With the music-mentoring program, Tabor Academy juniors Chan Kang and Willie Saltonstall are lending their musical expertise to dozens of Our Sisters’ School students.

The Tabor students lead a weekly music lesson at the all-girls school in New Bedford.

Kang is teaching violin to two groups of seventh and eighth graders, while Saltonstall is teaching the guitar.

The music-mentoring program was established last year as a community service activity for Tabor students.

Since then, the program has proved popular among both Tabor and Our Sisters’ School students, said Lauren Corliss, Community Service Director at Tabor.

The Tabor students craft their own lesson plans and work one-on-one with the students at Our Sisters’ School.

“Our kids really love it,” Corliss said. “They find out a lot about themselves and what it means to be a teacher. It’s important to balance a sense of humor with seriousness.”

Of the experience, Saltonstall said, “It is so nice to get out of my busy Tabor life when I am so overwhelmed with homework, sports, and friends to just sit down, play some guitar, and meet new faces.”

Once a mentoring session is over, Corliss said she and the Tabor students break down their sessions.

“We talk about how they might have to adjust,” Corliss said. “Tabor students are working with seventh and eighth graders at the end of a long day. The trick is how do you balance being goofy and having fun with doing what we need to be doing.”

Saltonstall agreed.

“Now, when I criticize my educators, I have a new outlook on being a teacher myself. I’ve tried to incorporate being more organized into my lessons while keeping the session fun,” Saltontsall said.

As for how his students have progressed, Saltonstall said, “We began with essentially a basic knowledge of a couple of chords. Now, as we approach the final lesson, the girls are mastering finger picking while playing full songs. I remember that being a very exciting moment for me. I hope they have enjoyed taking a little time out of their busy day to enjoy music.”