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Music educator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

J. Anthony Allen,

J. Anthony Allen

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical music educator skills. We ranked the top skills for music educators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 29.2% of music educator resumes contained music education as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a music educator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 music educator skills for your resume and career

1. Music Education

Here's how music educators use music education:

Develop networks and establishing collaborations with others working in music education in your area.
Assisted in the development of district-wide music education curriculum.

2. Classroom Management

Here's how music educators use classroom management:

Gained refined knowledge of classroom management techniques, child and adolescent psychology and development, and strategies for enhancing student performance.
Designed and implemented assessments measuring progress of learned music standards and classroom management strategies.

3. K-12

K12 is a term that incldues all 12 years of education in the US education system. It includes the education offered at the primary stage, middle stage, and secondary stage. It includes children of ages as young as 5 to 18 years. The grades included in K12 are Kindergarten, the initial 5 stages, grades 6 to 8, and 9 to 12. This system is followed specifically followed in the US and may vary in other countries.

Here's how music educators use k-12:

General Music K-5, Special Education Arts Instructor, Vocal Music 9-12, Musical Theater K-12, Strings Instruction 4-5.
Created a cognitive music program (both instrumental and vocal) for the K-12 music students.

4. Music Theory

Here's how music educators use music theory:

Educated children in kindergarten through sixth grade in general music theory, skills, and appreciation.
Design lessons around music theory, including composition, rhythmic diction and melodic dictation.

5. Public Schools

Public schools are available for everyone. They are funded and controlled by the government. With state guidance, each school board determines the curricula, finances, and jobs for schools within its borders. The government also decides on academic standards and standardised tests.

Here's how music educators use public schools:

Designed and taught music programs for children K-6 for the public schools in Revere, Boston, and Cambridge.
Conduct Hartford Public Schools Honors Band concerts.

6. Music Curriculum

Here's how music educators use music curriculum:

Adapted general music curriculum to meet educational needs of special education students.
Implemented music curriculum to fulfill graduation requirement

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7. Music Program

A music program refers to a musical rendition. It could be either created just for the sake of expression and to discover how music triggers feelings and emotions or to represent an idea, a story, or anything else via music.

Here's how music educators use music program:

Managed and directed elementary music program.
Directed youth music programs, concert bands, marching bands, theater orchestras, large and small jazz ensembles.

8. Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an early form of education that begins when a child is about five years old. During kindergarten, children learn the basic elements of reading, writing, and mathematics in addition to colors, telling time, sharing, and similar principles. Kindergarten classes are typically overseen by a single teacher who lectures on all of the subjects listed.

Here's how music educators use kindergarten:

Educate students grade Kindergarten - 8th grade in general music and music technology.
General and Choral music teacher for all students grades kindergarten through 5.

9. Pre-K

Pre-K or pre-kindergarten is a classroom-based program for children below the age of five, and it is a voluntary preschool program. It helps the child develop social and emotional development before they are ready to start preschool.

Here's how music educators use pre-k:

Coordinated both Holiday and Spring Plays for Elementary grades: Pre-K through Fourth.
Lead in-school piano program for students Pre-K to 4th Grade, utilizing the unique Kids on Keys and Musique Rapide programs.

10. Music Performance

Here's how music educators use music performance:

Create and instruct original secondary general music courses focused on songwriting, music performance and production.
Coached, rehearsed and directed large groups for musicals as well as music performances.

11. State Standards

State Standards refer to the educational standards within each state. These standards are set by the Department of Education of each state and outline what students must learn within each grade and subject. The teachers' training and standardized testing is also based on what the standards outline.

Here's how music educators use state standards:

Developed lesson plans following state standards in music.
Core instruction consists of locating, designing and implementing instructional strategies and learning opportunities consistent with Florida State Standards.

12. Fine Arts

Here's how music educators use fine arts:

Work closely with educational, arts, and business communities to promote fine arts education.
Organized field trips & scheduled musical performances with local fine arts organizations encouraging music appreciation.

13. Behavior Management

Here's how music educators use behavior management:

Improved behavior management and overall classroom behavior with rigid consequence and reward system.

