Music Immersion 
a better way to become a musician   

"Immersion:  instruction based on extensive exposure to surroundings or conditions that are native or pertinent to the object or study; especially, foreign language instruction in which only the language being taught is used." Merriam-Webster.com 

It takes more than a series 30- or 45-minute weekly lessons to become a musician. Immersion provides the best chance for a student or emerging artist to connect with music and the wider community in a meaningful and sustained way.  This is the founding and guiding principle of the CMC Atlanta GAP and ART programs.    

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Piano lessons include performance opportunities
GAP 
Gap Year and Apprenticeship Programs for young adults

It's no secret, college is very expensive.  it's also obvious to clear thinking folks that not every high school graduate is ready to enroll in college immediately. Sometimes a year spent doing something valuable or personally meaningful is the ideal last step in college prep.  Some college graduates or undergraduates also need a year off before continuing studies or moving on to grad school or into the work force.  And frankly, many creative and talented people are better off not going to college at all.  The latter statement is a bold, maybe even radical proposition, but it's one worth considering.  

We developed our Gap and Apprenticeship Program (GAP) for young adults who love music, who want to explore musical creativity and performance deeply,

who would like to be part of a musical community, and who may be interested in community service, but for whatever reason, are not enrolled in college or university degree-granting studies, musical or otherwise.  For young adult musicians, outside of expensive college programs or often under resourced and limited home studios or music stores, there aren't many exciting options.  

GAP fills that space.  The CMC Atlanta Gap Year and Apprenticeship Program immerses the student in our diverse community of practicing musicians and music educators.  Students can enroll for a term, an academic year, or even for two, three or more years.

Under the guidance of CMC Atlanta Director and co-founder Phil Sims, who was a student and then award winning teacher at the top ranked Eastman School of Music, and then subsequently a music professor at Mercer University and Emory University, GAP students are enrolled in a schedule comprised of lessons, classes, small ensemble rehearsals and more. Students meet with CMC faculty on an individually crafted schedule, usually each day of the week in the morning or early afternoon for training and coaching, and they also use Center space for practice and rehearsal between classes, appointments and also during evening and weekend off hours. CMC Atlanta GAP provides the chance for students to dig into their musical studies without the pressure of expensive per credit courses or grades .  GAP also offers a variety of opportunities to perform traditional or new music in venues around Atlanta, both large and small, in formal and informal arrangements.     

CMC Atlanta is comprised of teachers, players and writers who hail from many parts of the globe, from across the musical universe, and whose musical interests and backgrounds span modern art music to jazz standards to traditional rock and folk.  This means GAP students can cultivate their musical voices as classical, jazz, rock or folk musicians by working with faculty who have dedicated themselves to their own musical craft and also to teaching.   Because of the diversity of interests in our community, GAP also supports both traditional and modern approaches to these styles. 

For students who are interested in collegiate music studies, but not quite ready, or not quite sure what school to attend, GAP provides guidance and resources essential to preparing.  GAP helps students cultivate skills, concepts, prep audition repertoire and build a music portfolio or resume.  Our faculty have graduated from a variety of top conservatories and many different local and regional colleges and universities, which gives us some experience to help us reach our goal for the college bound musician: we want to help match the GAP student with the right program, the one that is best for the student's interests and both short and long term goals.   

In addition to training and performance, GAP offers other exciting opportunities.  We have a limited number of paid internships for GAP students.  Opportunities range from facility management and upkeep, administrative support, to camp counselor and teaching assistant.  For GAP students who are interested in music outreach and social change, we work to establish community service projects based around music.  Over the years, we've collaborated with organizations like the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, the Global Village School, Grady High School to offer under served children free instruction, and we've recruited students who are hungry to learn but lack the funds to pay for private training in a music studio or school like ours.  This added dimension of community service and engagement can be a rewarding and life changing experience for GAP musicians. 

For GAP students with sufficient training themselves, and who are interested in becoming music teachers themselves, GAP provides the opportunity to enroll in a Studio Internship.  Through this program, the student prepares for and then begins teaching small group classes and private lessons.  Over the years, we've had student teachers leave after several years of GAP training and teaching to open their own studios in other parts of the state and country.  GAP is not a degree-granting program, but there are many opportunities for musicians that do not require a degree, but instead, rest on skills and insights gained from hard work and personal, artistic integrity within a community of other serious musicians and music educators.

