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Music instructor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Rachel Blackburn Ph.D.,

R. Scott Hengen

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical music instructor skills. We ranked the top skills for music instructors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.8% of music instructor resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a music instructor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 music instructor skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Here's how music instructors use classroom management:

Implemented various classroom management techniques for maintaining student attention, involvement and discipline, specifically differentiation.
Worked one-on-one with teacher mentor and other teachers to develop pedagogical and classroom management skills.

2. Adaptive

Here's how music instructors use adaptive:

Provide private and partner piano lessons and adaptive lessons to children and adults.
Implement adaptive lessons for students with learning or physical disabilities.

3. Fine Arts

Here's how music instructors use fine arts:

Developed lesson plans to enrich young lives through use of music and fine arts.
Designed and implemented a fine arts program for grades Kindergarten through sixth.

4. 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 instructors use music program:

Instructed music for piano students * Organized bi-yearly music programs/recitals for performances at retirement centers/nursing homes * Maintained Excel accounting data
Developed a music program to reinforce concepts and language-based goals using tangibles and visuals to encourage participation.

5. Instructional Materials

Here's how music instructors use instructional materials:

Maintain lesson plans and instructional materials for students.
Prepared instructional materials and lesson plans.

6. Music Education

Here's how music instructors use music education:

Develop networks and establishing collaborations with others working in music education in area.
Provided students with a comprehensive music education, academic reinforcement and personal guidance.

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7. Keyboard

Here's how music instructors use keyboard:

Developed introductory music instruction for multiple instruments and group classes in beginning guitar and keyboard.
Conducted group/individual keyboard and vocal activities

8. Syllabus

Here's how music instructors use syllabus:

Construct a class syllabus in compliance with State and Federal guidelines.
Championed an AP Music Theory Course offering Developed a successful and AP Board approved course syllabus and curriculum

9. Music Appreciation

Here's how music instructors use music appreciation:

Developed and used stimulating lesson plans to help students foster music appreciation.
Provide music appreciation education using exhibition sessions with instruments.

10. Brass

Here's how music instructors use brass:

Trained brass players to improve skill and quality of sound when performing Led musical rehearsal and provided ensemble feedback
Provided private and group music instruction for students of low brass instruments within the public school system.

11. Music History

Here's how music instructors use music history:

Led discussions about music history, involving resident/students personal history and interests where applicable.
Utilize music theory analysis, visual and aural music skills, and music history knowledge.

12. Music Curriculum

Here's how music instructors use music curriculum:

Advanced Music Theory, Successfully and effectively prepared students for upper division music curriculum.
Initiated rebuilding program for only instrumental music curriculum on Hopi Indian Reservation.

13. 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 instructors use k-12:

Performed for and educated K-12 students on the history of jazz through the Young Audience Program, sponsored by Mobil Corporation.
Teach general music to K-5 grade students in a University Model K-12 Christian college preparatory school.

14. Music Theory

Here's how music instructors use music theory:

Adapted to exceptionally gifted students by digging deeper into subject matter, providing lessons in music theory/composition.
Educated people of all ages in playing musical instruments and understanding music theory-Performed semiannual recitals with students

15. Jazz Ensemble

A jazz ensemble is a musical ensemble made up of a rhythm and horn that regularly perform to play jazz music.

Here's how music instructors use jazz ensemble:

Directed numerous ensembles including: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Variety of small groups and Soloists.
House Band Leader of jazz ensemble at Eddie Merlot's Restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights and special

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What skills help Music Instructors find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on music instructor resumes?

Rachel Blackburn Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Columbus State University

Skills that stand out on resumes: Right now, in particular, post-pandemic, skills that are going to stand out for theatres will speak to technological savvy: they will include working with new ways of communicating and disseminating performance, likely tied to online platforms such as Zoom, Slack, Asana Project Management software, etc. People who can take the initiative, innovate, and collaborate will be the most sought-after candidates. The theatre world will be relying on this next generation to rethink our traditional modes of performance, communication, and dissemination, so someone who can demonstrate on their resume that they are reliable, highly communicative (excellent oral and written communication skills), and entrepreneurial will undoubtedly stand out.

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

R. Scott Hengen

Technical Theatre Faculty/Production Coordinator, Montgomery College

Basic skills in more than one department are helpful. The more a technician can understand other areas that may overlap, the better the chance of more opportunities. This does not exclude the importance of focusing on one technical area, but the technician who understands how that one area, or several areas, influences each other, the better the technician will understand the collaborative nature of theatre.

What soft skills should all music instructors possess?

Jeffrey McLaughlin

Associate Professor of Theatre Design and Technology, Arkansas State University

Motivation/Drive: It is essential to be a self-starter if you want to stand out in a crowd.

People skills: Active listening, empathy, keeping cool in stressful situations seem more important than ever.

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

Helen Callus

Professor of Viola, Northwestern University

A gap year is a terrific way to build a resume. By looking at where there might be a lack of experience like competitions, teaching, administration, summer festival interns, assistantships - they can focus their time and build their resumes well. I also think being creative in these current times, showing that you have experience teaching remotely, making a studio, creating a website, writing an article, and doing research that could be helpful later on. You could also spend the time preparing repertoire to teach or take auditions and make your first recording and video YouTube performance.

What type of skills will young music instructors need?

Ye Chen Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia

Graduates with educational technology (Ed Tech) degrees commonly work as instructional designers, technology/media specialists, trainers, e-learning developers in k12 school, university, military, company, or government. The skills employers usually want in Ed Tech graduates include:
- Instructional design skills for analyzing instructional needs and designing & developing effective instructional solutions.
- Technical skills in utilizing technology to develop and implement instruction. At the same time, they are expected to understand how to integrate technology into instructional settings in a pedagogically meaningful way.
- Communication skills are essential as their work roles heavily rely on effective communication with content experts, clients, trainees/students, etc. throughout the instructional design process

What technical skills for a music instructor 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 instructor skills to add to your resume

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

Classroom Management
Adaptive
Fine Arts
Music Program
Instructional Materials
Music Education
Keyboard
Syllabus
Music Appreciation
Brass
Music History
Music Curriculum
K-12
Music Theory

Jazz Ensemble
Group Lessons
EAR Training
Songwriting
Kindergarten
Music Composition
Music Technology
Course Materials
Voice Lessons
Piano Lessons
Music Production
Group Classes
Vocal Music
Pro Tools

Pre-K
Percussion Instruments
Musical Performances
Musical Instruments
K-5
Concert Band
K-8
Elementary Schools
General Music Classes
Band Program
Classical Guitar
Private Music 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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Music Instructor Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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