EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Lifting Voices, Uplifting Lives

Associate Director for Music Education

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’s Music Education Programs provide tuition-free choral music education to over 2,300 students weekly Oakland public schools. 

Teaching 

Cantare is seeking a dynamic, experienced leader and music educator to help lead our team of professional Teaching Artists. Teaching responsibilities include one or more of the following areas: 

  • Grades 3rd-5th, during school hours, teaching classroom music education and/or short term, performance-oriented programs

  • Grades 3rd-5th, teaching weekly after-school choirs

  • Preschool (3-5 year-olds) during school hours

  • Grades TK-2nd newcomers/English Language Learners in Sing Together program, after-school hours (Spanish language preferred)

  • Summer Camp (2 weeks in June)

    • Directing choir, teaching musicianship classes for elementary students 

    • Participate in planning and preparation of camp

Administrative Tasks

The Associate Director for Music Education is the liaison between Cantare and our partner schools and community based organizations. 

  • Interfacing with school administration and staff

    • Negotiate yearly contracts based on shared strategic vision for educational growth, consistency and sustainability. Cantare administrative staff create contract documents and handle invoicing. 

  • Supervision Teaching staff

    • Provide support and oversight for all classroom & Sing Together (newcomer) programs

    • Observe Teaching Artists in the classroom, provide feedback and annual reviews

    • Guides student evaluation process

    • Guides professional development for Teaching Artists

  • In collaboration with Director of Children’s & Youth Programs: 

    • Prepare job descriptions, phone screenings, interviews for prospective Teaching Artists and make annual staffing assignments

Cantare internal administrative tasks

  • Contribute to Cantare’s strategic direction and planning for the music education program

  • Review budget documents to ensure accuracy

Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate or higher degree in music education, or equivalent experience

  • Experience in supervising/mentoring other teachers

  • A commitment to artistic and educational excellence

  • Experience teaching music from culturally diverse traditions and genres

  • Encouraging, compassionate, and effective classroom management skills

  • Alignment with Cantare’s mission of inclusivity

  • Experience working with students in under resourced communities a plus

  • Fluency in languages other than English a plus

Start Date: August 2026.  

Compensation: $83,000-$88,000 annually

Reports to Director of Children’s and Youth Programs

Benefits

  • Paid sick leave and vacation time 

  • Health, vision and dental benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to Roth IRA

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 Julie Haydon, Director of Children’s and Youth Programs at youthprograms@cantareconvivo.org.

  • Cover letter 

  • Resume 

Join us in lifting voices and uplifting lives!

Bilingual Teaching Artist (Spanish)

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 Programs provide tuition-free choral music residencies to over 2,300 students weekly Oakland public schools.

 

Cantare is seeking a part-time (hourly), bilingual, experienced music teacher to join our team of professional Teaching Artists, with an interest and ability to teach in Spanish in the following areas: :

●      Grades TK-2nd newcomers/English Language Learners in Family Music Lesson, after-school hours (Spanish language preferred)

●      Grades TK-2, during school hours, weekly singing-based general music lessons

●      Grades 3rd-5th, teaching weekly after-school choirs

 

Hours:

●      Lessons during the school hours or after-school.

●      Professional development sessions and check-in with supervisor

●      Schedules are designed with Teaching Artist’s input and is 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

●      Experience teaching music from culturally diverse traditions and genres

●      Ability to teach healthy vocal technique

●      Encouraging, compassionate, and effective classroom management skills

●      Experience working with students in economically disadvantaged communities a plus

 

 

Start Date: August 2026. Teaching Artists enter an employment contract with Cantare until the end of school year in May 2027.

 

Compensation (hourly)

●      $64.50-$74.25 per in-school lesson, commensurate with experience.

●      $75.50/choir rehearsal

●      $75.50/school-site performance

●      $39.25/off-site rehearsal or performance

●      $33/hr for Professional Development

 

Benefits

●      Paid sick leave and vacation time

●      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 Julie Haydon, Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs at youthprograms@cantareconvivo.org.

●      Cover letter

●      Resume