Mattock School of Music

At the Mattock School of Music, we offer more than just music lessons.  We provide a supportive environment for students interested in pursuing a career in music. Through close mentorship, career exploration tracts, and integration with related fields like digital media and performance arts, we help students discover diverse industry paths while fostering life skills and creative growth. Our dedicated instructors, strong community ties, and hands-on opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships set us apart, creating a nurturing micro-community where students and teachers grow together.

A few hypothetical pathways based on real life examples: 

Example 1

A student begins with piano lessons as a child and develops an early interest in music and instrument building. By age 15, they start apprenticing in piano tuning and guitar repair, eventually gaining hands-on experience through client visits and minor repair work. By age 20, they launch a guitar repair business, and continue playing piano professionally.

Example 2

A student begins with drum lessons and joins MSOM rock bands, later developing an interest in audio engineering at age 15. Through internships at a local venue and our studio, they gain experience in live sound, recording, and DJing. By age 20, they work as a recording engineer, gig regularly, run a local DJ business, and continue performing as a drummer. 

Example 3

A student begins guitar and violin lessons early and quickly reaches a high level of musicianship. With an interest in teaching, they are mentored by an MSOM instructor and start offering affordable lessons, gaining experience while making income in their field. After earning a music therapy degree, they continue teaching and performing, entering their career with over a decade of performance experience and a solid foundation of private students. 

Contact us if you or your child are interested in learning more about being an apprentice or one of our mentees

Mentorship Testimonials

“Getting to know Dave, not only as a teacher, but mentor, and friend, has been a great experience. From the time I met him at the Kennett Flash Jazz Jam Session, I realized quickly how big of a part he played in the development of the music community of Kennett and more. Those sessions served as a place for me to get performance experience with highly seasoned professionals. That was an education in and of itself. After being introduced to organ music by Dave through that session, I fell in love with the music. I then began to take organ lessons for a short time. Not only is Dave an excellent teacher of the organ, but he also gives you a historical context of the music you focus on. He also breaks down the theoretical aspect of music in a way that is easily digestible. He’s one of few musical mentors that garnered my interest in Temple’s Jazz program, where I currently study drumset today. We have gigged multiple times together, and he’s a big reason why I pursued this craft.” 

-Dan Ciccone, Temple University Jazz Program

“My experience at Mattock School of Music has played a big role in helping me grow as a musician and prepare for my future in the music business. The private lessons have helped me strengthen my musicianship, music theory knowledge, and understanding of more complex music aspects. The supportive environment and dedicated teaching have opened up new opportunities for me and helped me feel more confident about pursuing music in college and beyond. I’m very grateful for everything I’ve learned here.”

– Kolton Mavrelos

“I’ve truly loved the MSOM mentorship program. Throughout this experience, I’ve gained valuable skills in sound technology, live music production, piano technology, and teaching. Beyond the technical knowledge, I’ve grown significantly both as a person and as a musician. This program has been instrumental in my development, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and evolve in such a supportive environment. 10/10 program!” 

-Ben Tozzo

“Teaching piano lessons through the Mentorship Program was the most valuable experience I had in high school, both as a lifelong musician and as a future health professional. Dave Mattock taught me more than how to teach major scales; he taught me how to meet kids where they’re at, putting the relationship above anything like technical improvement — an approach that I’ve used as an EMT, volunteer, and person. I also developed crucial skills like professional communication and time management, all while building unforgettable relationships with the families and passing on the gift of music.”

-Max Lim, Eugene du Pont Scholar at the University of Delaware

“MSOM really provides students with quality education, whatever their musical discipline is. I studied both classical violin with Sophie Fortunado and jazz saxophone with Tyrone Fredericks Jr. Both of my teachers, who I developed a strong bond with, prioritized not only my technical development, but my interest in music. I first became interested in playing jazz after seeing how excited my teacher was just talking about it, and now it's all I want to do. MSOM provides resources outside of private lessons. For me, the school was a rehearsal space for small ensembles, and a place to just jam with my friends. I was also fortunate enough to be able to record college auditions at the school, as well as go through a mock audition that really helped me prepare for my Temple audition. I, now a senior in high school, plan to attend Temple University, majoring in Jazz Performance.”

-Ania Murphy, class of 2026

"The Mattock School of Music is an amazing place that truly stands out. What impressed me the most was how they treat each musician as an individual, not just as a dollar sign. I teach gifted students, and recently I reached out to Dave Mattock to meet with some of my students who were thinking about a music career. Even with his busy schedule, Dave made time to sit down with them and walk them through, step by step, what it takes to succeed in the music industry, from finances to performance, and the realities they’ll face along the way. Watching him share his knowledge and experience, guiding my students through real-world opportunities and even college planning, was eye-opening, not just for my students, but for me as a teacher too. If you’re unsure how to help your child navigate a future in music, I can’t recommend Dave highly enough."

 - Jon Zimmerman (High School Teacher)