Looking for a meaningful career in music education or youth development? Explore current job openings at Soundscapes and join a passionate team dedicated to helping young people build confidence, connection, and life skills through the power of music.
Current Openings
Site: Various Soundscapes program sites in the Hampton Roads & Greater Richmond area
Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Pay: $33.92 per hour
Benefits: Paid time off, employee dental insurance, paid holidays, SIMPLE IRA with employer match
Employment Period: As opportunities become available
Schedule: Varies by program, site, and position. May include weekday afternoons and evenings, professional development, planning and documentation time, staff meetings, performances, family events, and occasional weekends.
Reports To: Program Director, Program Manager, and/or designated program supervisor
Close Date: Open until filled
About This Posting
Soundscapes accepts applications on an ongoing basis from qualified music educators, teaching artists, musicians, and youth-development professionals interested in current or future part-time teaching opportunities. Applying does not guarantee immediate employment or a specific position. Soundscapes may contact applicants when appropriate opportunities become available based on program needs, qualifications, musical specialty, experience, and availability.
This posting is intended to build a strong pool of prospective teaching artists for opportunities across Soundscapes programs and sites. Applicants may be considered for positions involving different instruments, musical specialties, student age groups, instructional levels, and program models.
Application Procedure
To apply, please email a cover letter, résumé/curriculum vitae, and three professional references to contact@soundscapeshr.org.
Please also include the following information in your application or cover letter:
• Your primary instrument(s) or area(s) of musical expertise
• Your experience teaching music and/or working with young people
• Your general weekday availability
• Your preferred or possible Soundscapes program locations (Hampton, Newport News, or Chesterfield)
• Whether you are interested in substitute/short-term assignments, regular teaching assignments, or both
NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
About Soundscapes Daily Programs
Soundscapes’ Daily Programs use the power of music to transform lives. Through ensemble-based learning, students discover their voice, develop confidence, and build the skills that help them thrive both on and off the stage. Inspired by the international El Sistema movement, Soundscapes creates joyful, high-energy learning environments where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
Since 2009, Soundscapes has partnered with public schools and community organizations to offer free, high-quality music education for young people. Our programs combine musicianship, creativity, and social-emotional learning in a multi-year continuum that begins with rhythmic play and singing and grows into full orchestral and jazz performance. Students progress through the program using Soundscapes’ nine-dimension developmental rubric, which tracks growth in musical and character-based skills.
Position Summary
Soundscapes seeks passionate, skilled, and dedicated music educators and teaching artists for current and future part-time teaching opportunities.
Teaching opportunities may span a wide range of instruments, musical disciplines, instructional levels, and student age groups. We welcome applicants with experience in instrumental or vocal instruction, general music, ensemble direction, music literacy, aural skills, orchestral or jazz education, creative music-making, or other relevant music education specialties.
Successful candidates will bring strong musicianship, a commitment to youth development, and the ability to create engaging, structured, inclusive, and joyful learning environments. Depending on the opportunity, teaching artists may provide individual, small-group, or ensemble-based instruction for beginning through advanced students.
Potential Course & Teaching Areas
Teaching opportunities may include, but are not limited to:
• General music, aural skills, music literacy, and musicianship
• Vocal instruction and choral music
• Strings, including violin, viola, cello, and double bass
• Woodwinds, including flute, clarinet, and saxophone
• Brass, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, and tuba
• Percussion and drum set
• Piano, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, and other fretted instruments
• Jazz improvisation, jazz ensemble, and contemporary music
• Orchestra, chamber music, and ensemble direction
• Early childhood and elementary music education
• Creative music-making and exploratory instruments
• Beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumental or vocal instruction
Candidates do not need to be qualified in every area listed above. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their particular instruments, musical specialties, teaching methods, and areas of expertise.
Responsibilities
• Act as a positive role model through excellent musicianship, community-minded leadership, equitable and empathetic teaching, and reflective practice.
• Prepare age-, ability-, and program-appropriate repertoire, lessons, activities, and learning experiences.
• Provide engaging individual, small-group, or ensemble-based music instruction.
• Develop students’ musical skills while supporting confidence, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and positive behavior.
