opportunity motivates me to push my limits, dream bigger, and prepare for a successful future.”

Dorothy A. Terrell College Track Mentorship Program

The 2026-27 CTMP Application deadline was July 31, 2026.

2026-27 CTMP Participants

Moises Barroeta

Darian Duron

Alias Asse

Michal Karlin

Fabian Cornonado

Why is this important for the students?

Customized Plan for College or Conservatory Admission

Lessons

Summer Festivals

Instrument/Supply Purchase

Master Classes and Workshops

Rehearsal Observation/Concert Attendance

Conservatory/University Research and Audition Tour Support

Performance Opportunities

Why is this important for the Fellows and New World Symphony?

For the Fellows

For New World Symphony

CTMP Alumni

Ayra Karlin

Ethan Alvarez

Laura Mancebo

Alexander Ramirez