Be a mentor to 1-4 teen/young adults with special needs, such as autism, while they learn to play music. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, model expected group behaviors, give compliments, give directions, and help their mentees build friendships and practice social skills. Mentors are important because they help the students with special needs gain social skills (e.g. learning how to make eye contact, have a conversation, have self-control, etc.) that are essential to living a meaningful life in their community. No matter your level of musical experience, you'll have a great time shaking a shaker, playing the drum, singing along and much more. Before and after the group, volunteers assist with setting up (unloading musical equipment, setting up chairs, music stands, music books, etc.), process with the volunteer team after (complete a journal entry about the experience and rate mentee responses), and tear down (load equipment).