"Assistant Professor of Piano"

Position Overview

The University of Kansas School of Music is seeking highly qualified applicants for a full-time, academic year (nine month), tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Piano position to begin Fall 2026.

Primary responsibilities of this position include teaching applied piano lessons at the undergraduate and graduate level, teaching piano pedagogy and possibly other related courses, including repertoire classes and doctoral seminars in performance and pedagogy, coaching chamber music; overseeing class piano instruction; supervising of GTA's; and program administration and management of the digital piano laboratory. The successful candidate will also supervise and edit doctoral projects.

Additional responsibilities include recruiting students and maintaining a piano studio as well as sustaining artistic excellence with performing with faculty colleagues and students in regional, national and international activities. The faculty member will also be engaged in recruiting students in performance and pedagogy, serve on graduate and faculty committees, and establishing a research/creative agenda reflective of artistic growth and expanding a reputation of excellence in the field.

Joining faculty members will have numerous opportunities for collaboration and be welcomed into a culture of growth and development.

KU offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, generous leave programs, and tuition assistance for eligible employees and their dependents. For more information visit https://newhires.ku.edu/. Candidates must have valid work authorization at the time of hire.

Job Description

40% - Teaching

• It is the expectation to teach two courses one semester and three the other semester each academic year. Specific course assignments and locations are at the discretion of the chair of your department, in consultation with you. You are expect4ed to have established, posted office hours of at least two hours per week and be available to meet with students by appointment.

40% - Research/Creative Work

• It is the expectation of your position that you engage in a program of creativity activity/research and share your work with colleagues and/or the public at large, through publication or other activities as detailed in your department or program's faculty evaluation plan and promotion and tenure policy.

20% - Service

• It is the expectation of your position that you engage in a program of creativity activity/research and share your work with colleagues and/or the public at large, through publication or other activities as detailed in your department or program's faculty evaluation plan and promotion and tenure policy.

Required Qualifications

1. Doctoral degree in music by the start of appointment.
2. Demonstrated record of productive teaching experience at the collegiate or equivalent level.
3. Previous experience recruiting students.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community

Contact Information to Applicants

Ellen Sommer
ellenb@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application will consist of:

1. Completion of the online application
2. A letter of interest
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Contact information (email & telephone number) for three references who can be contacted for recommendation
5. A 1-2 page statement discussing personal teaching philosophy within a comprehensive university school of music, including objectives and the means of achieving those objectives.
6. Links to three videos of recent performances.

Other materials upon request only.

Application review date will be Monday, March 23, 2026 and will continue until a qualified applicant has been selected.

Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins
23-Mar-2026

Anticipated Start Date
18-Aug-2026