PRIVATE LESSON ASSISTANCE for YOUTH (PLAY)
The Asheville Symphony PLAY program is established to fill the need created by the elimination of the string program at Asheville Middle School. It provides private lesson assistance to string students at Asheville Middle School (AMS) and Asheville High School (AHS), regardless of their affiliation with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO).
This program is administered by the Asheville Symphony as part of the Education Department’s broader mission to ensure access to high-quality music instruction throughout the community.
ELIGIBILITY
- Be currently enrolled at Asheville Middle School or Asheville High School.
- Have previously been enrolled in classroom strings OR be a rising sixth grade student who was planning on enrolling in classroom strings.
- Possess a willingness to study a string instrument with a private instructor through regular weekly lessons.
- Have a household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) ($132,000.00 for a family of four) or have extenuating circumstances.*
- ASYO membership is not required.
Documentation: the first page of the family’s most recent Form 1040 is the standard documentation requested. Alternative documentation and extenuating circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis.
* Extenuating circumstances will be considered, so we encourage any families that need help affording lessons to apply, regardless of household income.
FUNDING STRUCTURE
Assistance amounts are based on the published 45-minute private lesson rate at the Academy for the Arts (AFTA): $55.00 per lesson; however, students are free to choose any qualified private instructor or area music school. The program uses a two-tier sliding scale, determined by household income relative to the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).
- Sustaining (Tier A): Open to any family who earns 285% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Families are eligible for 75% of lesson cost coverage with a $165/month cap.
- Supporting (Tier B): Open to any family who earns 286% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Families are eligible for 45% of lesson cost coverage with a $99/month cap.
At full (weekly) lesson frequency — four lessons per month, $220.00 total monthly cost — the tiers calculate as follows:
- Sustaining (Tier A): If the monthly lesson cost is $220, the program will pay $165 and the family will pay $55.
- Supporting (Tier B): If the monthly lesson cost is $220, the program will pay $99, and the family will pay $121.
Families are responsible for the remaining portion of lesson cost not covered by the program, reflecting a shared commitment to the student’s continued private study.
PAYMENT
- Assistance is paid directly to the instructor/music school — there is no reimbursement model for families.
TERM & RENEWAL
- Assistance covers September thru May (8 months); summer months are not included.
- One application covers the entire 8-month term — no monthly or semester re-application is required.
- Two unexcused no-call/no-show lesson absences will result in the discontinuation of assistance for the remainder of the school year. Families in this circumstance must reapply the following year.
VERIFICATION & ATTENDANCE
Instructors confirm lesson attendance directly with Sarah Fowler, ASYO Project Manager, prior to or at the time of monthly payment.
APPLICATION
A standalone application is used for this program, modeled after the Greenville County Youth Orchestra (GCYO) lesson assistance application format.
Note – you will need the first page of your 1040 or alternate proof of income for this application.
PLAY is funded with generous support from:
Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker
With additional support from:
Anonymous (3)
Joshua Aaronson
Frederic Arnold
Beverly Briedis
Gary and Patty Coleman
Dr. Bolling Farmer
Michael J. Grillot
Jessica and Steve Honigberg
Jim and Mary Kirby
Carol and Hugh McCollum
Amy McGuire and Brian Wallace
Vicki Richards
Jacquelyn and Bruce Rogow
Sarah Van Gunten
SUPPORT PLAY
Support These Efforts with a Tax-Deductible Gift
Your gift to PLAY provides the funds directly needed to make private music lessons accessible for the students in our community that have lost access to in-school music instruction.
