Job Description

Application Materials Required:

Cover Letter: Detailed letter specifying interest and qualifications, including specific examples of:
Inclusive teaching practices and experience with diverse student populations
Program coordination and leadership experience
Philosophy regarding pre-college and collegiate piano education
Curriculum Vitae/Resume: Comprehensive academic and professional background
Teaching Portfolio: Including student testimonials, sample curricula, and video links that demonstrate teaching a pre-college private lesson and group class.
References: Names and contact information for three professional references who can speak to teaching effectiveness and program management capabilities
Job Summary
This position works 40 hours/week during the academic year (August through May, annually). During the summer months the position drops to 32 hours/week. The posted salary listed of $55,000 - $62,000 would be the full time, 12 month salary. The actual salary range with the reduced summer hours is $52,249 - $58,900.

Please Note: Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. Employer sponsorship or support for work authorization, including but not limited to H-1B, O-1, J-1, CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT, is not available for this position.

It is the mission of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to create an environment of educational and artistic excellence by nurturing creativity, academic integrity, and professionalism in its faculty and students. As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's finest public institutions of higher education, the School is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance.

We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields.
We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan.
We serve the community, the region, and the State of Michigan through public performances, cultural resources, arts education, and outreach programs.
The School's mission is predicated on the belief that the study and practice of the performing arts depend upon a diverse community of learning in which a spirit of social responsibility and principled entrepreneurship is fostered.

Responsibilities*
This full-time, staff position serves dual critical functions within our music program: Class Piano Coordinator (approximately 50% of workload) and Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program (PPLP) Teacher (approximately 50% of workload). The role ensures program integrity for our NASM-accredited curriculum while providing exceptional educational experiences for both collegiate and pre-college students from diverse backgrounds and musical experiences.

Class Piano Coordination (approximately 50-60% of workload)

Program Management & Leadership:
Coordinate approximately 45 class piano sections each semester across eight different course levels, serving ~550 non-keyboard music majors annually
Coordinate and assist over 30 graduate student instructors (GSIs), including conducting orientation sessions each fall and winter semester
Handle daily scheduling conflicts, substitute coverage coordination, and GSI office hours management
Work directly with the Registrar's office on scheduling, enrollment issues, and roster management
Oversee class piano enrollment patterns and make recommendations for section openings/closures
Assign teachers and coordinate room assignment for non-major piano lessons
Curriculum & Assessment Oversight:
Maintain and update all course materials including syllabi, teaching manuals, Canvas sites, and assessment tools for eight different course levels.
Personally grade at least 50% of all midterm and final examinations to ensure consistency across sections
Create, organize, and administer makeup examinations throughout each semester
Oversee placement examinations and coordinate exam scheduling for 1,200+ individual student assessments annually
Prepare new examination materials using notation software and update assessment rubrics
Review and approve final grades with GSIs before Canvas and Wolverine Access submission
Daily Operations & Communication:
Respond to extensive email communications (typically 1-2.5 hours daily) from GSIs and undergraduate students regarding scheduling, registration, assignments, syllabi, Canvas, grades, and other concerns
Make regular Canvas announcements and perform system maintenance across multiple course sites
Coordinate substitute teaching arrangements and maintain tracking spreadsheets
Conduct attendance checks and communicate with GSIs regarding record updates
Assist students with registration issues and course placement decisions
Order textbooks each semester and coordinate GSI textbook distribution
Student Support & Programming:
Review Piano 150 applications and assign students to appropriate GSIs
Coordinate Piano 150 lesson room assignments and scheduling
Organize Piano 150 Showcase events including logistics and program creation
Coordinate Class Piano Pop-Up Concerts and community engagement events
Compile recruitment materials and encourage enrollment in non-major piano courses
Process override requests and assist with Midterm Progress Reports
Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program (PPLP) Teaching (approximately 40-50% of workload)

Direct Instruction:
Teach 15-20 private lessons per week during the academic season (September through April)
Lead 3-4 group classes weekly, creating cohesive curricula that bridge private and group learning
Continue PPLP instruction during summer months (May through August) Prepare comprehensive lesson plans and all required materials for both private and group instruction
Design weekly group lesson plans that complement and reinforce private lesson content
Student Development & Assessment:
Prepare students for recitals, masterclasses, and examinations
Attend recitals where private students are performing and all spring recital events
Support students through Royal Conservatory Music Development Program assessments
Create individualized learning plans for beginning through advanced pre-college students
Foster inclusive learning environments that celebrate diverse musical backgrounds and learning styles
Program Coordination:
Assist the PPLP coordinator with recital logistics and music library operations
Coordinate cohesive private lesson content and group lesson plans through Google Suite
Support recruitment and retention efforts for the pre-college program
Maintain regular communication with PPLP families and address concerns promptly
Technology & Equipment:
Utilize audio and video equipment, keyboards, and communication systems effectively
Troubleshoot piano lab equipment and coordinate repair requests
Assist the PPLP coordinator in maintaining Canvas sites and digital resources for PPLP students and families
Integrate technology thoughtfully into both individual and group instruction
Required Qualifications*
Education: Doctoral degree (DMA) in Piano Pedagogy (strongly preferred) or Piano Performance; Master's degree with exceptional experience will be considered
Teaching Experience: Significant experience in pre-college group and private piano teaching, demonstrating ability to work with students of varying skill levels and backgrounds
Curriculum Knowledge: Expertise in developing and implementing curricula for beginning through advanced pre-college students
Assessment Experience: Significant knowledge of the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program syllabus and assessments (strongly preferred)
Collegiate Experience: Demonstrated experience with collegiate class piano curricula and large-scale program coordination
Technical Skills: Proficiency with learning management systems (Canvas), Google Workspace, and keyboard lab technology including audio/video equipment
Leadership Skills: Experience supervising and mentoring teaching staff, with demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback and professional development
Communication: Excellent organizational and communication skills, with ability to manage extensive daily correspondence and coordinate multiple stakeholders
Flexibility: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed for recitals and special events
Workplace Community: Experience working effectively with different communities and cultures; experience working directly with faculty, staff and students.
Employment Eligibility: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.