For students who are coming from out of state or from abroad, we have a limited number of CMC Atlanta affiliated housing units available.  These range from efficiency apartments at our Center in Little 5 Points to one and two bedroom apartments a block from CMC Little 5 Points.  Rental rates for the units vary depending on location, size, and whether the student lives alone or with a room mate.  Little 5 Points is a commercial district adjacent to Inman Park, which is considered by many people to be one of the most desirable areas for young people to live in Atlanta.  The densely populated area is known for historic homes and loft conversions, ready access to the Atlanta Beltline, an incredible tree canopy, many restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, theaters and concert venues.  In addition to CMC Atlanta housing options, we are also often able to assist students coming from outside Atlanta  find privately owned apartments nearby.  More information about CMC housing options, including pictures and pricing, is available upon request. 

If you're interested, please take the time to review the Elements of GAP enrollment.  If you have questions or would like to schedule an interview and planning session for a student, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.        

If you're ready to enroll, you can register online here

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Register for GAP

Register for GAP: CMC Atlanta Gap Year and Apprenticeship Program 

Music Performance, Composition, Theory, Apprenticeship, Community Service, Music Outreach & More 

  • Why GAP? +

    A creative musical output requires an approach that immerses the student in a community of practicing musicians and encourages the student to engage in a crucial set of activities with teachers and peers.  GAP is not only more effective, but also a more inspiring and socially meaningful method for developing musicians than the alternatives.  In fact, there's no empirical data to suggest that the old-fashioned approach-- scheduling a student to meet a teacher once a week for 30, 45, or even 60 minutes in home studio or back hall of a music store-- is a serious or even thoughtful approach
  • Who is eligible? +

    Since GAP curriculum and schedules are designed on an individual basis, GAP is suitable for relative beginners through Pre-Professionals.  Since the program immerses the student in music, music education, and music outreach experiences, students who enroll are passionate about music and in most cases have had at least a foundational education, whether formal or informal.    Students are divided by interest and skill level, so we are able to accommodate diverse skill levels without undermining the experience for advanced students or putting a less experienced student in an unnecessarily intimidating situation. GAP students are mostly recent high school or college grads,
  • Where? +

    GAP is based primarily at CMC Little 5 Points; however, elements of GAP (private lessons or internships) are offered in all three CMC Atlanta locations: CMC Little 5 Points 1127 Colquitt Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307 CMC Decatur 116 E Howard Ave Decatur, GA 30030 CMC Dunwoody  5518 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd Dunwoody, GA 30038 We also use a variety of community resources and local performance venues, as needed 
  • When? +

    GAP is offered year round: Fall Term: August - December Winter Term: January - May Summer Term: June - July Although we operate on a traditional academic term cycle, students register and begin at any time.  
  • What style of music? +

    We offer training in Classical Music,  Jazz Music, Rock and Pop Music, and American Folk & Roots Music Traditional and experimental approaches within these fields are supported. Students are taught to read and understand music using the terminology and conceptual frameworks used by professional musicians.   
  • How much? +

    Term tuition: August-December, $6000 paid in full or $1200 monthly installments January-May, $6000 paid in full or in $1200 monthly installment June-July Summer Term, $1600 paid in full or in $800 monthly installments Please note: there is an annual registration fee of $300 per student; other fees and restrictions may apply. Tuition rates are subject to change with 60 days notice.
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GAP Housing

It's one of the most frequently asked questions: what about housing?

CMC Atlanta GAP draws local, regional, national and international students.  Local Atlanta students often live at home with parents or other family members, but any student who enrolls is welcome to consider living in one of our apartments or to consult with us for support arranging suitable housing.  

CMC Atlanta has a limited number of efficiency apartments available at the Little 5 Points location.  Rent for these furnished, dormroom-like units includes all utilities, internet, and more, and varies, depending whether the student lives alone or with a roommate.  CMC Atlanta also has a limited number of unfurnished and potentially furnished one and two bedroom apartments a block from the Little 5 Points Center in highly desirable Inman Park.  These apartments are more expensive, reflecting the rental market in gentrified neighborhoods of the northeast/Atlanta Beltline corridor.  For students who wish to find more independent housing, CMC Atlanta Directors and GAP Faculty are also able to provide guidance by helping connect students with property management offsite and consulting with those unfamiliar with Atlanta neighborhoods and commuting options and patterns.

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