Leaders Fellowship

A national, six-month professional learning experience for leaders who support and develop music Teaching Artists

OVERVIEW

Support your Teaching Artists. Connect with a national community. Lead with intention.

TATI’s Leaders Fellowship brings together up to 25 professionals who supervise, mentor, and support music Teaching Artists for a six-month learning experience that connects leadership development with everyday practice.

Designed for those working in community music and El Sistema-inspired programs, the Fellowship helps participants strengthen their skills as supervisors, support Teaching Artists’ growth, and build environments where educators and students can thrive.

From January through June, Fellows engage in a dynamic cycle of learning, application, and reflection, exploring topics such as:

Instructional Leadership
Equity-Centered Supervision
Managing People and Peers
Navigating Difficult Conversations

Through live, virtual workshops with experienced faculty, Fellows explore practical approaches to observing teaching, offering meaningful feedback, navigating workplace relationships, and supporting their teams with intention and care.

Monthly small-group discussions provide a consistent space to work through challenges, exchange ideas, and build supportive peer relationships. Guided by a dedicated discussion leader and mentor, Fellows connect what they are learning to their own roles and organizational contexts.

The experience culminates in an in-person Learning Retreat in Miami, where Fellows deepen their learning through collaborative workshops, reflection, and shared practice alongside a national community committed to strengthening music education.

Throughout the Fellowship, participants develop the skills, relationships, and confidence to support the people at the heart of their programs: their Teaching Artists.

"This training has made me feel incredibly more confident. I feel like now I am a leader and can lead my team."

Pilot Member

2026 Leaders Fellow

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

week 1: Learning lecture

Explore a core leadership topic in a live, interactive workshop with expert faculty. Build practical strategies for supervising, mentoring, and supporting Teaching Artists.

week 2: Application & Reflection

Put new approaches into practice within your organization. Reflect on your leadership habits, identify challenges, and bring questions to your peer group.

week 3: Peer Discussion Groups

Connect with a small, consistent group of Fellows, facilitated by a respected leader in the field. Share experiences, work through challenges, and deepen your learning through peer exchange and mentorship.

week 4: Integration & Continued Practice

Apply insights from your peer discussion to your work. Refine your approach, reflect on what you are learning, and identify next steps for supporting your Teaching Artists.

Program cost

All accepted Leaders Fellows receive a full program scholarship valued at $6,500.

If accepted into the program, a $250 refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. This deposit will be fully refunded in July 2027 following successful completion of the Fellowship. The deposit can be paid by either the Leader or their sponsoring organization. Deposits are due at the time of acceptance, not with the application.

program commitment

The Leaders Fellowship is a six-month program running from January through June 2027, centered on live, interactive learning and applied leadership practice.

Fellows participate in virtual faculty-led workshops and monthly small-group discussions, totaling approximately 24 hours of live learning, alongside opportunities to apply new approaches within their own teams and reflect on their leadership practice.

Fellows are also required to attend the weeklong, in-person Capstone Learning Retreat in Miami, June 20–26, 2027, deepening their learning through collaborative workshops, peer connections, and shared reflection.

“What sets this training apart is its relevance to our everyday work and the shared experiences of the people in the Cohort. Although our programs look different, we face many of the same challenges around consistency and accountability. That common ground allowed us to dig deeply into those issues and develop solutions that work across different programs and organizations.”

Shanna Lin

Director, Paterson Music Project, Pilot Leaders Fellow

HOW TO APPLY

Up to 25 Fellows are selected. Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration given to alignment with TATI’s Core Values, a demonstrated commitment to professional growth, and the applicant’s role in supervising and supporting Teaching Artists.