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Job outlook for private music instructors in the United States
Private music instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected private music instructor job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for private music instructors are projected over the next decade.
Private music instructor salaries have increased 7% for private music instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 21,459 private music instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 29,072 active private music instructor job openings in the US.
The average private music instructor salary is $55,947.
Are private music instructor jobs in demand?
Private music instructor job and salary trends over time
Private music instructor jobs over time
Private music instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,459 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 21,688 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 24,085 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 23,379 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 23,100 | 0.01% |
Average private music instructor salary over time
Private music instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,947 | $26.90 | +2.0% |
| 2025 | $54,869 | $26.38 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $54,211 | $26.06 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $53,819 | $25.87 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $52,265 | $25.13 | +1.8% |
Private music instructor jobs by state
Most common states for private music instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 506 | 9% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 95 | 9% |
| 3 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 382 | 8% |
| 4 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 688 | 7% |
| 5 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 684 | 7% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 593 | 7% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 285 | 7% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 66 | 7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 51 | 7% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 43 | 7% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 485 | 5% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 329 | 5% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 297 | 5% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 251 | 5% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 168 | 5% |
| 16 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 150 | 5% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 62 | 5% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 37 | 5% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 33 | 5% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 32 | 5% |
Most common cities for private music instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $48,354 |
Private Music Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of private music instructor experts
Hope College
Idaho State University
Webster University
La Sierra University
Bates College
Augsburg University
Azusa Pacific University
Moravian College
University of Memphis
Bluefield College
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Coastal Carolina University
Lehman College, City University of New York
Albright College
Middle Tennessee State University
Frostburg State University
Indiana University Southeast
Loyola University Chicago
Western Oregon University
What general advice would you give to a Private Music Instructor?
Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D.: The arts are a basic human need. Especially during this time of turmoil in our world, we need musicians and other artists to help us create and share beauty. Also, many jobs in the music industry are entrepreneurial; musicians with initiative can create their own paths.
What Private Music Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D.: LIKE As musicians, we have the privilege of creating and sharing beauty every day! We love to share music with the general public in the many ways I described in question #1. DISLIKE Some people don't understand the value of music and the other arts. If that happens, musicians can be overlooked and underpaid.
What will help Private Music Instructors increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D.: The music field is much more broad than many people realize. Music graduates of Valparaiso University are doing these things... a. music teacher in K-12 school (band, orchestra, choir, general music, handbell choir) b. music therapist c. church musician (organ, choir, soloist, chamber musician) d. university professor (music education, music theory, music performance, music history, administration) e. private lessons teacher f. professional performer (military band, symphony orchestra, professional chorus, soloist, chamber musician, jazz). g. music industry (retail, sales, repairs) h. music industry (concert management, concert hall management, performance planning, music travel planning) i. law (copyright and more) j. community volunteer musician k. recording engineer l. composer (schools, churches, professional organizations, movies, television, video games)
Dr. Christopher Fashun
Assistant Professor of MusicHope College
Music Department
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Dr. Christopher Fashun: 1. Must have completed a doctorate in the specific field of the job they are applying for (e.g., Music Performance (a specific instrument), Conducting (Choral, Orchestral, Band), Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Recording Arts, Music Theory, Music Composition, Music Therapy)
2. Must have teaching experience at the college/university level and preferably at the secondary level. For graduate students, having a teaching or research assistantship would be ideal for gaining college/university teaching experience.
3. Need good communication skills and know-how to work and collaborate with others.
4. Need to have an area of scholarship and creativity (e.g., writing a book, recording an album, guest conducting a professional orchestra or another musical group)
5. Need to understand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, why it's important, and how to incorporate it into one's teaching.
6. Salaries vary from college/university and are set by years of experience and accomplishments. Salaries are negotiated upon receiving an offer and cannot be renegotiated after signing a contract.
7. Other skills include being innovative, having at least one other skill set in the broader field of music. Using myself as an example, my doctorate is in Orchestral Conducting, but I also am a nationally recognized Music Educator and Percussionist who has earned a Fulbright Award in the U.S. Scholar Program (a very prestigious award), where my other area of scholarship is Afro-Brazilian Music and Culture. In addition to conducting the orchestra at Hope College, I teach a World Music class for the general education program, music education methods courses, direct the Brazilian Drumming Ensemble, and teach applied percussion.