14. K-8

Here's how music educators use k-8:

Prepare and present K-8 music lessons Collaborate on concerts with other staff Committee for School uniforms
General music grades K-8 Student Council Advisor Implemented Missoula Children's Theatre experience for 2 years

15. Private Lessons

Private lessons provide knowledge, learning, or practice to an individual on a one on one basis.

Here's how music educators use private lessons:

Provided private lessons to community.
Provided private lessons for piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet for students of all ages.

5 Music Educator resume examples

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What skills help Music Educators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on music educator resumes?

J. Anthony Allen

Assistant Professor - Music, Media and Management, Augsburg University

Technology. First and foremost.
Not only because we are in the age of "are we online or are we not online," but because using technology in-studio lessons can be very, very beneficial. For example, having a lesson that you can record (audio and/or video) for the student to review while practicing to help that student stay on track. In addition to that, using notation software shared documents, and other online resources can really help a student learn.

What hard/technical skills are most important for music educators?

J. Anthony Allen

Assistant Professor - Music, Media and Management, Augsburg University

In addition to the obvious: Being really good on your instrument and teaching it well, the next would be the technology stuff I mentioned above.

What soft skills should all music educators possess?

Joelle Morris

Visiting Lecturer, Director of Bates College Choir, Associate in Voice, Bates College

Effective and clear communication - many musical concepts need to be broken down into smaller, more understandable units. The ability to connect with students at their level of understanding is incredibly important.

Constructive feedback. No need to be Pollyanna. However, I am exceedingly glad the days of strict, overbearing, and sometimes abusive 'maestros' are no longer tolerated. Students learn so much better with clear, constructive criticism. Being able to point out what students can improve on while praising them on the skills they've already refined fosters a positive learning environment for all.

Motivation. It's a difficult balance because students have to find their own self-motivation. However, as a musician, I try to show my students by example. I talk to them about my own practice schedule, how much I rehearse and collaborate with other musicians. That these skills do not come easily but with diligence, discipline, and practice. As an educator, my job is to continue fostering a love and interest in music for myself and my students.

What music educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Laurie Marks

Adjunct Instructor, Marquette University

One crucial thing any upcoming grad (including those studying Conflict Resolution) can do is look for experiences through internships or other forms of experiential learning that will help them build both soft skills and technical skills. For example, this means seeking opportunities where they are learning both written and verbal communication skills and cross-cultural communication skills. Having a robust and soft skill set is critical, especially in the first few years of one's career, developing a professional identity. Getting experience with the technical skills employers seek when trying to hire someone with a background in conflict resolution is also critical. Going into a job interview and talking specifically about how you were a part of engaging groups in one or more forms of conflict resolution methods can set potential candidates apart from others. Learning the methods and theories is essential, but equally important is applying it and reflecting on how you want to articulate your experience in an interview.

What type of skills will young music educators need?

Jennifer Matsue Ph.D.

Professor of Music, Chair, Union College

Music majors, minors, and students who participate in ensembles, whether taking courses or not, go on to do many, many things--from graduate school in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, to entering the workforce immediately following graduation. Some students go on to careers in music composition, business or technology, or become educators themselves.

But the vast majority of students who study music in a liberal arts environment, such as the one found at Union College, learn to embrace creative, fearless, innovative idea-making, whether they pursue a future career in music or not. Studying music enriches all our lives, demanding deep focus and keen attention to detail, the ability to think on one's feet, and the ability to communicate with people, all grounded in the shared joy of the arts.

What technical skills for a music educator stand out to employers?

Fred David Romines Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Marywood University

Instructional templates that employ the latest software seamlessly integrated with in-person and remote instruction.

Do you want to know more?

List of music educator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a music educator resume and required skills for a music educator to have include:

Music Education
Classroom Management
K-12
Music Theory
Public Schools
Music Curriculum
Music Program
Kindergarten
Pre-K
Music Performance
State Standards
Fine Arts
Behavior Management
K-8
Private Lessons

Music History
Curriculum Development
K-6
Keyboard
Drama
Vocal Music
Grades K-5
Music Appreciation
Music Festival
Orff
Band Program
Choral Music
Elementary Music
Elementary Schools
Songwriting

Musical Instruments
Music Technology
General Music Classes
Concert Band
Music Composition
Group Lessons
K-4
Classroom Environment
Course Materials
Jazz Band
Piano Lessons
EAR Training
Community Events
Voice Lessons

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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