The Omaha Conservatory of Music is accepting applications for part-time Early Childhood & General Music Class Instructors in the Mix Department to begin in Summer 2024.
The Conservatory serves over 2,000 families each week through lessons and classes both on and off campus. Students vary in skill level from beginner to advanced and age from birth to 95 years of age. Our programs are taught by a diverse group of accomplished educators that collectively cover over a dozen instruments.
Our popular early childhood classes are tailor-made for children age 0-4 years old and their caregiver. The program uses Suzuki Early Childhood Education curricula and is a pressure-free space for kids to start learning music early by playing instruments, singing, dancing, and reading books together.
The salary for this position is $30-60 per-hour (commensurate with experience); benefits included.
Join the nationally acclaimed Omaha Conservatory of Music (OCoM) and embark on a transformative journey in music education and community building! At OCoM, we embrace our mission of building a diverse musical community to enrich lives through education and performance. Our vision is simple yet profound: to ensure access to musical excellence for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to harnessing the power of music as a catalyst for personal and societal growth. We firmly believe that music is not confined to the concert hall; rather, it serves as a vehicle for developing essential life skills such as creativity, collaboration, and leadership. We are passionate about education and we seek teachers with a growth mindset, dedicated to continuously improving their own craft and teaching skills as they serve others.
Come join us at Omaha Conservatory of Music, where we’re not just teaching music; we’re changing lives and shaping a brighter future for our community, one note at a time.
An early childhood and general music class instructor is a dynamic educator who supports students’ music education path utilizing current musical pedagogy and innovative educational tactics and tools. Must be excited to work with students across a wide range of ages and levels, including very young learners (ages 0-4) and their caregivers, in group settings. This includes:
- Teaching early childhood and/or general music classes within the department as identified by OCoM
- Providing expert music instruction, including demonstrating a high level of mastery and modeling this in classes
- Teaching assigned Tuneful Tots classes using the provided curriculum and equipment
- Fostering a positive learning environment
- Planning & preparation for classes, including lesson planning, syllabi, attendance, paperwork, organizing materials, and communication
- Regularly developing and implementing fresh educational initiatives for the general music classroom
- Establishing a good rapport with students and families
- Mentoring and giving direction to the assigned assistant teacher to be optimally impactful during and around Tuneful Tots classes and encourage growth
- Participation in the work of the department, including attending trainings and class instructor meetings
- Duties as assigned
- Completion of Every Child Can (ECC) training (2 days, 8 hours total); online and offered between Apr 27-May 27, 2024 (cost varies $135-160, and is reimbursable by OCoM)
- Completion of Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) training (5 days, 30 hours total)
- June 3-7, 2024 at Omaha Conservatory of Music, 9am-12pm, 1-4 pm
- Prerequisites: must study the provided songs and rhymes of the SECE curriculum and be prepared to perform them during training and lead activities in demonstration classes.
- If hired, training is provided at no cost ($625 value) and is compensated.
- Acquire active membership with Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) by May 20, 2024 (an Individual Membership is $80, and is reimbursable by OCoM)
A successful candidate will teach early childhood music and/or general music classes of various age levels, part-time. Most classes occur in the morning or afternoon with the exception of an evening class. Classes are generally scheduled Monday through Saturday. Individual schedules will be considered upon hiring. Specific classes will be determined based on departmental needs and the successful candidate’s specialty. The department welcomes applicants whose work focuses on specific areas, including, but not limited to: working with young children (age 0-4), working with individuals with disabilities, and general music education.
Teachers report to the program department, and are supported by the OCoM artistic director, program director and department chair who conduct observations, provide on-going mentorship, and collaborate on goal setting. Teachers are also responsible for collaborating with the programming team managers to ensure all teaching and administrative duties are executed at the highest level. Program managers collaborate with the Department Chair on performance reviews of teachers.
This position is comprised of:
- 90% teaching
- 10% administration
In addition to teaching duties, the successful candidate will be expected to participate in department meetings, hold regular office hours, and be available to meet with staff as needed.
- $250 professional development reimbursement, or for any program, class or event OCoM offers for you or any immediate family members
- Reimbursement for up to two professional memberships
If the individual becomes eligible for full-time employment, full-time benefits will be discussed.
**Note: This position will follow the Omaha Conservatory calendar. Classes run September through May. Additional paid opportunities for summer work may be available.
- Candidates should have one of the following: a bachelor’s degree in music education or early childhood education, or equivalent experience, before starting employment
- Demonstrated success in related levels of teaching
- Two years of class teaching experience
- Must be able to sing in tune and keep a steady beat
- Strong record of working collaboratively
- Excellent communication skills & reliable workplace attendance
- Successful experience teaching in classroom settings (traditional school setting, preschool/daycare setting, adult class setting, etc.)
- Teaching experience with young children
- Knowledge or training in the Suzuki Method
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities
Should a candidate show a strong commitment to the mission of the Omaha Conservatory of Music and our educational philosophy, to create an encouraging environment in which students thrive, these qualified candidates should submit:
- A letter of interest that includes a brief discussion of teaching experience and approaches to teaching.
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Three references with contact information
All materials should be received by April 24, 2024. Send materials to jobs@omahacm.org. Late applications may be considered until the position is filled. The interview process will include meeting(s) with the hiring committee.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Usual office working conditions.
- While performing the typical duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. Occasionally, the employee may be asked to perform work outdoors.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and could occasionally become loud
Omaha Conservatory of Music is firmly committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity. We hire qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status or veteran/military status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.
As permissible under applicable law, applicants will be subject to a pre-employment background check after receiving a conditional offer of employment. This will investigate criminal background and other matters related to suitability for employment, particularly due to work in the proximity of children. Employment is contingent upon the results of this background check. Omaha Conservatory of Music does not sponsor H1B or O Visas.
Email application to jobs@omahacm.org. No phone calls, please.