Private lessons are available to all qualified Yale students in Gospel voice, keyboards, and drum set. You must register for credit, and the course you enroll in is dependent on whether you are an undergraduate. YDS, ISM, or other graduate/professional school student. Students may not take lessons for no credit.
Please see the appropriate instructions below. Students will be assigned either to an ISM Artist-in-Residence or a graduate student, depending on skill level and the space available in the respective teachers’ studios. Email Eric Donnelly with any questions.
Audition requirements
For Keyboard Students
Submit a single, unedited video of 2–4 minutes. A phone recording is completely acceptable.
Please include:
1. A brief spoken introduction (10–15 seconds): your name, current course of study/year, and what you hope to gain from being a part of the Black Church Music Studies Program.
2. Two contrasting selections, or excerpts of them:
- One — a hymn, spiritual, gospel song, or anthem
- One additional piece of your choosing, in any style (classical, jazz, contemporary, original composition)
Practical notes:
- Position the camera so your hands and the keyboard are visible.
- Piano or organ is welcome; play on whatever instrument you have access to.
- Playing by ear or from a lead sheet is entirely welcome. Reading from notation is not required.
For Voice Students
Students are asked to submit one video (2-4 minutes) or separate videos (1-2 minutes) that demonstrate the following:
- A selection that demonstrates their engagement with the gospel and spiritual musical traditions.
- A selection that demonstrates their current capabilities.
Each of these selections should show the students’ vocal pitch range.
- A brief spoken piece of text, such as a 3-5 verse Bible passage, or an excerpt from a speech, poem, or monologue.
For Drum Students
- A selection of their favorite composition within the gospel/African American music context.
Professor Jackson is accepting all performance levels who are looking to enhance their rhythmic playing abilities that could be applied within the live performance space but also to help them to be better leaders as well as composers
Audition videos are due by Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Yale Divinity School and ISM/YSM Students
Divinity and ISM/YSM students must register for REL 3630 and will receive 1.5 credits for 6 one-hour lessons per semester plus studio classes (students must participate in 3 out of 4 studio classes per term). Students must also register for a course in the Music and the Black Church program by the second semester in which they seek to take lessons.
1. Email an audition video to Eric Donnelly (new students)
2. Register for the proper course number along with their other regular classes.
Students are allowed to take up to 2 sets of lessons (two instruments) per semester, space permitting.
If you plan to drop the course, email Eric Donnelly immediately. See your registrar for procedures and charges specific to your school.
Undergraduate Students
Yale University undergraduate students must register for MUSI 4246 and receive .5 credits for 6 one-hour lessons per semester plus studio classes (students must participate 3 out of 4 studio classes). An audition video is required for new students.
No more than a total of four credits of lessons (in all instruments) can be applied towards the 36-credit degree requirement. Students must enroll in 2 academic music classes concurrent with their first two terms of MUSI 4256; one of these must be MUSI 4483 or MUSI 4484 and the other may be any MUSI class in groups I, III, or IV. For details, see the Music department’s program description in the YCPS.
To receive lessons and get credit students must complete the following:
1. Email an audition video to Eric Donnelly (new students)
2. Register for the proper course along with their other regular classes.
If you plan to drop the course email Eric Donnelly immediately. See your registrar for procedures and charges specific to your school.
MUSI 4246 may be repeated 8 times for a total of 4 credits. Undergraduate students may take up 2 sets of lessons in Gospel music (two instruments) per semester.
All other Yale Graduate and Professional School Students
For Yale graduate and professional school students, you must students must register for REL 3630 and will receive 1.5 credits for 6 one-hour lessons per semester plus studio classes (students must participate in 3 out of 4 studio classes per term). See your registrar for procedures and charges specific to your school.