Levine Music is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music. Levine’s core values – excellence and opportunity – infuse everything we do. Our distinguished faculty offers a broad and well-rounded curriculum that provides a strong musical foundation for students of different ages, abilities, and interests. We strive to make Levine’s education available to everyone. Hundreds of students receive substantial scholarship assistance; many hundreds more receive free instruction through fully funded in-school programs.
Job Summary: This position will be responsible for the development and oversight of Levine’s jazz and contemporary music department, which provides comprehensive music education, including both private and group instruction to students with a broad range of abilities, backgrounds, and ages. This role provides leadership to faculty, supports student recruitment and retention, and ensures high-quality programming aligned with Levine’s broader educational and artistic goals, including the continued growth and integration of contemporary music offerings. This position includes both administrative and teaching responsibilities and works with the Director of Performance and Contemporary Music, VP of Music Education, and the Education Team.
Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to):
With the support of the Director of Performance and Contemporary Music, the Chair will:
Faculty
- Oversee the hiring process for new jazz & contemporary faculty, in coordination with the Education Team and departmental leaders.
- Schedule and lead regular departmental meetings with jazz and contemporary faculty and provide training and support for new faculty.
- Professional development – connect faculty with training and mentorship opportunities both inside and outside of Levine.
- Supervise jazz and contemporary faculty and oversee the faculty evaluation process, including observations and written feedback.
- Manage faculty schedules, room assignments, and teaching assignments for jazz and contemporary faculty.
Students
- Develop and implement a comprehensive student recruitment and retention plan for the department.
- Support student placement in coordination with the Education Team and departmental leaders.
- Engage guest artists and clinicians to enhance student learning experiences.
Classes
- Oversee the development of curricula utilized by the department for lessons, ensembles, and classes.
- Working with faculty, propose and develop group and ensemble classes that respond to student interest and industry trends, including music technology, popular genres, and related programming.
- Support the continued development and alignment of jazz and contemporary programming within Levine’s broader curriculum framework.
- Monitor enrollments and class details in ACTIVENet, Levine’s current registration system.
- Develop complementary course offerings designed to engage students across departments, disciplines, and musical interests.
- Working with the Director of Merit Programs and the Education Team, provide expertise and guidance on the development of a contemporary music track within Levine’s Merit program.
Performance
- Determine the structure for performance week activities and evaluation of student progress.
- Recruit and schedule guest artists to provide master classes, workshops, and performances for jazz and contemporary students.
- Schedule and execute recitals and other performance experiences for students.
- Working closely with the Director of Performance and Contemporary Music, plan and execute Levine’s annual JazzFest.
General
- Working with the Education Team, create a departmental budget and oversee implementation over the course of the fiscal year.
- Meet on a regular basis with the Director of Performance and Contemporary Music and the VP of Music Education.
- Attend Faculty Council Meetings and other chair meetings as requested.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in music or equivalent performance experience in specific discipline is required. Advanced studies in music education preferred.
- Candidate should have strong administrative and teaching experience and be committed to teaching students of all ages with a broad range of abilities and backgrounds in private and group class settings.
- Community music school experience preferred.
- Ability to think strategically and work collegially but independently.
- Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
- Comfort working in a digital environment required; experience with Microsoft Office Suite required.
Compensation:
- Compensation is based on weekly teaching load of 15+ hours (at Core Status) and a minimum of 15 paid administrative hours.
Levine Music is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Levine Music’s employment policy is committed to anti-discrimination of employees or applicants based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law concerning any employment practices.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Maria Williams
Senior Director Human Resources
Levine Music
2801 Upton Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
hrinstructor@levinemusic.org
(202) 686-8188
www.levinemusic.org