The Missouri String Project has been a part of the Columbia community since 1973. The Project has a two-fold mission: 1) To prepare emerging string instrument music educators for success through hands-on teaching experiences, deliberate mentorship, and collaborative professional development while directly addressing the national shortage of highly qualified string teachers. 2) To provide equitable access to inclusive and high-quality string education opportunities for students ages 8 and up in communities of varied backgrounds and needs. MU students serve as teachers and receive instruction and guidance from faculty. 3rd-5th grade students receive instruction through group lessons and string orchestra rehearsals and perform concerts each semester. These students benefit from inexpensive yet extensive instruction from excited and energetic teachers, while teachers get invaluable hands-on teaching experience in a supervised atmosphere before they begin their work in the public schools or their own private teaching studios. Dozens of teachers from MSP have found the experience invaluable as they pursue a career in music and teaching. Hundreds of young students have begun their musical lives with MSP, and many still play today.