• Create a safe, joyful, structured, and inclusive learning environment with high musical and behavioral expectations.
• Plan instruction in alignment with Soundscapes curriculum, program goals, and student developmental needs.
• Collaborate with teaching artists, program managers, supervisors, school or community partners, and administrative staff.
• Maintain student records and documentation and support assessment of student progress.
• Communicate student progress and relevant concerns to families and program leadership as appropriate.
• Participate in professional development, coaching, staff meetings, and reflective planning as scheduled.
• Attend performances, field trips, family events, and other special activities as required.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and engagement as appropriate.
• Properly maintain and care for Soundscapes instruments, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
• Demonstrated proficiency on one or more musical instruments and/or in vocal performance.
• Experience teaching music, working with young people, performing, directing ensembles, or another combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Formal music education or performance training is preferred but not required for all positions.
• Experience may range from emerging teaching artists and musicians with relevant youth experience to highly experienced music educators and professional performers.
• Strong classroom management and youth-development skills.
• Ability to create engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences for students with varying levels of musical experience.
• Commitment to music education as a vehicle for youth development and social change.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Self-directed, punctual, dependable, and responsive to feedback.
• Basic familiarity with Google Drive and Docs, or willingness to learn.
• Reliable transportation to assigned programming and professional development sites.
• Willingness to work at other Soundscapes sites when mutually arranged and operationally necessary.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, trips, or special events.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Depending on the position, finalists may be asked to demonstrate musical proficiency and/or teach a short lesson as part of the interview process.
Mission
To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.
Our Values
Inclusivity: We provide accessible, safe, caring, and respectful environments where all are welcome and valued for their unique contributions.
Growth: We encourage hard work, persistence, creativity, and resilience.
Community: We foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
Fun: We provide engaging and inspiring experiences.
Integrity: We act fairly and ethically in support of our students, staff, and community.
El Sistema
Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in over 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest organization in the United States inspired by El Sistema, the first in Virginia, and a leader among American programs.
Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA, and several staff members have served on the ESUSA Board of Directors. This national alliance allows members to share resources, values, aspirations, and advocacy efforts.
Status: Part-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Pay: $33.92 per hour
Benefits: Paid time off, employee dental insurance, paid holidays, SIMPLE IRA with employer match
Employment Period: As opportunities become available
Schedule: Varies by program, site, and position. May include weekday afternoons and evenings, professional development, planning and documentation time, staff meetings, performances, family events, and occasional weekends.
Reports To: Program Director, Program Manager, and/or designated program supervisor
Close Date: Open until filled
About This Posting
Soundscapes accepts applications on an ongoing basis from qualified music educators, teaching artists, musicians, and youth-development professionals interested in current or future part-time teaching opportunities. Applying does not guarantee immediate employment or a specific position. Soundscapes may contact applicants when appropriate opportunities become available based on program needs, qualifications, musical specialty, experience, and availability.
This posting is intended to build a strong pool of prospective teaching artists for opportunities across Soundscapes programs and sites. Applicants may be considered for positions involving different instruments, musical specialties, student age groups, instructional levels, and program models.
Application Procedure
To apply, please email a cover letter, résumé/curriculum vitae, and three professional references to contact@soundscapeshr.org.
Please also include the following information in your application or cover letter:
• Your primary instrument(s) or area(s) of musical expertise
• Your experience teaching music and/or working with young people
• Your general weekday availability
• Your preferred or possible Soundscapes program locations (Hampton, Newport News, or Chesterfield)
• Whether you are interested in substitute/short-term assignments, regular teaching assignments, or both
NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
About Soundscapes Daily Programs
Soundscapes’ Daily Programs use the power of music to transform lives. Through ensemble-based learning, students discover their voice, develop confidence, and build the skills that help them thrive both on and off the stage. Inspired by the international El Sistema movement, Soundscapes creates joyful, high-energy learning environments where every child is seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
Since 2009, Soundscapes has partnered with public schools and community organizations to offer free, high-quality music education for young people. Our programs combine musicianship, creativity, and social-emotional learning in a multi-year continuum that begins with rhythmic play and singing and grows into full orchestral and jazz performance. Students progress through the program using Soundscapes’ nine-dimension developmental rubric, which tracks growth in musical and character-based skills.
