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Music instructor vs teaching artist

The differences between music instructors and teaching artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a music instructor and a teaching artist. Additionally, a teaching artist has an average salary of $66,565, which is higher than the $57,930 average annual salary of a music instructor.

The top three skills for a music instructor include classroom management, adaptive and fine arts. The most important skills for a teaching artist are art curriculum, arts education, and art lessons.

Music instructor vs teaching artist overview

Music InstructorTeaching Artist
Yearly salary$57,930$66,565
Hourly rate$27.85$32.00
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs26,7884,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a music instructor do?

A Music Teacher instructs children and adults to sing or play instruments. They may teach lessons at school, train students at home, or conduct choir rehearsals.

What does a teaching artist do?

A Teaching Artist is responsible for teaching knowledge and skills in art, including drawing, painting, lettering, and art history. They also develop, submit, and implement lesson plans.

Music instructor vs teaching artist salary

Music instructors and teaching artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Music InstructorTeaching Artist
Average salary$57,930$66,565
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $96,000Between $39,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictThe New York Pops
Best paying industryMediaGovernment

Differences between music instructor and teaching artist education

There are a few differences between a music instructor and a teaching artist in terms of educational background:

Music InstructorTeaching Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorMusicTheatre
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Music instructor vs teaching artist demographics

Here are the differences between music instructors' and teaching artists' demographics:

Music InstructorTeaching Artist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 63.7% Female, 36.3%Male, 31.1% Female, 68.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between music instructor and teaching artist duties and responsibilities

Music instructor example responsibilities.

  • Direct camper band, lead collaborative songwriting, and organize performances.
  • Accomplish building curriculum that do not exist in previous years focuse on Pre-K through 6th grade.
  • Instruct musical skills and techniques to middle and high school students on the saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
  • Apply classical/jazz saxophone and clarinet tutor
  • Instruct in the fields of mathematics and the English language.
  • Instruct children in songwriting, ensemble playing, and stage presence.
  • Show more

Teaching artist example responsibilities.

  • Perform weekly at NYC schools, lead talkbacks, and conduct workshops for students of all ages.
  • Lead an outreach art program in a public school in the Bronx for 4th and 5th grade students.
  • Utilize computers and software to develop teaching materials, manage classroom records and email, and produce PowerPoint presentations.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills, well-execute and expedient application of makeup to achieve the look guests desires.
  • Participate in OFAR's social sculpture and create an installation-base film dedicate to social justice and engagement
  • Teach classes in improv, sketch, acting, and playwriting
  • Show more

Music instructor vs teaching artist skills

Common music instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 13%
  • Adaptive, 10%
  • Fine Arts, 8%
  • Music Program, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Music Education, 6%
Common teaching artist skills
  • Art Curriculum, 13%
  • Arts Education, 5%
  • Art Lessons, 5%
  • Public Schools, 5%
  • Creative Drama, 4%
  • Poetry, 4%

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