In 1995, GAMA, NAMM and MENC launched a program to train teachers to start guitar programs in middle and high schools. If we could get an agreement from a school music teacher to start a guitar program in their home school, we would provide them with tuition to attend one of the summer guitar workshops and a guitar, accessories and publications package valued at over $1300.

Well, the program just took off and results are outstanding! From 1995 to 2007, approximately 2000 school music teachers attended summer workshops from United States, Canada and France. We estimate well over half a million students have learned guitar in schools because of the Teaching Guitar Workshops. In 2007 an Independent Audit of the program was conducted; the findings were great!

In the summer of 2008 we will hold ten Teaching Guitar Workshops. For the first time, we will hold one workshop in Canada. We will also continue to teach our Advanced Level II Workshop for those teachers that are demanding more guitar.

It's a simple equation - we teach the teachers and the teachers will reach more students. Do the math and you'll see how GAMA's Teaching Guitar Workshop program has made the guitar industry sky rocket. Not to mention the fact that the teaching guitar gives teachers additional skills. That means more job security, more parental and administrative approval and many many thousands of happy guitar playing children.

From the beginning, NAMM saw the potential in this program and generously helped fund the workshops by providing tuition money to the teachers. Since then several retailers such as AIMM, Brook Mays, Guitar Center and Sam Ash have sponsored seminars. Our member companies are all very excited about the program and enthusiastically contribute merchandise to the teachers. We believe that when one of our members gives a guitar or guitar accessory to a teacher, that teacher will go home and recommend that brand to between 30 and 50 kids per class. How's that for promotion!

If you are a retailer and would like to sponsor a teacher find out how by visiting our ADOPT-A-MUSIC TEACHER page.

If you are a teacher and would like to learn how to start a guitar program in your school visit our TEACHERS START A GUITAR PROGRAM page. You can also download a Guitar Workshop Application here.

And if you are a guitar or guitar accessory manufacturer we welcome you to join us in sponsoring this and other programs.

To find out who our members are just visit our MEMBERS page.

If you'd like to receive an application for membership you can download:
GAMA Membership Application.pdf file or contact us at the addresses below.

To send an email, click here.