Suzuki Violin Instructor, NY

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) seeks a part-time violin instructor with a growth mindset to join BKCM’s Suzuki team of 25 faculty members in our robust program.

The successful violin teaching candidate will be offered a weekly teaching position of 3–6 hours on Sundays, as well as a possible 3–4 hours on one or more weekdays for the 2025-2026 academic calendar (September–June). Leadership opportunities may become available.

Qualifications

• Love of teaching children and families with attention to detail.
• Comfort with group and theory classes in a Suzuki program.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Teach private violin lessons and group/theory classes for children ages 3.5 to 18.
• Teach pre-twinkle beginners and students with prior Suzuki experience.
• Plan curricula, prepare materials, and attend two recitals and two group classes per year.
• Collaborate with families and colleagues and participate in faculty meetings.

Skills

Violin teaching

Teaching children

Group classes

Music Mind Games familiarity

Education

Bachelor of Music degree

SAA membership / SPA planned

Job description

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) seeks a part-time instructor in violin with a growth mindset and eagerness to learn to join BKCM’s Suzuki team of 25 faculty members in our robust program.

BKCM Suzuki comprises 250 students across seven instruments, with an additional 50+ students in our Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) classes.

The successful violin teaching candidate will be offered a weekly teaching position of 3–6 hours on Sundays, as well as a possible 3–4 hours on one or more weekdays for the 2025-2026 academic calendar (September–June).

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

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:

• 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.
• Teachers are asked to 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.
• 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 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, 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. However, the best candidate may not yet have met all of these qualifications.

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. Experience with, or an interest in teaching music theory, including the Music Mind Games curriculum, is a plus.

Salary

The base pay rate in 2024-25 was $55.50/hour for private lessons, $61.50/hour for group/theory classes, and $40/hour for meetings and prep time. Updated rates for 2025-26 will become available in June.