Classical Voice Instructor

National Guild; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Merit School of Music in Chicago seeks a Classical Voice Instructor to lead two weekly group classes and offer private lessons at the West Loop location, fostering classical vocal technique and repertoire development.

The role includes collaboration with Merit voice faculty, attendance at faculty meetings, and potential to grow a private studio as experience allows. This part-time in-person position emphasizes dedication to Merit's mission and inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music or equivalent experience.
• Proven success teaching voice from beginner to advanced with a classical focus.
• Strong classroom management and collaboration with staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver weekly group classes and private lessons.
• Coordinate with on-site Merit voice faculty to assess student needs.
• Provide student recommendations for additional Merit programming.
• Attend Merit faculty and department meetings as scheduled.

Skills

Voice teaching

Classical technique

Group instruction

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in music

Job description

Merit School of Music seeks a Classical Voice Instructor to teach group classes in the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-Free Conservatory (TFC). The Conservatory provides advanced musical training to Chicagoland's most promising and dedicated young musicians, serving students from intermediate to highly advanced in grades 6 through 12 as they build toward collegiate and conservatory-level study.

In this role, the instructor will lead weekly group classes in classical vocal technique, helping students develop the foundation, style, and repertoire needed to grow as singers and musicians. The position also carries the opportunity to build a private voice studio at Merit's West Loop location, working with students across a range of levels and experience.

Qualifications & Requirements

Must-Have Characteristics

• Bachelor's degree in music or equivalent experience and training.
• Proven success teaching voice students at varying skill levels, from beginner through advanced, with a strong emphasis on classical vocal technique, style, and repertoire.
• Strong classroom management skills, with the ability to keep group classes engaging and focused.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with colleagues and administrators.
• A high level of personal musicianship.
• Punctual, professional, and communicative, with a flexible and adaptive disposition.
• A genuine commitment to Merit's mission and to dignity-centered communication with students, families, and colleagues.

Preferred, But Not Required

• Experience building and maintaining a private voice studio.
• Bilingual or multilingual; Spanish and Mandarin are especially valuable in this role, as many of our families communicate primarily in one of these languages.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Classical Voice Instructor include, but are not limited to:

Teaching and Instruction – 85%

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in weekly group classes and private lessons, commensurate with Merit's curricula, teaching philosophy, mission, and values.
• Communicate with on-site Merit voice faculty to determine individual student needs and goals.
• Provide Merit staff with student recommendations for additional Merit programming.

Administrative Duties – 15%

• Complete student attendance records for each class and lesson.
• Correspond with Merit staff and students/families in a timely fashion.
• Attend Merit faculty meetings and/or department meetings as scheduled.
• Other projects as assigned.

About the Organization

Merit School of Music is a community music school located in Chicago's West Loop. Our primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and experience personal growth through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 40 years, we have been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and have acted as a springboard for achieving full musical and personal potential. Our 100 passionate and experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging over 3,000 students annually at our downtown location and in area schools and community centers.

Our students, who reflect Chicago's socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and provides young people with the tools they need to excel in life, with nearly 100 percent of our graduates attending a conservatory or college.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can access quality music education. Simultaneously, Merit is continually working towards becoming an organization that reflects the city's demographics and the students we serve. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

Faculty | Paid | Part Time

SCHEDULE

• The Classical Voice Instructor will lead two group classes per week, totaling 1.5 hours, in addition to private voice lessons scheduled separately.
• Group classes are held on Saturdays from September 12, 2026 through April 3, 2027. Classical Technique Study (advanced) meets from 9:40–10:25 am, and Beginning Classical Technique meets from 10:30–11:15 am.
• Private lesson scheduling is determined individually based on teacher availability and may be scheduled any day Monday through Saturday.
• All group classes and private lessons are taught in-person at Merit's West Loop location, the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, located at 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607.