Here are the program guidelines:
- Consult with other local players and assemble a group who are interested in having lessons and willing to make a one-year (4-visit) commitment to the program.
- Select a teacher from the list of participants (teachers who have agreed to make the same kind of commitment to you) and contact that teacher directly. Our list of teachers will include their nearest airport, so that you can factor in the convenience of travel.
- Contact the teacher and set up a schedule of 4 visits to take place between September and June.
- Agree to guarantee a minimum of 10 hours of teaching at $50/hour for each 2-day visit; this time could be used for private lessons, group coaching, master classes, and/or beginner sessions. (Note: Your group can decide to divvy the payments up as they see fit, but must provide the teacher with a minimum $500 per visit.)
- Arrange to provide local transportation, housing, and food for the Circuit Rider during each visit.
Here's what you'll get from the program:
- A grant of up to $2000 for the year ($500/visit) to cover the Circuit Rider's long-distance travel. (Additional funds are available for communities that can "piggy-back" their visits so that the teacher can make one multi-destination trip.)
- A structured and individualized lesson-plan for each participant, with phone or email follow-up available between visits.
- Coaching for any size or level of group, on music chosen by you or provided by your instructor.
- A choice of teachers who are committed to the goals of the program.
- An hourly rate below the national average.
Here are the teachers who have enlisted in the program so far:
| Teacher | City | Airport Code |
|---|---|---|
| Rebekah Ahrendt | San Francisco | SFO/SJC/OAK |
| Rachel Cama-Lekx | Cleveland | CLE |
| Tina Chancey | Washington DC | WAS |
| Julie Elhard | Minneapolis/St. Paul | MSP |
| Wendy Gillespie | Bloomington, IN | BMI |
| Jane Hershey | Rindge, NH | Manchester |
| Lisle Kulbach | Boston/New York | BOS/NYC |
| Carol Lewis | Boston | BOS |
| Elizabeth Macdonald | St. Louis | STL |
| Betsy MacMillan | Montreal | YUL |
| Sarah Mead | Boston | BOS/PVD |
| Ros Morley | New York | NYC |
| David Morris | San Francisco | SFO/OAK |
| Joëlle Morton | Toronto | YYZ |
| Annalisa Pappano | Cincinnati | CVG/DAY |
| Alice Renken | San Diego | CLD/SAN |
| Lesley Retzer | Long Island | ISP/NYC |
| Gail Ann Schroeder | Asheville | AVL/CLT/GSP |
| Phillip Serna | Chicago | CHI |
| Elin Soderstom | Montreal | YUL |
| Mary Springfels | Cerrillos, NM | SAF/ABQ |
| Carolyn Surrick | Baltimore | BWI |
| Craig Trompeter | Chicago | ORD |
How to apply
Download the application form here and send the completed form to Chrissy Spencer:
- by email (as a scanned attachment): chrissy.c.spencer@gmail.com
- or by regular mail (hard copy):
Chrissy Spencer
198 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Unit 7C
Atlanta, GA 30308-1959
The deadline for applications is June 30 each year.
For information about applications, contact Chrissy Spencer.
For general information about the Circuit Rider Program, contact Sarah Mead.