Teacher of Jazz Percussion/Drums, Department of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation

About the School of Music, Theatre & Dance: SMTD cultivates artistic vitality, advances knowledge, and serves the public good through exceptional teaching, creative practice, scholarly inquiry, and community engagement. As a premier performing arts school in a world class public research institution, we prepare students to lead with both artistic excellence and ethical action, enriching society through the transformative power of the performing arts.

Duties

The appointee will be expected to teach applied jazz percussion/drums along with possible courses in improvisation, arranging, composition, rhythm, small jazz ensemble coaching, jazz history, gospel music, or a further area pending the strengths of the candidate. Preference will be given to applicants who embrace the expanded horizons of the Department of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation—which offers coursework and degree programs (including a D.M.A) that span mainstream jazz to experimentalism. The appointee will also be expected to: demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence; create an innovative curriculum for a broad range of students of varied identities and backgrounds who seek to explore a range of educational opportunities and career pathways; recruit and retain students of exceptional promise; and continue to develop and maintain a visible national and international profile as a performer, composer, and pedagogue. The appointee will also be expected to participate in faculty governance, attend faculty meetings, and serve on faculty and university committees as appropriate.

Qualifications

A master’s degree or commensurate professional experience.

Required: Performance experience demonstrating high quality artistry in the area of jazz percussion/drums. A demonstrated ability to empower, advocate for, and value a broad range of students of diverse identities and experiences, as shown through pedagogy, mentoring, and related activities.

Rank: Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track

Work Mode: This position is required to teach on campus weekly.

Application Instructions

To Apply: Materials are only being accepted via Interfolio, https://apply.interfolio.com/185517. Required documents to be uploaded are: letter of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of professional and teaching activity, and a list of at least five current references with contact information [three letters of recommendation may be required, depending on discipline].

Please ensure you upload documents to the position for which you are applying and not to your personal Interfolio account.

Deadline: Review of materials will begin on October 1, 2026.