Lead Lyrica Choir Director for 5th-8th Youth

Bellevue Youth Choirs; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 8,500 - 9,000; Part time

Job summary

Bellevue Youth Choirs seeks a Lyrica Choir Director to lead the 5th–8th grade ensemble and join our artistic staff. The director will collaborate with the BYC team to deliver high-quality vocal technique, musicianship, and performance experiences for choristers.

The role requires leading weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays 5:30–7:30pm at Cross of Christ Church in Bellevue, WA, starting Sept 7, 2026. Compensation is hourly, with planning time, and the season runs September through June 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music, Music Education, Choral Conducting, or related field.
• Experience teaching children or adolescents in a choral or classroom setting.
• Experience conducting choirs and teaching healthy vocal technique.
• Familiarity with rhythm literacy, solfege, sight-singing, IPA, and music literacy.
• Kodály-inspired teaching preferred; not required, willingness to learn BYC methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead weekly Lyrica rehearsals with accompanist, creating a joyful, challenging musical environment.
• Plan developmentally appropriate rehearsals that build vocal technique and ensemble skills.
• Teach healthy vocal technique and musicianship concepts (rhythm literacy, solfege, sight-singing, IPA).
• Select diverse, culturally authentic repertoire aligned with BYC's mission.
• Collaborate with BYC teaching team to ensure consistent instruction across levels.
• Foster a positive, inclusive rehearsal environment supporting student growth.

Skills

Choral conducting

Youth education

Vocal technique instruction

Kodály teaching

Collaborative teaching

Diversity & inclusion

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music, Music Education, Choral Conducting, or related field

Job description

♬ Enrollment is closed for fall and reopens in January. Join the interest list to get started.

About the Position

• BYC seeks a Lyrica Choir Director to join our artistic staff and lead our 5th–8th grade ensemble. This person will work closely with the full BYC teaching team to provide a consistent, high-quality musical experience for choristers while helping students develop strong musicianship, vocal technique, artistry, and confidence.
• The ideal candidate is passionate about youth choral education, culturally authentic repertoire, and believes students grow best when rehearsals balance joy, challenge, and meaningful musical achievement. They should enjoy working with middle school students and be excited to help young singers develop independence, leadership, and artistic expression.
• BYC utilizes a musicianship curriculum that includes rhythm literacy, solfege, IPA, sight-singing, vocal technique, and music literacy skills. Experience with Kodály-inspired teaching is highly valued, though formal Kodály certification is not required. Candidates should be willing to learn and utilize BYC's instructional approach and sequencing.
• Because BYC functions as one unified program, the Lyrica Director must be highly collaborative and willing to work closely with fellow directors to coordinate repertoire, musicianship instruction, performances, and student advancement across choir levels.
• Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 5:30–7:30pm. Directors are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to rehearsal to prepare their space and be ready for choristers.
• Rehearsals begin the week of September 7, 2026, following the Bellevue School District calendar (with breaks during Thanksgiving, Winter, Midwinter, and Spring).

