Full-Time Music Teacher (Cantare)

Cantare seeks to foster a diverse community of compassion and understanding across generational, cultural, and economic boundaries, through the beauty and power of choral music. Cantare Classroom Music Education Program provides tuition-free choral music residencies to over 2,600 students weekly Oakland public schools.

Cantare is seeking a full-time dynamic, experienced music teacher to join our team of professional Teaching Artists, with an interest to work with one or more of the following categories:

  • Grades TK-2nd during the school hours, in general music lessons

  • Grades 3rd-5th, during school hours, in short-term (8-10 sessions) residency with an emphasis on social studies

  • Grades 3rd-5th, in after-school choirs

  • Young newcomers (TK-2nd) in language music lesson, after-school hours

Hours:

  • Weekly 40-min lessons for TK-5th grades conducted in a combination of schools sites (August through May)

  • Two after-school choirs, one hour each every week (August through May)

  • Special events on weekends/evenings, including Cantare Children's Choirs Fall and Spring concerts

  • Cantare Summer Camp (June 2025)

  • End-of-year culmination performances (format and dates TBD)

  • Professional development sessions and staff meetings (dates/time upon agreement)

  • Specific time of lessons and performances are upon agreement between the teaching artists and the school sites

Job Duties:

  • Prepare and teach weekly lessons

  • Build relationship with students by engaging school staff and its community

  • Organize performances at school events, in collaboration with Cantare as well as school staff

  • Represent Cantare with high standards of professionalism and punctuality

  • Attend paid professional development sessions and staff meetings

  • Complete tasks in a timely manner

Qualifications:

  • B.A. or equivalent in music field

  • Experience in Kodály and Orff music education preferred

  • A commitment to artistic and educational excellence

  • Comfortable with materials from diverse traditions

  • Vocal techniques skill

  • Encouraging, compassionate, and effective classroom management skill

  • Experience working with students in economically disadvantaged communities is a plus

  • Bilingual skills (Chinese/Spanish with English) is a plus

Start Date: August 2024. Teaching Artists enter an employment contract with Cantare until the end of school year in May 2025.

Compensation:

  • $66k to $72k annually based upon experience

  • Kaiser Health Care

  • Vision and Dental coverage

  • Opportunity to contribute to Roth IRA

Professional development opportunities are included, along with a budget for supplies, equipment, and access to libraries of music and materials. Teaching Artists receive support from Cantare’s artistic and administrative staff. We have a dynamic team of Teaching Artists with diverse talents and experience who support one another, collaborate musically, and share materials. Visit www.cantareconvivo.org to learn more about our organization

Successful candidates will need to pass a background check. Cantare is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested applicants should send the following to Conway Tan-Gregory, Director of Music Education at conway@cantareconvivo.org.

  • Cover letter

  • Resume

  • Two references

  • A video teaching sample, if possible

  • Upon further request by Cantare, dates for in-person teaching observation, if possible