Community Embedded Musician - Teaching Artist

Houston Symphony Society; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

The Houston Symphony Education and Community Engagement team seeks versatile violin teaching artists to bring engaging music education to students and community programs across Houston. This role emphasizes beginning violin pedagogy, collaboration with partners, and adaptable teaching in schools, hospitals, and community spaces.

Hours vary by program and location; primary instrument is violin, with flexibility for other orchestra instruments.

Qualifications

• High school degree required; undergraduate degree in music performance or education preferred, but not required.
• Strong child and classroom management skills.
• Proficiency in violin performance and pedagogy.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and community partners.
• Commitment to promoting full inclusion within all education and performance formats.
• Flexibility to work in schools, early childhood centers, community centers, dementia centers, and hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging and effective violin instruction to groups of students.
• Create inclusive and supportive learning and performance environments.
• Collaborate with program managers and faculty to shape lesson plans and curricula.
• Perform in chamber ensembles for partners including hospitals and schools.
• Work in hospitals to provide comfort and healing through music.
• Participate in program evaluations to measure progress and effectiveness.
• Attend professional learning sessions to improve teaching skills.
• Maintain professional communication with staff and managers.
• Identify challenges and report them for proactive resolution.
• Track planning hours within agreed limits.
• Procure or request backing tracks and music needed for tailored experiences.

Skills

Violin performance

Pedagogy

Classroom management

Interpersonal communication

Collaboration

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma

Music performance/education degree preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Title: Community-Embedded Musician - Teaching Artist

Location: Jones Hall - Houston, TX 77002

Position Type: Part Time

Education Level: High School

Salary Range: $25.00 - $60.00 Hourly

Job Category: Entry Level

Department: Education & Community Engagement

Reports to: Community Engagement Associate (or relevant program manager)

Status: Part-time, contracted

Compensation: $60 / hour for instructional time; $25 / hour for non‑instruction time (meetings, professional learning, planning)

Summary

The Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives aim to engage the diverse communities of Houston through a wide range of programs. In addition to the 150,000 community members who participated in student and community concerts, we served nearly 5,000 people across Greater Houston through personalized interactions, whether bedside performances in area hospitals, classroom visits with middle school and high school bands and orchestras, early childhood partnerships, dementia center performances, and more.

We are seeking versatile and passionate violin teaching artists to join our team as Community-Embedded Musicians. In this dynamic role, you will have the opportunity to engage with diverse communities across Houston through a variety of music education and performance programs. Hours may vary depending on program assignments and locations. If the applicant’s primary instrument is an orchestra instrument other than the violin, consideration may still be given for participation in some programs, as long as they demonstrate strong beginning violin pedagogy skills.

Essential Job Functions

• Deliver engaging and effective violin instruction to small or large groups of elementary or middle school students, depending on assigned roles and strengths.
• Create inclusive and supportive learning and performance environments.
• Collaborate with program managers and other faculty/teaching artists to shape and implement curriculum for lesson plans that meet the needs of each student group and support shared goals and ideals.
• Perform in chamber ensembles with tailored and interactive programs that support specific partners, including dementia centers, social service organizations, or schools.
• Work in hospitals, using music to provide comfort and healing to patients and their families in partnership with hospital Arts in Health professionals.
• Participate in program evaluations and assessments to measure student/participant progress and program effectiveness.
• Attend professional learning sessions to enhance teaching skills and stay informed on best practices in music education, community engagement, and interactive performances.
• Maintain professional and prompt communication with the Symphony’s staff team, including Program Manager or Lead Community-Embedded Musician.
• Identify and report any challenges that need to be rectified proactively in collaboration with the Lead Community-Embedded Musician, Community Engagement Associate, or other program manager.
• Track planning/preparation hours within the agreed upon limits discussed.
• Procure or request support for procurement of music and backing tracks needed for tailored experiences specific to the program needs.

Qualifications

• High school degree required; undergraduate degree in music performance or education preferred, but not required.
• Strong child and classroom management skills.
• Proficiency in violin performance and pedagogy.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and community partners.
• Commitment to promoting full inclusion within all education and performance formats.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in various settings, including schools, early childhood centers, community centers, dementia centers, and hospitals.
• Available in Houston throughout the season.
• Access to reliable transportation, capable of transporting performance or presentation materials as needed.

To Apply

Please submit the following: cover letter and resume, and a 6–10 minute video targeting 4th grade students, including a brief performance and introduction of yourself and the musical work being performed. Email a link to a shared video file to [e-mail].

Questions can be discussed during the interview process, but please feel free to email initial questions to [e-mail].