Turtle Tunes Music Outreach


The Turtle Tunes program is committed to making extra-curricular music lessons inclusive, accessible, and affordable to local 3rd graders at Todd Elementary School.

Turtle Tunes students stand together with their instruments.

This creative outlet provides all students a safe space to build self-esteem, practice responsibility and develop a love for music.

At a glance

A Turtle Tunes teacher shows a student the proper hand position for a violin.

  • Lessons in violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano & percussion (instrument options vary) are taught by Beloit College students who work weekly with Beloit College instructors. 
  • Elementary students who participate receive two lessons per week for eight weeks culminating in a recital.
  • Lessons and instrument rental are completely free to participants.
  • Elementary students have the option to continue in the spring semester of their 3rd grade year if they started in the fall.
  • Beloit College students can engage with their local community, develop skills, and make meaningful connections

Getting involved

As a participant (3rd grader)

Parents of 3rd grade students at Todd Elementary should be in touch with their child’s classroom teacher and/or Mary Ellen Fuentes at the beginning of a new school year. 

As a teacher (college student)

Beloit College students may enroll in this special projects course by contacting a program coordinator.

The course is 0.5 credit and is a LAP 1 experience.

A Turtle Tunes recital.

Additional information

Contact program coordinators

Mary Gaines

Mary Gaines

Co-Director Creative Strings Collective, Turtle Tunes, Instructor of Music, cello, guitar
Office: Hendricks Center for the Arts #221
Chris Wagoner

Chris Wagoner

Co-Director Creative Strings Collective, Turtle Tunes, Instructor of Music, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele
Office: Hendricks Center for the Arts #221

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