USC School of Music celebrates first recipients of Music Teaching Artist Certificate
June 9, 2025
In response to South Carolina’s critical shortage of music educators and limited access to instrumental instruction in public schools, the University of South Carolina School of Music has launched an innovative program to bridge the gap. The Music Teaching Artist Certificate (MTAC) program, now completing its first year, equips musicians with the skills and experience needed to support music education across the state.
On Monday, June 16 at 4 p.m., twelve participants from the inaugural MTAC cohort will be recognized during a certificate presentation ceremony in the School of Music Recital Hall. Since January 2025, the group has taken part in monthly sessions—both in person and online—designed to prepare them to inspire and educate students of all ages and backgrounds. Their training included developing engaging, age-appropriate music lessons, connecting with community and school networks, and gaining hands-on experience with inclusive teaching strategies.
Fred and Dinah Gretsch, founders and long-standing champions of music education, will be honored during the event. As owners of the iconic Gretsch Company—renowned worldwide for its legacy of drums and guitars—they generously funded scholarships for the program’s first cohort, helping shape a more musically rich and equitable future for South Carolina’s students.
