The Chicago High School for the Arts

2025-2026 Piano Technique I Instructor

CHICAGO, ILPosted 24 days ago

Job summary

  • Job post source

    This job is directly from The Chicago High School for the Arts

  • Job overview

    The 2025-2026 Piano Technique I Instructor at The Chicago High School for the Arts teaches foundational piano skills to high school students, focusing on technical facility, musical literacy, and performance readiness to develop independent musicians.

  • Responsibilities and impact

    The instructor will prepare and deliver structured lessons, manage classroom and student progress, communicate with students and parents, collaborate with faculty, and participate in school events and professional development to support student artistic and academic success.

  • Compensation and benefits

    This is a part-time position paying $55/hour for teaching and $30/hour for non-instructional duties; benefits are not specified.

  • Experience and skills

    Requires a bachelor's degree in Music or related field, preferred seven years of professional music experience, and four years of teaching experience, with strong communication, classroom management, organizational skills, and ability to work with diverse populations.

  • Career development

    Opportunities include collaboration with artistic and academic faculty and participation in professional development sessions to enhance instructional skills and adapt to the school's evolving educational approach.

  • Work environment and culture

    ChiArts emphasizes a whole-student approach, diversity, high accountability, and continuous improvement in a supportive, creative, and inclusive environment.

  • Company information

    The Chicago High School for the Arts is a diverse, pre-professional arts school focused on developing artistically gifted students through intensive arts training combined with college preparatory academics.

  • Team overview

    The instructor will join the Music Department, collaborating with other artistic and academic staff to develop best practices and support student growth.

  • Job location and travel

    The position is based in Chicago with no travel required except for optional professional development or conferences.

  • Application process

    Applicants must apply online at www.chiarts.org with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3-5 professional references; background checks are required.

  • Unique job features

    The role involves teaching conservatory-level piano technique with an emphasis on technical skills, musical literacy, and performance, tailored to beginner to early-intermediate high school students in a unique arts-focused educational setting.

Company overview

The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) is a public arts high school in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to providing a rigorous pre-professional arts training program combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. Established in 2009, ChiArts offers majors in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and creative writing, allowing students to develop their artistic talents while ensuring academic excellence. The school is funded through a combination of public funding and private donations, making it accessible to talented students from diverse backgrounds. ChiArts has a history of producing graduates who go on to prestigious colleges and successful careers in the arts.

How to land this job

  • Position your resume to emphasize your expertise in piano technique instruction, highlighting your ability to teach foundational skills such as scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, and musical expression to beginner and early-intermediate high school students.

  • Focus on showcasing your experience in lesson planning, classroom management, and ability to foster a creative, inclusive, and high-accountability learning environment, aligning with ChiArts' mission and educational philosophy.

  • Apply through multiple platforms including the official ChiArts website and LinkedIn to maximize your chances of being noticed for the position.

  • Connect with current music department staff or instructors at The Chicago High School for the Arts on LinkedIn; when reaching out, use ice breakers like commenting on their recent performances, asking about the music curriculum, or expressing enthusiasm for ChiArts’ unique approach to arts education.

  • Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'piano technique,' 'lesson planning,' 'classroom management,' 'music theory application,' and 'student collaboration' to ensure it passes initial screenings.

  • Utilize Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate applying through multiple channels, tailor your resume with relevant keywords, and identify LinkedIn contacts to network with, freeing you to focus more on preparing for interviews and refining your teaching portfolio.

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