About South Shore Piano School
Our mission is to make music a meaningful part of as many lives as we can. Our deepest impact happens when we meet students where they are and give them the skills to learn and play for a lifetime.
The South Shore Piano School (SSPS) is a community music school that provides weekly one-on-one lessons and group classes for all students, regardless of age, level, or ability. Just as important, we provide community experiences every month in the form of recitals and workshops so that students know they are part of something bigger than themselves. This community support makes all the difference in making music part of students' lives for the long term.
South Shore Piano School started in September of 2019. We operate out of Quincy Point Congregational Church at 444 Washington St. Quincy, MA 02169. Since 2019, SSPS has grown to a student population of over 325 students with ten faculty members.
Since its inception, SSPS has been about putting the education of students and the well-being of teachers first and foremost. We believe that if teachers aren’t making a livable wage and have little to be excited about in their job, they can’t give students their best.
For this reason, we have structured our business model so that our teachers receive the highest pay in the region, as well as health/dental benefits and a retirement plan with a match for faculty with full-time hours (20-25 hours per week). In addition, we make every effort to supply materials and other resources our faculty need as our budget allows.
At SSPS, we are about changing the way community music schools are run. We lead with intention, collaboration, curiosity, and love. These values create a culture where teachers can thrive in their work, students can discover the joy of learning and acquiring musical skills, and the organization can make a greater impact on the community as we touch more lives every year.
About the Position
SSPS is seeking a new piano teacher to join our expanding faculty for a minimum of three days of teaching per week (approximately 15 hours), with studio space available Monday through Saturday.
With an especially urgent need, we are also able to offer full-time teaching hours if interested.
This is a W-2 employee position; we don’t believe in 1099 work for community music schools. If you’re working for a school, you shouldn’t have to pay taxes like you’re self-employed.
Our ideal candidate is comfortable teaching students age 4 and up (if ages 4-6 are less familiar but you have an interest in working with younger students, we can provide training). You must be comfortable teaching both in person and online over Zoom.
Our ideal candidate will possess a passion and curiosity for teaching that is based on skill-building. Repertoire-only or competition-focused teaching does not align with our mission at SSPS.
Our intention is to help our students develop their innate musicality, develop their ear, learn to read music, acquire theory skills, perform, and play with others. This is how we strive to help students learn to play for life.
We are actively seeking candidates who are:
Empathetic – Understanding where students are coming from and addressing each student’s unique situation without judgment.
Honest – You can openly speak your mind with colleagues and the director about anything you believe will help the organization thrive in its mission. Even if there is something the director can do better.
Collaborative – Working alongside others to create the best possible experience for our students. Nothing tears an organization apart like gossip, so we have a zero-tolerance no-gossip policy. (Gossip being defined as complaining about a problem in the organization with someone who is unable or unequipped to solve the problem. We want to actually solve problems instead.)
Humble – You can own your mistakes in a safe environment and model the ability to learn from mistakes. Finding ways to give credit and lift up others.
Curious – Understanding that you don’t have all the answers while creating space for your colleagues to share their wisdom. An unending interest in researching, discovering, and experimenting with new ways to teach students effectively and engagingly.
Organized – We take care of the scheduling, but you must keep track of your teaching schedule and lesson attendance. In addition to teaching, the faculty meet regularly for paid meetings to discuss goals, events, issues, and ideas for the organization.
Strong Communicators – It’s essential that regular communication is maintained with the director, other faculty, students and parents while maintaining healthy work-life boundaries. Work-related emails must be responded to in a timely manner.
Communication with parents is not only about their practice assignments for the week, but also about upcoming events and opportunities. They receive messages from the organization, but we know that students participate more fully in all that makes SSPS special when they are encouraged by their teacher.
You’ll also need to be comfortable facilitating group events (recitals or workshops) or live Zoom calls with anywhere from 1 to over 100 attendees.
Reporting Line
On paper, piano faculty report to the director, Jonathan Roberts. But on a day-to-day basis, SSPS is all about creating a space where decisions and ideas are explored together in a collaborative environment. We don’t run an event, hire a new faculty member, or make a large investment unless everyone feels good about it.
Salary and Benefits
$60/hour private instruction
$80/hour group instruction
$25/hour meeting time
5% yearly raises, assuming the budget allows for it
**All rates non-negotiable
What We Welcome and Encourage
We welcome all applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or gender identity. If you love teaching piano and would like to become part of a community that does things differently, values teachers and students above all else, and makes a meaningful impact on students’ lives, we encourage you to apply.
What We Don’t
No minimum number of years of experience. No degrees required beyond a bachelor’s degree in piano performance (other music degrees with a strong piano background will be considered). We don't offer higher starting pay rates for more degrees or experience.
While we would like to learn more about your background in piano, we don’t favor candidates who went to famous conservatories or studied with famous teachers.
As a learning institution, we care about what you’ve learned throughout the course of your life. And we believe the best candidates will have learned the relevant job skills and developed their teaching experience and philosophies of education in a wide variety of ways. Should you decide to apply, please focus your application materials on your experience and interest in teaching.
How To Apply
To apply, please send the following items to SSPS director Jonathan Roberts at j.roberts@southshorepianoschool.com.
1. A resumé detailing your background in piano, your experience teaching, and any other information that would be pertinent to your interest in teaching with SSPS. (No cover letter required…that will be covered in item 2).
2. A short video explaining your teaching experience, how that experience has shaped your philosophies of teaching, your teaching approaches and preferred materials working with children and adults, and why you are interested in teaching with us at SSPS.
3. At least three recommendations from people who can speak to your teaching. Whether they be former employers, students/parents, or colleagues. Contact information is fine, no letters required.
4. Only for applicants holding a music degree that is not in piano performance (for example, music education, composition, etc.), please include a video of your playing.
Production quality will not be a factor in the video portion of the application; all that matters is we can see and hear you clearly. You can share the video by unlisted YouTube link, Google Drive, or any other means that can be sent by email.
We will invite candidates for a live interview and teaching demonstration with the director and faculty members for the final portion of the interview process.
As we have an immediate need, applications and hiring will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. For best consideration, please submit your materials as soon as possible.
Please forward any questions to Jonathan Roberts at j.roberts@southshorepianoschool.com.