Suzuki Piano Instructor

Suzuki Association of The Americas Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,104 - 85,411; Part time

Job summary

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) is seeking a part-time Suzuki piano instructor to join our Suzuki team. The role involves teaching private lessons and group/theory classes to children, with a schedule centered around Sundays and potential Fridays, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor of Music, are active SAA members, and show a warmth and pedagogical enthusiasm for working with diverse families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Music degree required and active SAA membership.
• At least units 1–4 registered with SAA; SPA/Practicum planned preferred.
• Love of teaching children; strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Teach private lessons and group/theory classes for children 3.5 to 18.
• Teach group classes that incorporate music theory.
• Teach during July and/or August as needed.
• Teach a 15-hour Parents’ Class with readings and discussions.
• Plan and prepare curricula and materials for classes and lessons.
• Prepare students for and attend two recitals and two group class performances per year.
• Maintain timely communication with administration, faculty and families.
• Submit timesheet data every week.
• Support colleagues and engage in ongoing professional growth.
• Commit to DEI frameworks and inclusive repertoire and outreach.

Skills

Teaching

Communication

DEI commitment

Education

Bachelor of Music

Active SAA member

SPA/Practicum planned

Tools

Music Mind Games

Job description

Positions: Suzuki Piano Instructor

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Position Description

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) seeks a part-time piano instructor with a growth mindset and eagerness to learn. Join BKCM’s Suzuki team of 29 faculty in our robust program.

BKCM Suzuki comprises 253 students across seven instruments, and an additional 40 students in our Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes and Suzuki Bridges classes.

Weekly Schedule:
This position is weekly, primarily taking place on Sundays, contingent upon enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic calendar (September–June). There is also a possibility of Fridays, 3-6pm.

For this role, it will be possible to expand the schedule in subsequent school years, as well as to add summer teaching hours, and camp teaching. Leadership positions within the Suzuki program and other job growth opportunities may also become available.

Salary
The pay rate in 2025-2026 is $58.25/hour for private lessons, $62.50/hour for group/theory classes, and $40/hour for meetings and prep time. We anticipate a raise beginning Sept. 1, 2026.

About the BKCM Suzuki Program
BKCM is located in beautiful Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we have a committed community of supportive and involved Suzuki parents and caregivers.

In our Suzuki program, students attend weekly group and theory classes in addition to their weekly private lessons. Parents of beginners and transfer students attend 15 hours of parent class during their first year, in addition to attending the first six weeks of classes with their own full-size instruments before students begin in November. Beginners are typically ages four to five but can be younger or older. We offer ongoing professional development for faculty, community-building events, myriad performing opportunities for students per year, opportunities to be involved in chamber and string orchestras, and summer camps.

We are a short walk from the subway: B/Q to 7 th Avenue & 2/3 Grand Army Plaza.

Duties:

Expectations and Scope of Work

• Teach private lessons and group and theory classes for children ages 3.5 to 18, depending on the schedule assigned. Most new teachers will teach pre-twinkle beginners ages 3.5–5 and will also teach students who have studied for any length of time in our program.
• Teach group classes that incorporate music theory (Music Mind Games familiarity is a plus).
• Most of our faculty teach to some degree during July and/or August.
• Teach a 15-hour Parents’ Class, including discussion of readings, philosophy and teaching parents to play their child’s instrument.
• Plan and prepare curricula and materials for classes and lessons.
• Prepare students for and attend two recitals and two group class performances per school year.
• Use flexibility and creativity when working with different types of learners.
• Attend paid 10+ faculty meetings.
• Submit timesheet data every week.
• Maintain timely communication with administration, faculty, and families.
• Offer reasonable support to families in your studio both in and outside of class time.
• Approach teaching as a lifelong learner, committed to self-education about best practices and professional growth.
• Support colleagues both in and outside of your department and expect support.
• Commit to DEI frameworks and self-education, including interest in repertoire outside the canon, teaching a plurality of learners, working with all types of families, and elevating fundraising campaigns for financial aid.

Qualifications:

Candidates should have a Bachelor of Music degree or similar, and MUST be an active member of the SAA, and have at least units 1–4 registered with the SAA. Ideally, the candidate will have also taken SPA and Practicum or will have plans to do so soon. All candidates must demonstrate a love of teaching children of all ages, fine attention to technical and musical detail in their teaching approach, and a warmth and understanding of all children and families. Additional qualifications include excellent communication skills and a desire to work in a tight-knit community of colleagues where pedagogical discourse and constructive feedback are shared freely and amicably for the betterment of all. Experience with, or an interest in teaching music theory, including the Music Mind Games curriculum, is a plus.

The pay rate in 2025-2026 is $58.25/hour for private lessons, $62.50/hour for group/theory classes, and $40/hour for meetings and prep time. We anticipate a raise beginning Sept. 1,2026.