Teaching Faculty

Who We Are

Walker West Music Academy is a vibrant music school for students of all ages, from 5-year-olds to adults. We offer affordable, accessible, high-quality instruction in all genres of music with a special emphasis on jazz, gospel, and improvisational music. Founded by African American musicians, Walker West is believed to be the oldest community music school of its kind in the nation.

The high-quality music education we provide is rooted in the African American cultural experience, creating a nurturing environment where students and educators form a genuine community of learning.

Our faculty consists entirely of working musicians who bring real-world experience into every lesson. At Walker West, we're not just teaching music, we're building connections, fostering creativity, and honoring the rich traditions that make music a powerful force for bringing people together.

$30.00 - $50.00 per hour, depending on qualifications; Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) as legally required.

Because Walker West is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary’s University, Walker West employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits y’s University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

This is a regular, part-time position that works 10 hours per week and is in-person.

A typical day as part of Walker West’s Teaching Faculty provides an opportunity to nurture musical talent and foster a lifelong love for the arts within their students and the wider community. Responsibilities will include the following:

• Delivering high-quality, engaging, and individualized music instruction in areas of expertise (e.g., piano, voice, strings, brass, woodwinds, drums, specific genres like jazz, classical, gospel, etc.).
• Developing and implementing lessons tailored to meet the diverse needs, skill levels, and musical goals of individual students and/or groups, from beginners to advanced learners, and across various age ranges.
• Integrating music theory, history, technique, and appreciation into lessons.
• Staying current with pedagogical methods and musical trends.
• Assessing student progress regularly and providing constructive, encouraging feedback.
• Inspiring and motivating students to practice consistently and achieve their full musical potential.
• Preparing students for recitals, performances, and auditions as appropriate.
• Organizing and directing student performances, recitals, and other performance opportunities within the Academy and the community.
• Collaborating with other faculty members and staff on interdisciplinary projects and academy-wide events.
• Communicating effectively and regularly with students, parents/guardians, and Academy staff regarding student progress, concerns, and opportunities.

• You demonstrate proficiency in your primary instrument(s) and possess deep knowledge of relevant music theory and history.
• You have previous teaching experience, preferably in a music academy or similar educational setting.
• You have the ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with students of all ages and backgrounds.
• You demonstrate patience, enthusiasm, and a passion for music education.

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of Walker West. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.

We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We value the contributions of a diverse…