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead weekly Lyrica rehearsals in collaboration with a provided accompanist, creating a joyful, challenging, and engaging musical environment.
• Plan and teach developmentally appropriate rehearsals that build vocal technique, musicianship, artistry, and ensemble skills.
• Teach healthy vocal technique as well as musicianship concepts including rhythm literacy, solfege, sight-singing, IPA, and music literacy.
• Select and teach diverse, culturally authentic repertoire that supports choristers' musical growth and aligns with BYC's mission.
• Collaborate with the BYC teaching team to ensure consistent musicianship instruction and artistic goals across choir levels.
• Serve as a positive role model for choristers and foster a rehearsal environment where students feel safe, included, challenged, and encouraged to grow.
• Build positive relationships with choristers and families, communicating as needed regarding attendance, behavior, and student progress.
• Adapt instruction and classroom management strategies to support students with diverse cultural backgrounds and learning needs.
• Teach and conduct all Mainstage concerts and other required performances throughout the season.
• Prepare concert program notes and update rehearsal resources, including practice tracks and learning materials.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings, chorister evaluations, recruitment efforts, and other activities that support the success of the organization.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative staff culture and support the broader mission of Bellevue Youth Choirs.
• Status: Hourly, part-time, seasonal position. September through June. Employment is for the 2026–2027 season only. Employees may be considered for future seasons, but continuation is not guaranteed.
• Pay: $55–57.50/hour for rehearsals plus 1.5 hours paid planning time per rehearsal week. Estimated annual compensation is approximately $8,500–9,000 based on the current season schedule. Optional tours and special projects are compensated separately.
• Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director, Kayla Johnson
• Location: Cross of Christ Church, 411 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007. Concert locations vary.
• Concert Participation: Attendance at all Mainstage concerts is required. Tentative concert dates for the 2026–2027 season are December 5, March 13 or 20, and June 5.
• Program Continuation: This position is contingent upon sufficient enrollment and program needs. Bellevue Youth Choirs reserves the right to modify assignments, adjust scheduled hours, combine ensembles, or cancel a choir offering if enrollment levels, staffing needs, budget considerations, or other operational factors warrant such changes. BYC will make reasonable efforts to communicate any changes as early as possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music, Music Education, Choral Conducting, or a related field required.
• Experience teaching children or adolescents in a choral or classroom setting.
• Experience conducting choirs and teaching healthy vocal technique.
• Familiarity with teaching musicianship skills such as rhythm literacy, solfege, sight-singing, IPA, and music literacy.
• Experience with Kodály-inspired teaching practices preferred. Formal Kodály certification is not required, but candidates should be willing to learn and utilize BYC's instructional approach.
• Passion for youth choral music education and helping students grow through a balance of joy, challenge, and musical excellence.
• Commitment to culturally authentic and diverse repertoire, including music from a variety of languages and traditions.
• Experience working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and a variety of learning needs.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with fellow directors, accompanists, volunteers, and staff.

What We Look for in a BYC Staff Member:

At Bellevue Youth Choirs, we’re more than just a place to sing – we’re a vibrant community where kids grow as musicians, teammates, and confident individuals. Our staff are at the heart of that mission. BYC values staff who demonstrate:

• Growth-Oriented - Embraces children’s potential and nurtures them through joyful, challenging experiences.
• Wholehearted – Respects each student’s identity and connects with them as individuals.
• Joyful – Brings energy, fun, and warmth to every rehearsal.
• Collaborative – Works well across teams and communicates proactively.
• Leadership-Oriented – Creates a structured, positive rehearsal culture through strong classroom management, clear expectations, and meaningful relationships with students, resulting in focused rehearsals where choristers can thrive.
• Globally Minded – Values authentic, diverse repertoire and the rich perspectives our families bring.
• Creative – Engages students through inventive, kinesthetic learning.
• Musicianship-Driven – Models strong musical skills and artistic excellence.

To Apply

Send a letter of interest and resume to Executive & Artistic Director Kayla Johnson at [e-mail].

About BYC
Bellevue Youth Choirs (BYC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012, serving youth from Pre-K through 12th+ grade across the greater Bellevue area. Choristers learn vocal technique, musicianship, and performance skills while participating in mainstage concerts, outreach events, festivals, and collaborations with premier musical groups.

Mission Statement
BYC creates a joyful, inclusive musical community for youth by providing exemplary musicianship training and exciting performance opportunities.

Bellevue Youth Choirs is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Consistent with Washington's Fair Chance Act, background screening is initiated only after an offer of employment has been extended and accepted.

We greatly appreciate the generosity of our sponsors.

This program is supported, in part, by a Sustained Support grant from 4Culture, the Community Accelerator Grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and a City of Bellevue Arts Partnership.

The free and reduced ticket cost access to our Mainstage Concerts are supported by 4Culture.

We are a proud member of the Greater Seattle Choral Consortium, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Bellevue Association.

Community sponsors include Amazon, Lake Sammamish Kids Dentistry, Freelove Orthodontics, the Bernard Law Group, and Brumley Law Firm.

Grants

Sponsors

Memberships

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
411 156th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98007