Strings Ensemble Instructor (Violin, Viola, Cello)

Voices Boston; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 4% match

Employee/W-2 position

Job summary

North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) seeks Teaching Artists to lead weekly small-group string sectionals for grades 1–2, teaching violin, viola, or cello at South End Village Academy in Boston. Sessions are Wednesdays 3:30–4:30 PM for the 2026–2027 school year.

In this W-2 role, you will develop curriculum, coordinate with the Ensemble Director, help students build foundational ensemble skills, prepare repertoire, and participate in two student performances during the year.

Qualifications

• At least one year of teaching experience in the chosen instrument is required.
• Group instruction experience is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree or working towards a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance or Education is preferred.
• Exceptional communication and time management skills are important.
• Enjoy working in a community music and performing arts school setting.

Responsibilities

• Teach a weekly small-group sectional of approximately 5–10 students in Grades 1–2.
• Provide beginner-level instruction on violin, viola, or cello, building foundational instrumental and ensemble skills.
• Support students in learning and preparing ensemble repertoire as introduced by the Ensemble Director.
• Troubleshoot challenging passages and reinforce repertoire during sectional rehearsals.
• Collaborate with the Ensemble Director to ensure students progress toward shared musical and performance goals.
• Coordinate with the Ensemble Director on pacing and timeline for repertoire development.
• Develop and provide curriculum and lesson plans in a timely manner.

Skills

Teaching experience

Group instruction

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance or Education

Job description

North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC)

Description:

The North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) is seeking Teaching Artists to lead beginner-level string instrument sectionals as part of our partnership with South End Village Academy for the 2026–2027 school year.

We are looking for enthusiastic and experienced music educators who enjoy working with young children, particularly students in Grades 1–2 (ages 6–7). Teaching Artists will work with small groups of students learning violin, viola, or cello and help build the foundational skills needed to participate in the larger Strings Ensemble.

Schedule & Location

Teaching Day: Wednesdays, 3:30–4:30 PM
Program Dates: September 2026–June 2027
Location: South End Village Academy, 1310 Washington Street, Boston, MA

The school is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Orange Line. Parking is not provided.

Teaching Artists will also participate in two student performances during the school year, including a performance in December and a spring/end-of-year performance. Performance dates are TBD.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach a weekly small-group sectional of approximately 5–10 students in Grades 1–2.
• Provide beginner-level instruction on violin, viola, or cello, building foundational instrumental and ensemble skills.
• Support students in learning and preparing ensemble repertoire as it is introduced by the Ensemble Director.
• Troubleshoot challenging passages and reinforce repertoire during sectional rehearsals.
• Collaborate regularly with the Ensemble Director to ensure students are progressing toward shared musical and performance goals.
• Coordinate with the Ensemble Director on the pacing and timeline for introducing and developing repertoire.
• Develop and provide curriculum and lesson plans in a timely manner.

Compensation & Employment

• $60 per hour
• Employee/W-2 position
• Optional 401(k) enrollment, including a 4% employer match on your selected contribution

Qualifications:

At least one year of teaching experience in chosen instrument required, group instruction experience preferred.

Bachelor's Degree or working towards a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance or Education preferred. Relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Teaching Artist should be sensitive to individual student needs and have exceptional communication and time management skills.

Enjoy working in a community music and performing arts school setting and embody NEMPAC's mission of making arts education accessible for ALL.

Salary:

$60 / Per hour

About this Organization:

NEMPAC MISSION: Rooted in Boston’s North End, our mission is to enrich lives through accessible, exceptional music education and performing arts programs that embrace our vibrant, inclusive, and diverse communities.

NEMPAC VISION: NEMPAC envisions dynamic Boston neighborhoods where music and performing arts fill the city with creativity, spark connections, and inspire us to be our best selves.