Dr. Thomas Kloss
Associate Professor & Associate Chair of the Department of Music, nterim Director of Bands, Coordinator for Music Education, President of the Idaho Music Educators AssociationIdaho State University
Department of Music
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Dr. Thomas Kloss: One of the strongest skills is showing a future principal that you've been a good student. They will look at your transcripts and see how you've done in the areas in which you are applying. A band director, for example, that scores low on an "Instrumental Music Pedagogy" course (the course that primarily teaches you how to be a band director) would not stand out as a strong instrumental music teacher. Showing a future principal that you've been involved in many aspects of your musical ensembles in college, working with a local music program, or have done some private music teaching are also good indicators of someone who will be successful in that position.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Dr. Thomas Kloss: Teaching music is all about working with people. You have your educational community (principal, counselors, colleagues) that you need to work with to arrange students' incorrect classes and schedule events. You should feel like you are a part of that team. You then have your students, whom you need to work with to provide an excellent musical education. Finally, you have the community and parents that you will communicate with. If all of that is done successfully, your program will thrive and be supported by many different groups.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
Dr. Thomas Kloss: Music teachers need to be extremely organized and knowledgeable in musical concepts to write quality lesson plans. They need to be able to see the whole picture (i.e., the concert) and know the steps of how to get their students ready. They need to be able to communicate rehearsal dates, events, and concerts with their community. They need to work with inventory lists, music in their library and know what their next equipment needs are. They need to budget their funds for new music, instruments, uniforms, or just repairs. It tends to be a lot of work before you even get in front of a musical ensemble.
What skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Thomas Kloss: Being patient when looking for a position may help someone earn more over the length of their career. The way it works here is that small rural districts end up paying more after about 10 years over the districts in populated areas. It's a supply and demand situation. If a music teacher is interested in making more money over their teaching career, they should compare the posted salary schedules and consider the long-term benefits. Obtaining a Master's Degree is also a way to move up on the traditional pay scale in education. Finally, staying in one district for a longer period is more financially beneficial than moving districts every few years. Teachers are given some years of experience, but a district does not have to give all of their years on their pay scale.
Matt Pickart
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Chamber MusicWebster University
Department of Music
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Matt Pickart: In today's market, it is important to be multifaceted. I've increasingly seen job postings at all levels of academia asking musicians to cover more than one area. That is not to say that we shouldn't continue to specialize in our specific instruments or fields of music study at the highest level. However, the more secondary proficiencies you can develop well, the greater your musicianship and your marketability become. Think about what secondary skill-sets will compliment your primary focus and help you grow as a musician.
Pedagogical experience and proven success is arguably the most important skill on your resume for teaching positions. Not all great musicians are great teachers. It takes time and patience, lots of trial and error, building your own unique methodologies and pedagogical insights, learning your strengths and weaknesses, etc. If you can show student achievements and growth in previous positions, that speaks volumes!
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Matt Pickart: Leadership, patience, collaboration, communication, organization, time management, networking, critical problem-solving, persistence, discipline, flexibility, opportunity recognition, planning and goal setting, punctuality, learning from failure, uniqueness, being a team player, empathy, openness, etc.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
Matt Pickart: Excellent musicianship, effective and high-quality practicing, music entrepreneurship, clear pedagogical knowledge and insights, owning the stage, effective programming, historical context and cultural awareness in music, physical awareness and efficiency in music-making, music technology, knowing your audience, etc.
What skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
Matt Pickart: Any of the hard and soft skills I've listed are very helpful, but I believe that being an entrepreneurial musician will help you earn the most income. As an entrepreneurial musician, you are focused on learning how to unlock value for what you are doing and create your own new opportunities. You learn to lean into the projects that you love, that speak to your artistic integrity. You flex your right brain muscles by playing in your own creative sandbox, investing time and passion into the projects that you care about most, ultimately leading to success. Musical success with clear planning and hard work at the highest level will ultimately translate into financial success.
Being an entrepreneurial musician is all about mindset. Here are a few questions to get you started: How do you describe yourself as a musician? Who is your audience? How do you deal with failure? What are your goals and dreams as a musician? What actionable steps and smaller goals do you have to get there? What makes you special as a musician?
David Kendall Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Music, Associate Chair, Director of Music History and ResearchLa Sierra University
Department of Music
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
David Kendall Ph.D.: Much of this depends on the kind of instructor position one is seeking, as there are many sub-fields and concentrations in the world of music education. For those looking to teach individual lessons in voice or on specific instruments, a resume with lots of experience is always helpful. Whether you have taught as instructional faculty at an educational institution, at a community or commercial music school, or maintained your own in-person and/or online private studio, the more experience you have--and the breadth of things you have done and have the ability to do--give you the best chance at being noticed favorably by potential employers. Sometimes potential teachers will want to focus on only a single skill, such as teaching piano, while leaving out many other musical skills that an employer may desire, such as the ability to teach violin or flute or direct a children's choir. Applicants sometimes leave these skills off their resumes because they feel that they are not as proficient in them as in their core specialties, but this can cause a potential employer to overlook them because their skill set may appear too narrow.