Position Summary
Soundscapes seeks passionate, skilled, and dedicated music educators and teaching artists for current and future part-time teaching opportunities.
Teaching opportunities may span a wide range of instruments, musical disciplines, instructional levels, and student age groups. We welcome applicants with experience in instrumental or vocal instruction, general music, ensemble direction, music literacy, aural skills, orchestral or jazz education, creative music-making, or other relevant music education specialties.
Successful candidates will bring strong musicianship, a commitment to youth development, and the ability to create engaging, structured, inclusive, and joyful learning environments. Depending on the opportunity, teaching artists may provide individual, small-group, or ensemble-based instruction for beginning through advanced students.
Potential Course & Teaching Areas
Teaching opportunities may include, but are not limited to:
• General music, aural skills, music literacy, and musicianship
• Vocal instruction and choral music
• Strings, including violin, viola, cello, and double bass
• Woodwinds, including flute, clarinet, and saxophone
• Brass, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, and tuba
• Percussion and drum set
• Piano, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, and other fretted instruments
• Jazz improvisation, jazz ensemble, and contemporary music
• Orchestra, chamber music, and ensemble direction
• Early childhood and elementary music education
• Creative music-making and exploratory instruments
• Beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumental or vocal instruction
Candidates do not need to be qualified in every area listed above. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their particular instruments, musical specialties, teaching methods, and areas of expertise.
Responsibilities
• Act as a positive role model through excellent musicianship, community-minded leadership, equitable and empathetic teaching, and reflective practice.
• Prepare age-, ability-, and program-appropriate repertoire, lessons, activities, and learning experiences.
• Provide engaging individual, small-group, or ensemble-based music instruction.
• Develop students’ musical skills while supporting confidence, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and positive behavior.
• Create a safe, joyful, structured, and inclusive learning environment with high musical and behavioral expectations.
• Plan instruction in alignment with Soundscapes curriculum, program goals, and student developmental needs.
• Collaborate with teaching artists, program managers, supervisors, school or community partners, and administrative staff.
• Maintain student records and documentation and support assessment of student progress.
• Communicate student progress and relevant concerns to families and program leadership as appropriate.
• Participate in professional development, coaching, staff meetings, and reflective planning as scheduled.
• Attend performances, field trips, family events, and other special activities as required.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and engagement as appropriate.
• Properly maintain and care for Soundscapes instruments, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
• Demonstrated proficiency on one or more musical instruments and/or in vocal performance.
• Experience teaching music, working with young people, performing, directing ensembles, or another combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• Formal music education or performance training is preferred but not required for all positions.
• Experience may range from emerging teaching artists and musicians with relevant youth experience to highly experienced music educators and professional performers.
• Strong classroom management and youth-development skills.
• Ability to create engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences for students with varying levels of musical experience.
• Commitment to music education as a vehicle for youth development and social change.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Self-directed, punctual, dependable, and responsive to feedback.
• Basic familiarity with Google Drive and Docs, or willingness to learn.
• Reliable transportation to assigned programming and professional development sites.
• Willingness to work at other Soundscapes sites when mutually arranged and operationally necessary.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, trips, or special events.
• Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Depending on the position, finalists may be asked to demonstrate musical proficiency and/or teach a short lesson as part of the interview process.
Mission
To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.
Our Values
Inclusivity: We provide accessible, safe, caring, and respectful environments where all are welcome and valued for their unique contributions.
Growth: We encourage hard work, persistence, creativity, and resilience.
Community: We foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
Fun: We provide engaging and inspiring experiences.
Integrity: We act fairly and ethically in support of our students, staff, and community.
El Sistema
Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in over 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest organization in the United States inspired by El Sistema, the first in Virginia, and a leader among American programs.
Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA, and several staff members have served on the ESUSA Board of Directors. This national alliance allows members to share resources, values, aspirations, and advocacy efforts.
Soundscapes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of knowledge, performance, and professionalism and to the development of a climate that supports equality and diversity in our staff and student community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse background, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran statuses, or other statuses protected by law.
Successful applicants must meet the requirements of Soundscapes, Inc.’s background screening process.
