Hiring Department

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
CONSERVATORY
Division of Music

The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for a full-time faculty appointment for the academic year, beginning August 2026 through May 2027. We seek a versatile pianist and educator with expertise in popular, contemporary, or stage styles, who will help expand the scope of keyboard studies beyond classical traditions.

We especially seek someone who can build a bridge between traditional conservatory training and the evolving demands of today’s music industry—offering students the artistic fluency, stylistic flexibility, and creative confidence needed for a modern career in the performing arts.

This position supports the Conservatory’s strategic goal of growing beyond the traditional training model to prepare artists for a diverse and dynamic job market. We welcome candidates with experience in improvisation, musical theatre, pop, R&B, or other commercial styles, who bring a collaborative, genre-fluid approach to performance and pedagogy.

Job Description

Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano (Popular and Contemporary Styles)

The Visiting Assistant Professor position is a 9-month unranked non-tenure track faculty position. This full-time faculty position provides 12 months of benefits. The anticipated workload is 80% Teaching (4/4) and 20% Service.

Primary Responsibilities:

Teach applied piano to performance and non-performance music majors, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
Teach keyboard skills to keyboard area majors, incorporating contemporary skills relevant to a broad variety of professional opportunities.
Additional responsibilities could include teaching individual or group classes on contemporary styles to piano majors or non-pianist music majors, collaborating with faculty and students on musical theatre productions, and coaching chamber music as needed.
Contribute to curriculum development and student mentorship aligned with emerging professional pathways.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in music or commensurate professional experience.
Demonstrated excellence as a performer and teacher in both classical and contemporary/popular idioms

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration across music, theatre, and dance.
Applied teaching experience at the collegiate level in relevant areas.
Ability to connect applied instruction with a broad range of professional artistic outcomes.
Experience collaborating with singers, actors, and/or ensembles in modern and/or theatrical genres.