Drum Instructor

Old Town School of Folk Music; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago seeks a drum instructor to teach private lessons and group classes across diverse ages and backgrounds.

Ideal candidates are experienced educators who balance technique with rhythmic literacy, explore folk and world styles, and foster an inclusive, community-minded learning environment, preparing students for performances and community events.

Qualifications

• Strong drumming and percussion skills in one or more relevant styles.
• Prior teaching experience with children, teens, or adults preferred.
• Ability to communicate musical concepts clearly.
• Student-centered approach accommodating different learning styles.
• Appreciation for folk and global musical traditions.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Teach private drum lessons and group classes to students of varying ages and backgrounds.
• Develop engaging lesson plans balancing technique, rhythmic literacy, musical expression, and repertoire.
• Teach drums across styles and traditions relevant to learners.
• Create an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
• Prepare students for informal performances, recitals, ensembles, and community events.
• Collaborate with other faculty and participate in school programs.

Skills

Strong drumming & percussion

Teaching experience

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative spirit

Inclusive teaching

Job description

Job Summary: The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a drum instructor. Ideal candidates are experienced educators with a passion for community-based music education and the ability to teach a wide range of styles and learners. Utilizing the Old Town School’s unique model and methodology of group class instruction, this position relies on existing repertoire and lesson plans in addition to a teacher’s new and innovative approaches

Essential Functions:

• Teach private drum lessons and/or group classes to students of varying ages, abilities, and musical backgrounds.
• Develop engaging lesson plans that balance foundational technique, rhythmic literacy, musical expression, and repertoire.
• Teach essential drumming skills, including coordination, timing, dynamics, groove, reading rhythms, and improvisation, as appropriate to students’ levels and goals.
• Introduce students to a variety of musical styles and traditions, potentially including rock, blues, jazz, folk, Latin, African, Brazilian, and other global percussion traditions.
• Encourage creativity, active listening, collaboration, and musical independence.
• Adapt teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles, abilities, interests, and goals.
• Foster a supportive, respectful, and inclusive learning environment that welcomes beginners and experienced musicians alike.
• Prepare students for informal performances, recitals, ensembles, and other community music-making opportunities, as appropriate.
• Communicate professionally and constructively with students, families, colleagues, and school staff.
• Collaborate with other faculty and participate in relevant school programs, meetings, performances, or community events as needed.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and engaging instructional environment.

Qualifications

• Strong drumming and percussion skills, with proficiency in one or more relevant styles or traditions.
• Prior teaching experience with children, teens, and/or adults preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate musical concepts clearly and effectively.
• A student-centered teaching approach that supports different learning styles and levels of experience.
• Knowledge of rhythm, technique, repertoire, and musical development appropriate to the classes taught.
• Appreciation for folk music, global musical traditions, and the role of music in building community.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• A collaborative spirit and commitment to inclusive, accessible music education.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation:$37/hourly

About Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (“OTSFM”) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non-profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides a wide range of music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses located in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods that include world-class concert halls, classrooms, an award-winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated over the course of the pandemic. Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available at oldtownschool.org

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.