ABOUT the North End Music & Performing Arts Center:

North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) is a 501(c)(3) community music school and performing arts center empowering artists of all ages and abilities. In 2001, five North End mothers created NEMPAC to meet a community need for children’s instrument lessons. Twenty years of unwavering community support fueled NEMPAC’s growth from a 501(c)(3) offering piano lessons out of its founders’ homes to a community music school and professional performing arts center operating from over 15 locations throughout the City of Boston.

Today, NEMPAC’s community music school serves over 1,500 students per week through private and group music instruction, on-site arts programming at area schools, as well as in-house education classes. NEMPAC credits the rigor and quality of its educational programming to the distinguished team of 30-plus faculty members who mentor and teach the next generation of artists.

NEMPAC’s performing arts center attracts regional, national, as well as international solo acts and professional music groups to stages in the greater-Boston area. From jazz to opera, NEMPAC’s professional performances cater to all musical tastes and acquaint 7,500 audience members per year to the transformative quality of the arts.

About this Organization:

NEMPAC MISSION: Rooted in Boston’s North End, our mission is to enrich lives through accessible, exceptional music education and performing arts programs that embrace our vibrant, inclusive, and diverse communities.

NEMPAC VISION: NEMPAC envisions dynamic Boston neighborhoods where music and performing arts fill the city with creativity, spark connections, and inspire us to be our best selves.

NEMPAC VALUES: Community, Creativity, Education, Excellence, Equity

ABOUT the North End Music & Performing Arts Center:

North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) is a 501(c)(3) community music school and performing arts center empowering artists of all ages and abilities. In 2001, five North End mothers created NEMPAC to meet a community need for children’s instrument lessons. Twenty years of unwavering community support fueled NEMPAC’s growth from a 501(c)(3) offering piano lessons out of its founders’ homes to a community music school and professional performing arts center operating from over 15 locations throughout the City of Boston.

Today, NEMPAC’s community music school serves over 1,500 students per week through private and group music instruction, on-site arts programming at area schools, as well as in-house education classes. NEMPAC credits the rigor and quality of its educational programming to the distinguished team of 30-plus faculty members who mentor and teach the next generation of artists.

NEMPAC’s performing arts center attracts regional, national, as well as international solo acts and professional music groups to stages in the greater-Boston area. From jazz to opera, NEMPAC’s professional performances cater to all musical tastes and acquaint 7,500 audience members per year to the transformative quality of the arts.

TEACHING AT NEMPAC: NEMPAC strives to involve our instructors beyond their classes by hiring them for professional performances, teaching artist workshops, additional educational events, and more! As a NEMPAC instructor, you will have access to our practice studios when available, faculty discounts, professional development opportunities, and support and guidance from our education coordinator and director on an ongoing basis.

You will be joining a community of esteemed faculty, passionate administrators, and supportive families. NEMPAC instructors take pride in the relationships they build with the students in their classes and prepare them to continue their artistic journey beyond their classes. NEMPAC believes that everyone is a performer and aims for all curriculum to be crafted with an emphasis on holistic, social-emotional learning and development while also engaging students' creative expression!

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: NEMPAC believes we are all musicians and performers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We embrace people of all backgrounds and invite them to join us.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: NEMPAC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. NEMPAC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, age, national origin (ancestry), ethnicity, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, familial status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, criminal record, military status, in any of its programs or operations or any other factor protected by law. These programs and operations include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of employees and contracted staff, selection of volunteers, faculty, artists, and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, board leadership, students, neighbors, volunteers, contractors, vendors, and friends.

NEMPAC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Consistent with those requirements, NEMPAC will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If you believe you need an accommodation, contact NEMPAC Facilities and Operations Coordinator [e-mail] or 857-239-9997

NEMPAC will also, where appropriate, provide reasonable accommodations for an employee's religious beliefs or practices.

GENERAL NEMPAC CONTACT INFORMATION:

[e-mail] | 857-239-9997

LEARN MORE ABOUT NEMPAC ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Facebook:@NEMPACBoston
• Instagram:@NEMPACBoston
• LinkedIn:North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC)

Homepage banner image: Detail of glassworks by Carrie Gustafson (Mass Cultural Council Crafts Fellow 2011).