Part-Time Applied (Studio) Faculty - Collaborative Piano
DESCRIPTION
Appointment Type: Part-Time Applied (Studio) Faculty
Department: Collaborative Piano
Division: Vocal Arts & Collaborative Piano
Reports To: Dean of Vocal Arts & Collaborative Piano
Salary Range: $175–$200 per hour for studio instruction Start Date: Academic Year 2026-27 (with possible engagement in recruitment and admission activities during AY2025-26)
Position Description
Manhattan School of Music seeks highly experienced and professionally active collaborative pianists – both instrumental emphasis and vocal emphasis, to become part of our esteemed faculty starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Individuals hired will participate in the 2026 admission cycle (fall 2025-May 2026).
Successful candidates will demonstrate experience teaching and mentoring graduate-level and early career collaborative pianists and will possess a desire to participate in a student-centered, collaborative, and inclusive teaching and learning community. They will teach weekly, one-hour studio lessons to assigned graduate students, collaborate with CP faculty members to share/team-teach CP Seminar classes, and possibly teach course(s) in vocal arts or chamber music, as needed and if it aligns with faculty expertise.
Faculty will actively participate in MSM’s efforts to recruit and engage prospective students at all stages of the application – inquiry, audition, admissions, and matriculation. Faculty recruitment activities may align with professional engagements, teaching masterclasses, affiliations with summer or development programs, and opportunities to participate in MSM-sponsored recruitment activities. Faculty will contribute experiences and ideas to MSM’s recruiting strategies, foster potential pathway programs and schools, and envision new opportunities to cultivate highly qualified applicants.
Required Qualifications
An established career evidenced by extensive and sustained professional collaborative performing experience within major opera houses, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and concert or recital settings.
Experience teaching at the graduate collegiate or professional development artist program level.
Evidence of successful recruiting/retaining/mentoring high-level students in graduate collegiate or post collegiate professional development programs.
The ability to utilize (or the capacity to learn) current technology to enhance pedagogy, the delivery of curriculum, and for general communication and record-keeping.
Evidence of and commitment to positive collaboration among colleagues.
Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano or Classical Piano or the professional equivalent.
Vocal-emphasis applicants must have expert-level applied knowledge of the traditional and contemporary classical vocal repertoire (operatic, concert, art song, and vocal chamber music); strong sight-reading, orchestral reduction, and rehearsal technique skills; and the ability to authentically coach diction in the primary languages – English, French, German and Italian.
Instrumental-emphasis applicants must have expert-level applied knowledge of the traditional and contemporary classical instrumental repertoire (especially solo strings, winds, and brass, chamber music and orchestral works that include piano). This includes knowledge of instrumental techniques, such as bowing for strings or articulation for winds, rehearsal techniques, and cueing.
Preferred Qualifications
10 + years of sustained professional collaborative performing experience.
At least five years of experience teaching collaborative piano majors at the graduate collegiate- and/or professional development artist program level in one or more related areas (i.e., chamber music, vocal literature, or collaborative piano pedagogy).
Familiarity with crossover styles like Musical Theatre or Jazz).
Vocal emphasis applicants – fluency in at least two of the four main classical languages (English, French, German, Italian). Additional language fluency or expertise is highly desirable.
Manhattan School of Music is located in New York City’s Morningside Heights neighborhood and enrolls nearly 1,030 students in undergraduate, graduate, post-masters, and doctoral programs each year. Students major in performance (classical/jazz), musical theatre, contemporary performance, or composition. Students enrolled at MSM hail from nearly all 50 states within the United States and approximately 50 countries. This rich tapestry of backgrounds and cultures is foundational to MSM’s commitment to providing a welcoming and student-centered environment. Aligned with MSM’s 2024-29 Strategic Plan, faculty and staff promote the “MSM Way” – ensuring that students experience a nurturing educational atmosphere that inspires growth so they can thrive both in a modern conservatory setting and be prepared to build a versatile career in a dynamic performing arts industry.
The Division of Vocal Arts & Collaborative Piano (VACP) is one of five college academic divisions in Manhattan School of Music that also includes the Academic Core (Music, Composition and Humanities), Instrumental Studies & Orchestral Performance, Musical Theatre, and Jazz Studies. The VACP Division is comprised of four departments – Collaborative Piano, Classical Voice, Affiliated Studies, and Opera Theatre.
The Collaborative Piano Department consists of two (2) instrumental-emphasis faculty and four (4) vocal-emphasis faculty as well as an artistic staff of 40+ collaborative pianists/coaches and 20 graduate students including Master of Music, Professional Studies, Professional Performance Diploma, and Doctor of Musical Arts. The Division also includes 15 studio voice faculty and 22 classroom faculty that teach and mentor over 200 Bachelor of Music, MM, PS, PPD, and DMA classical voice students. The Opera Theatre Department includes a music staff of 13+ coaches and contracts conductors, stage directors and creative teams for each of the approximately 11 graduate and undergraduate productions annually. The VACP Division is committed to growing our chamber music offerings and has recently engaged in an extensive review of our curriculum resulting in strategic curricular and artistic goals for the next 3-4 years. Our renowned and deeply committed faculty are excited to welcome new faculty who bring a solid foundation of traditional practice combined with current perspectives that will best support our students to successfully prepare for and engage in dynamic and versatile careers.
Desired Start Date: September 1, 2026
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $175 - $200 Hourly
HOW TO APPLY
Application Process
All applicants will apply online using the following link: https://airtable.com/appNHvFrH1Ygo9KyS/shrLPRZTuN7DvTuZ9
The application requires applicants to complete a short form and upload the following materials:
A cover letter
Curriculum vitae or detailed résumé
The names, affiliation, and complete contact information of at least three (3) professional references that combined, will address the positions’ required qualifications
Priority Application Deadline: October 6, 2025
Please note, though not required with the initial application submission, MSM may request applicants to submit video recordings of teaching demonstrations and recent performances at a later date and prior to an on-campus interview.
Equal employment and equal educational opportunity have been and will continue to be fundamental principles at Manhattan School of Music, where employment and enrollment are based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination or harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the status of being transgender, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Manhattan School of Music does not permit retaliation against individuals who oppose a discriminatory practice or participate in an investigation.
Application Deadline: October 6, 2025
Application Email/Link: airtable.com/appNHvFrH1Ygo9KyS/shrLPRZTuN7DvTuZ9