Music Instructor of Violin & Viola

Position: Music Instructor of Violin & Viola

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: In-person

Status:  Full-time

Salary: $81,500 + full benefits (medical, dental and vision, 401K retirement plan) + moving stipend to the Seattle area

Projected Start Date: July 1, 2025

About You

Do you enjoy teaching the violin and viola to middle and high school students? Do you approach your teaching and pedagogy with social justice and racial equity in mind? Are you passionate about making high-level musicianship accessible to underserved communities? Are you excited by working alongside music instructors who inspire their students to grow not just as musicians, but as responsible young adults, too? If this sounds like you, then please read on!

About the Role

Key to Change is looking for a Music Instructor who is a seasoned violin and viola teacher and pedagogue, and who is excited to join a thriving learning community that is enthusiastic about serving youth in the South King County area near Seattle. The ideal candidate is a high-energy, organized, and detail-oriented individual with strong musicianship and string pedagogy experience. They are a professional who has an outstanding history of teaching violin and viola students who make noticeable technical and musical progress, a successful track record of string studio success, and the innate 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. String orchestra conducting, keyboard/piano, music theory, and/or ear training experience are a plus, but not required.

About the Organization

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.

Key to Change empowers communities by working alongside students, teachers, parents, and guardians to build consensus, meet 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 group and individual lessons to South King County middle and high school students the support they need to make major 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, healthy environment. Students enrolled in the string studio have had outstanding accomplishments, including their professional debuts with the Seattle Symphony and other local community and regional orchestras; performances for Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, and Vice-President Kamala Harris; participating in local competitions; and impactful participation in diverse community outreach programs and events.

Job Description

Reporting directly to the Executive Director & Founder, the Music Instructor of Violin & Viola will be one of two full time primary teachers of the group and some individual lessons of middle and high school violin and viola students. The Music Instructor of Violin & Viola will collaborate with the music staff on day-to-day activities, curriculum design, student assessment, and learning outcomes; coordinate student recitals and other outreach outreach activities; and engage in other administrative responsibilities. The ideal candidate should also be prepared to teach music theory/ear training, coach small and large string ensembles, and serve as a clinician for string orchestras of various demographics and musical and technical levels.

In addition to teaching, day-to-day activities will include work as a liaison with local middle and high school orchestra programs. Recruiting and outreach, coupled with teaching are a regular routine of the candidate. This candidate should have some experience teaching students of varied musical and technical backgrounds, and students who may 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 and 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.

Our string studio operates 12 months during the year, with two week studio breaks included during each trimester. The Music Instructor of Violin & Viola is expected to teach during the 12 month period. Lessons are taught typically after school Monday-Friday with limited weekends allotted for student concerts and events.

Finally, our ideal candidate is a seasoned pedagogue who has a proven track record of teaching violin and viola lessons to students of various musical and technical abilities at a superior level. This individual is committed to teaching full time, understanding that this position provides limited time for outside performance opportunities. Individuals who are committed to maintaining an active performance career should not apply for this position. Professional musicians or seasoned teachers or professors, who are looking to transition into full-time teaching with strong social justice values are highly encouraged to apply. People who do not see themselves historically represented in a “Pre-College” or community-based music program, or academia are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

String Studio

• Teach students in group and individual lessons with students from different musical and technical backgrounds
• Participate in musical student activities throughout the year
• Recruit and retain violin and viola students for the organization
• 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
• Serve as an ambassador at local and national conferences and events
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduate degree (i.e. Master of Music, Graduate or Artist Diploma) required; PhD or Doctor of Musical Arts preferred in string performance, string pedagogy or music education from an accredited college/university, or equivalent work experience. While performing is not a requirement of this position, the candidate will demonstrate a satisfactory musical and technical 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 to work with a colleague, who is collaborative and has the ability to contribute to the cultural and social community of our organization.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resumé, teaching statement, three letters of recommendation, video links of teaching demonstrations and a recent performance that is unedited addressed to Dr. Quinton Morris, Executive Director & Founder.

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 for students? 

• What steps have you taken in dismantling anti-racist structures within classical music and music education so that students from diverse communities feel welcome and safe? 

Please limit your cover letter to 1-2 pages.

Resumé

The resumé should outline your teaching, student and studio accomplishments, community outreach, and performance experience chronologically, beginning with your most recent activity.

Teaching Statement 

The teaching statement should include your philosophy and values. It should outline your approach and experience teaching a diverse community of violin and viola middle and high school students of various musical and technical abilities.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation in a PDF format should be addressed directly to Dr. Quinton Morris, Executive Director & Founder. You may submit your letters of recommendation or have your recommenders submit the letters on your behalf. Please do not snail mail your letters.

Transcript

An official transcript confirming your degree from an accredited college or university should be included with your materials. Your official transcript may be emailed to our office at [email protected]. You may also send them directly to us at PO Box 16787, Seattle, WA 98116.

Links 

Please provide four video links posted as “unlisted” on YouTube as follows: 

1. 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). 
2. A video teaching a private lesson of a violin or viola student at the beginner level. 
3. A video teaching a private lesson of a violin or viola student at an intermediate or advanced level. 
4. A video of a recent performance.