Position: Music Instructor of Violin & Viola
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: In-person
Status: Full-time
Salary: $67,500 + full benefits (medical, dental and vision) and 401K retirement plan.
Projected Start Date: August 1, 2024
About You
Do you enjoy teaching the violin and viola to middle and high school students from underserved communities? Do you approach your teaching and pedagogy through a social justice and racial equity lens? Do you have a passion for serving your community through providing a high level of musicianship to students who may not have access to classical music? Do you enjoy working with a team of music instructors who care about making the difference in the lives of youth? If this sounds like you, read on!
About the Role
Key to Change is looking for a Music Instructor, who is a seasoned violin and viola teacher and pedagogue, who is excited to join a thriving learning community that is enthusiastic about serving youth in the South King County area of Seattle. The ideal candidate will be a high-energy, organized, and detail-oriented individual with strong musicianship and string pedagogy experience. The candidate is a professional with an outstanding history of teaching violin and viola students, helping students make noticeable technical and musical progress, have a successful track record of string studio success, and have the ability to create an inclusive environment where students feel welcomed and inspired. This candidate is someone who enjoys working with string orchestras in public schools, is an excellent recruiter, works well with other music colleagues, is community focused and minded, has strong communication skills, high emotional intelligence (EQ), and the ability to get things done at a high level in an emerging, growing string studio environment. Our ideal candidate should also have some string orchestra conducting, keyboard, music theory, and ear training experience.
About the Organization
Key to Change empowers communities by working alongside students, teachers, parents, and guardians to build consensus, meet public school teacher needs, and create a holistic environment where students can flourish. Key to Change removes the barrier to entry for underserved students and students of color with an inclusive approach that helps build trust and connection. By offering excellent music instruction below the market rate, Key to Change extends the benefits of a classical music education to a new generation of young musicians.
Key to Change provides violin and viola lessons to South King County’s middle and high school students. Through group and individual instruction, students receive the support they need to make significant progress. The organization has a proven track record of helping students become more confident, skillful and expressive musicians as they learn various styles of music in a diverse, inclusive, and healthy environment. Students enrolled in the string studio have had outstanding accomplishments including making their professional debuts with the Seattle Symphony and other local professional orchestras, performing for Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, winning local competitions, and participating in diverse community outreach programs and events.
Key to Change’s mission is to inspire underserved youth through world-class music instruction and to support their development as self-aware leaders. As a non-profit music organization, its core values include cultivating meaningful relationships, providing world-class music instruction, and demonstrating accountability and excellence in all aspects of music education and classical music.
Job Description
The Music Instructor of Violin & Viola reports directly to the Executive Director & Founder, and will be the primary teacher of both group and individual lessons of middle and high school violin and viola students. The Music Instructor of Violin & Viola will collaborate with Key to Change’s music staff on day to day activities, curriculum design, student assessment, learning outcomes, coordinate student recitals and other outreach outreach activities, among other administrative responsibilities. The ideal candidate will be prepared to teach music theory/ear training, coach small and large string ensembles, and, as a highly experienced clinician, work with string orchestras of various demographics and musical and technical levels. This candidate will serve as a liaison with local middle and high school orchestra programs. Finally, this candidate will have experience teaching students of varied musical and technical backgrounds, and students who have special needs and/or disabilities.
The Music Instructor of Violin & Viola serves as a key mentor to enriching the student experience of all student participants. This candidate must be community-oriented, mission-driven, and find fulfillment working at a values-based organization. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative and organizational skills, especially among our students and parents.
Responsibilities
String Studio
Teach students from different musical and technical backgrounds in group and individual lessons with students
- Participate in musical student activities throughout the year
- Recruit and retain violin and viola students
- Participate in community outreach performances
- Teach Music Theory/Ear Training courses
- Coach and conduct string orchestra programs in the community
- Provide student assessment reports each trimester to students
- Attend weekly staff meetings and quarterly board meetings
- Develop and foster relationships with local orchestra teachers in South King County
- Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience Requirements
Master of Music required; Doctor of Musical Arts preferred in string (violin or viola) performance or music education from an accredited college/university. While performing is not a requirement of this position, we do expect that the candidate will demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance on the violin or viola.
We are seeking candidates who have a commitment to being excellent teachers and mentors to a diverse body of students. Additionally, they should desire to have a high level of engagement with public schools and relevant music organizations within the string instrument community. Key to Change seeks a colleague who is collaborative and has the ability to contribute to the cultural and social community of our organization.
To Apply
Key to Change recognizes that an individual’s lived experience is a valuable skill set. In addition, we recognize that data demonstrates that women and candidates of color more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel they meet all of the qualifications. Our job descriptions are intended to represent an overview of the position, and are not a mandatory or comprehensive list. If you are passionate about our mission and values, and believe you have the skills to contribute to the growth of Key to Change, we want to hear from you. Key to Change is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workforce diversity. LGBTQIA, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Your application should include the following materials:
A Cover Letter
The cover letter should express your specific interest in and qualifications for this role, as well as respond to these questions:
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is at the center of Key to Change’s core values and mission. How do you incorporate that into your pedagogy and studio culture to create an inclusive environment with students?
- What steps have you taken in dismantling anti-racist structures within classical music and music education that help diverse communities feel welcome and safe?
Please limit your cover letter to 1-1.5 pages.
Resume
The resume should outline your teaching, community outreach, and performance experience.
Teaching Statement
The teaching statement that includes your philosophy and values. Your statement should outline approach and experience teaching a diverse community of violin and viola middle and high school students of various musical and technical abilities.
Links
Please provide four video links posted as “unlisted” on YouTube.
- A video teaching a group lesson class or chamber music/small ensemble of violin and viola students (videos of coaching chamber music that includes other instruments other than violin or viola will not be accepted).
- A video teaching a private lesson of a violin or viola student at the beginner level
- A video teaching a private lesson of a violin or viola student at the advanced level
- A video of a recent performance by the candidate that is unedited
Please submit all materials in a PDF format to Dr. Quinton Morris, Executive Director & Founder at [email protected] no later than April 22, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. No phone calls or social media messages, please.