Having a wide range of skills and experiences is also beneficial if one is applying for a classroom position, such as teaching music appreciation or conducting an elementary school band. Having a wider range of abilities shows the employer that you are flexible and adaptable--strongly desired traits in the music field. While most positions are part-time or contingent, having a range of skills can sometimes result in a position being expanded or upgraded. Again, experience is key. For those looking for a career as a music instructor, almost nothing is more important than the experience, and one should do anything they can to get it, even if it means doing volunteer teaching in a community, school, or church setting. This should be seen as an investment in your future.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
David Kendall Ph.D.: If almost nothing is more important than the experience, as I noted above, then nothing is more important than people skills and maintaining positive relationships with peers, mentors, students, and employers. All of these groups may be in a position to employ you at some time in the future, and their opinion of you will largely be framed by the experiences they have had with you. I will give a personal example from my own life. After graduating with a degree in performance and spending a year teaching overseas, I found myself back in the United States without many prospects. However, over the next couple of years, I was able to put together a living because of positive past relationships with colleagues and mentors. I received music lecturing positions at the two universities I attended during my undergraduate and graduate programs, being hired by former faculty mentors who knew me and felt I could make a positive contribution. I was able to secure two more positions, one teaching lessons at a private school and the other as a music minister and choir director at a local church. Both of these came through being hired by former--and younger--classmates from university. Now that I am a full-time professor, I am constantly telling my students to maintain good relationships with all of these people and to never burn any bridges. Even now, I have run into opportunities presented to me by former students, and the cycle continues.
These soft skills are not, however, limited only to being nice and well-liked by your peers and employers. The ability to network is very important, as are the essential practices of being organized, accurate, well-prepared, and punctual. Because employers often have many applicants and choices in hiring, being well-networked and known for reliability is a distinct advantage. Being generally helpful and easy to work with makes it likely that you will be remembered by potential employers when a future position or opportunity opens up. Having a number of people who are eager to recommend you, whether by letter or word-of-mouth, is the best possible advertising.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
David Kendall Ph.D.: In all of the music fields, particularly in performance, the ability to self-promote is important. One should be familiar with and skilled in using the standard social and traditional media platforms. Some proficiency in web and graphic design is very helpful, as well as recording and mixing, if applicable to the sub-field. As nearly all of us have experienced some remote learning and/or teaching over the past couple of years, this has opened up new possibilities. Potential students that would never have considered taking music lessons online are now often open to it, which provides more potential opportunities for teaching remotely. Having the ability to effectively teach a class or a lesson on a platform like Zoom or Google Meet can expand your reach far beyond your geographical area. Such a remote experience should be a pleasant one for students and employers and having a clean, professional background, and at least a ring light and a decent microphone will add a touch of professionalism and added value.
What skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
David Kendall Ph.D.: Being very good at what you do is the first step in being successful in the music field, but it is not a guarantee of earning potential. The soft and hard skills noted above are at least as important, if not more so. Only a handful of the very best musicians in the world can get away with being disorganized, hard to work with, or unreliable. For the rest of us, financial success will largely depend on a combination of performing and/or teaching ability, the ability to use technology and media to our advantage, and a talent for working well with a wide range of people.
Frederick Burrack
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Frederick Burrack: -Theory skills (score analysis)
-Oral communication (clarity and focus of verbal response)
-Written communication (clarity at various levels such as administration, educated parents, uneducated parents, young kids)
-Curriculum development (determination of learning outcomes, lesson planning
-Organizational skills (curricular organization, sequencing instruction, time management)
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Frederick Burrack: Personal musical performance quality.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
Frederick Burrack: -Conducting skills (expressive communication)
-Aural skills (error identification)
-Piano skills (accompanying, harmonization)
What skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
Frederick Burrack: Organizational skills by far.
Joelle Morris
Visiting Lecturer, Director of Bates College Choir, Associate in VoiceBates College
Music Department
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Joelle Morris: I'm usually looking for someone who's had experience teaching beginners as well as advanced.
Number two is the diversity of genres of music that person is familiar with. More than ever, students are interested in a wide range of music from classical to world to pop, jazz, and so forth. It is important to be familiar and open to various styles to educate a well-rounded musician.
Number three is performance experience. How much collaborative experience do they have? Are they doing any interesting performances in the area that may inspire their students? - this requirement would be more at the collegiate level, though.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Joelle Morris: 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 hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
Joelle Morris: As an educator? Gosh, that's a hard one. I suppose it goes back to the soft skills question. Personally, I find that the more organized I am, the better I can communicate and motivate my students.
As a performer? It never ends. I'm always learning, growing. I like to challenge myself with new compositions and new collaborations. The ability to collaborate is so incredibly important to a performer.
What skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
Joelle Morris: As a working musician, you need to be flexible, able to play multiple musical genres in various ensemble sizes. The ability to network and collaborate with others both musically and on the business side of the gig. The ability to promote yourself and/or become an entrepreneur selling your concerts and your music.
