Jazz Vocal Technique Instructor

Merit School of Music is seeking a Jazz Vocal Technique Instructor to teach Jazz Vocal Technique Group Classes in our Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory Program (TFC). This regular part-time position runs from Saturday, September 12, 2026, through Saturday, April 3, 2027, and includes two weekly classes, an advanced Jazz Technique Study class and a Beginning Jazz Technique class, for about 1.5 hours of teaching per week.

TFC students are intermediate to highly advanced musicians in grades 6 through 12, and this role offers the opportunity to introduce young vocalists to the technique, style, and improvisational language of jazz singing at two different stages of their development.

• Bachelor's degree in music or equivalent experience and training.
• Proven success teaching voice students at varying skill levels, from beginner through advanced, with a strong emphasis on jazz vocal technique, style, and repertoire.
• Strong classroom management skills, with the ability to keep group classes engaging and focused.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with colleagues and administrators.
• A high level of personal musicianship.
• Punctual, professional, and communicative, with a flexible and adaptive disposition.
• A genuine commitment to Merit's mission and to dignity-centered communication with students, families, and colleagues.

Responsibilities of the Jazz Vocal Technique Instructor include, but are not limited to:

Teaching and Instruction – 85%

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in weekly group classes, commensurate with Merit's curricula, teaching philosophy, mission, and values.
• Communicate with on-site Merit voice faculty to determine individual student needs and goals.
• Provide Merit staff with student recommendations for additional Merit programming.

Administrative Duties – 15%

• Complete student attendance records for each class.
• Correspond with Merit staff and students/families in a timely fashion.
• Attend Merit faculty meetings and/or department meetings as scheduled.
• Other projects as assigned.

• The Jazz Vocal Technique Instructor will lead two group classes per week, totaling 1.5 hours.
• Group classes are held on Saturdays from September 12, 2026, through April 3, 2027. Jazz Technique Study (advanced) meets from 9:40–10:25 am, and Beginning Jazz Technique meets from 10:30–11:15 am.
• All group classes are taught in-person at Merit's West Loop location, the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, located at 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607.