Teaching Artist, Very Young Composers

Job Description

Job Description

About the New York Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic connects with millions of music lovers each season through live concerts in New York and around the world, as well as broadcasts, recordings, and education programs. After returning to a transformed David Geffen Hall in 2022, the Orchestra is acting on a renewed commitment to building on a legacy of more than 180 years, serving as a platform for today’s greatest musical artists and connecting with our communities. Gustavo Dudamel will become the Philharmonic’s Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music and Artistic Director beginning at the start of the 2026-2027 season.

About the Role

The New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program (VYC), founded by Very Young Composers Director Emeritus Jon Deak, composer and former New York Philharmonic Associate Principal Bass, is a program that celebrates children’s creativity by providing them with the tools they need to transform their musical ideas into finished compositions. Through the VYC Schools, Bridge, Summer Intensive, and partner programs, students are encouraged to use composing as a tool for self-expression and discovery, eventually hearing their original musical works rehearsed and performed by professional soloists, ensembles, and sometimes the full Orchestra. VYC students are regularly featured on the Young People’s Concerts, Concerts in the Parks, and on WQXR.

Reporting to the Director, Very Young Composers & Community Programs (VYC Director), VYC Teaching Artists (TA) are active participants in the creation and delivery of VYC teaching practices. They mentor students as they navigate projects, cultivating a playful, engaging, and supportive classroom community. Teaching Artists may also serve as leads, working with the VYC Director to manage class logistics and support other Teaching Artists.

Your Day-to-Day

• Lead and cultivate a highly creative and supportive classroom environment
• Introduce musical concepts that support the child’s understanding of musical composition in highly creative, playfully engaging ways
• Build and nurture strong relationships with partner school administration, teachers, coordinators, and parents as appropriate
• Encourage and support students as they compose
• Ensure students meet deadlines
• Assist students with transcription and ensure small ensemble works are performance ready, with legible parts and correctly notated scores
• Manage and archive assignments, projects, and other classwork
• Work with the VYC Director on coordination of onsite instrument demonstrations, read-throughs, rehearsals, and culminating performances
• Attend regular professional development sessions and Teaching Artist faculty meetings

What You Bring to the Team

Qualifications

• 3+ years of teaching, arts education, or related experience
• Experience working with youth in classroom or community-based settings
• Bachelor’s degree is required
• Solid knowledge of music theory and orchestration; composing and/or performance background preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication, public presentation, and interpersonal skills, with proficiency in computer-based music notation software
• Classroom teaching experience is highly desired; interest in multidisciplinary or multi-genre artistic practice is a plus

Who You Are

• A passionate educator with a love for working with children
• A collaborative partner who builds strong relationships across school communities
• Creative and flexible in adapting to different classroom environments
• Organized and dependable
• Committed to creating a playful, inclusive, and engaging learning environment

Compensation & Work Arrangement

TA role is a part-time, hourly position. The base teaching rate is $74 per hour, with rates for other service types and roles outlined in the New York Philharmonic Teaching Artist Rate Sheet.

Anticipated start date: July 6, 2026

Perks & Benefits

This is a part-time role. Benefits eligibility may vary based on hours worked and assignment type.

Everyone Belongs Here

The New York Philharmonic is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, immigration or citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital and partnership status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or active military service member or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment policies.