New England Conservatory of Music is hiring: Middle School Music Instructor -Epi
New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, US
Job Description
The New England Conservatory, an independent not-for-profit institution, is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz, and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.
Position Overview
Location: Epiphany School, Boston, MA
Reports to: Director of Preparatory External Relations, New England Conservatory (NEC)
Position Type: Part-Time, Contract (October 2024 - May 2025)
The New England Conservatory (NEC) is seeking a dynamic and culturally responsive Music Instructor to join the music education team at our partner organization, The Epiphany School in Dorchester, Boston. The ideal candidate will be passionate about engaging middle school students (grades 5-8) in meaningful music-making experiences, particularly in percussion and general musicianship. This individual will teach group classes twice a week for each cohort, guiding students through foundational musicianship, music history, and culturally relevant music topics.
The Music Instructor will play an integral role in creating an inclusive classroom environment that reflects the cultural identities of students and integrates Boston’s rich musical traditions. The candidate should have strong classroom management skills, a commitment to student engagement, and the ability to facilitate music-making that connects with students' backgrounds and interests.
This position requires immediate availability for a demo lesson in early October with an official start in mid/late October.
Responsibilities
Instruction & Curriculum Development
Teach group music classes twice a week for 5th-6th graders and 7th-8th graders (Tuesday-Friday, 2:10 pm to 3:15 pm).
Develop a curriculum that integrates percussion, general musicianship (notation, music theory, music history), and culturally relevant music topics.
Incorporate a variety of music-making activities such as singing and instrumental performance, in addition to percussion.
Create a classroom environment that encourages student participation and reflects their cultural identities and musical preferences.
Cultural Responsiveness
Employ culturally responsive teaching strategies to engage students from diverse backgrounds.
Connect with the Boston community's music traditions to make learning relevant and accessible to students.
Maintain a productive and respectful learning environment through effective classroom management.
Encourage student engagement by exploring their interests and understanding their relationship with music.
Collaboration & Communication
Participate in regular check-ins with NEC’s Director of Preparatory External Relations, Epiphany School leadership, and other key stakeholders in a monthly cadence.
Provide feedback on student progress and collaborate on adapting the program to meet student needs.
Assist in planning and organizing 2-3 student showcases (e.g., December Showcase, Black History Month Performance, Poetry Showcase).
Support the development of plans to expand music programming into an after-school instrumental instruction program in spring 2025.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Candidates should bring many of the following skill sets and experiences:
Bachelor's degree in music education, music performance, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Master's degree preferred.
Proven experience teaching music to young students in an elementary school setting.
Strong musical proficiency and knowledge in areas such as singing, movement, rhythm, and basic music theory.
Playing an instrument or willingness to learn an accompaniment instrument is preferred.
Ability to create engaging and developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities for young learners.
Align with the program’s curriculum goals and objectives.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with children, classroom teachers, site administrators, parents, and colleagues effectively.
Patience, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for working with young students and fostering their love for music.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, supporting the program's goals and contributing to its overall success.
Dedication to lifelong learning, and willingness to adapt to the needs of the program curriculum, and the community being served.
Application Process
Submit your application online through the jobscore link on the NEC website.
Submit a cover letter stating your teaching philosophy and addressing your qualifications, interest, and desire to work with middle school students.
Submit a resume presenting your skills and qualifications for the position.
Submit a minimum of three professional references with contact information.
Candidates may be asked to submit videos representing their teaching. Instructions for video submission will be provided to selected candidates.
Final candidates will be invited to lead a live demo lesson with students at the Epiphany School.
Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, or responsibilities associated with the role.
Schedule and Compensation
Job Type: Part-Time, hourly
Rate: $75.00-$83.00
Schedule Each Week: Tue-Fri 8 hours weekly - 1 hr of lesson planning and 1 hour of instruction a day - with a possible increase of hours (by 3 hours) in Spring 2025.
Working Conditions: At our partner organization, The Epiphany School, in the Dorchester neighborhood in Boston, MA. In person.
NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Annual Clery Report
In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. This report will provide the reader with a record of statistics regarding crimes that were reported in the NEC community during the previous three years as well as College policies and procedures, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This report may be accessed here. A paper copy can be requested by contacting NEC's Director of Public Safety at 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.