Honestly, it's very challenging to make a living doing solely one thing in this day and age. Most of my colleagues, myself included, do several different musical activities to pay the bills: Although I'm a professional singer, I am also a voice teacher with a full studio, and a choral conductor, and a church musician, and a music educator. With lecture courses. Additionally, as a singer, I'm hired to sing in professional chamber ensembles, as a classical soloist with orchestra and choir, as a jazz singer in bands, as a recitalist, I've co-created a classical ensemble that features 21st cent music and living composers, I regularly organize concerts for that ensemble and my own recitals. You hustle and develop new skills each step of the way.
J. Anthony Allen
Assistant Professor - Music, Media and ManagementAugsburg University
Music, Media and Management Department
What skills stand out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
J. Anthony Allen: 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 soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
J. Anthony Allen: My gut reaction to that is that it depends on the age of the student. You need to have a lot of energy for younger students and keep them interested while also communicating with their parents. For college-age students (the world I am mostly in), you need a direct language with the student that tells them if they are on track, how they are doing, and ways they can improve that are not condescending.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Private Music Instructors?
J. Anthony Allen: 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 skills will help Private Music Instructors earn the most?
J. Anthony Allen: Diversity is what you can do. If you can teach guitar, that's great. But if you can teach guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele, you will get more students. An instructor should also consider the non-instrument skills they could add to their list of abilities: music theory, songwriting, composition, beginner piano, etc.
Dr. Claire Fedoruk
Professor of MusicologyAzusa Pacific University
College of Music and Arts
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Private Music Instructors?
Dr. Claire Fedoruk: Regarding the arts, I believe there already is. Music is a true communal art, which requires the physical presence of others to truly create a legitimate sonic experience. Due to the COVID and response to COVID, this was forbidden for 18 months in California. I lost at least 20K of income from performing last year, and many of my colleagues in the performing world had no employment at all during this period. Several left or seriously considered leaving Los Angeles, which is a cultural metropolis of opportunity for artists.
In response to the lockdowns, many colleagues of mine recorded solo albums and worked collaboratively on Zoom and other recording mediums to record themselves singing. This was then mastered into a final online product. I took part in several recordings released by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. This has challenges as well. The expectations for recorded quality in online projects are very high and stressful, especially if one does not have a home studio with soundproofing and very high-quality recording equipment. While the results are often impressive online, it is not the same experience of actually making music together. One cannot hear the other performers breathe, feel the energy of the group consciousness, or decide to take risks together in an online setting. I would say it's the difference between actually playing golf and playing it in a digital game.
One last word on this. Mask mandates have made everything incredibly difficult for wind players and singers, as we cannot sing effectively in a mask. Breathing is compromised, vowel formation cannot be seen, and lightheadedness is common. As long as these exist, the vocal art is termed a super-spreader and is muffled at best, silenced at worst. I can see it declining over the long term if these conditions continue.
What type of skills will young Private Music Instructors need?
Dr. Claire Fedoruk: In the new environment, recording and mastering skills may be the new requirement for any performer. I'm sure that sound engineers will experience a Renaissance of employment in this post-pandemic world! Young musicians are already much more tech-savvy than those in middle age, so this may not be an issue, and at APU, our music technology courses are first-rate and teach all of these skills through Logic, Pro Tools, etc. Additionally, I believe that writing is a skill that can never harm a musician, especially as they may need extra funding from grants to complete projects or hire additional personnel to handle online recording and performances, COVID compliant initiatives, etc. Flexibility, patience, and perseverance are highly sought-after traits and playing well with others, both literally and figuratively.
What experience really stands out on Private Music Instructor resumes?
Dr. Claire Fedoruk: For a performer, composer, or conductor, it is the quantity and quality of the number of performances and recordings you have under your belt. We must be seen and heard to continue working, which is why our current world is a challenge. For an educator or a musicologist, it is the record of publications that shows your level of scholarship and should be reflected. I am a hybrid of performer and scholar, so I work in both realms but am focusing on my writing and research right now, as this is work that can still continue in the current environment. I sang in five concerts over the summer when things were open for a while and even formed an ensemble. For young performers, I recommend that you have as many and varied skills sets as possible: conducting, performing, sound engineering, writing, contracting, consulting, etc. The more you are willing to do, the more longevity you will have in a notoriously challenging profession. To quote George VI's historic WW2 speech: "If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail."
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Neil Wetzel: There are so many DIFFERENT types of jobs for music majors, so I will try to address a few types. For jobs in music education, I believe that most schools and districts will try to maintain and return to the status quo. Once they can meet face-to-face again, students will flock back to playing real instruments and sing in large groups.
For performers, the pandemic has profoundly curtailed opportunities and performing musicians everywhere are hurting. While some have moved to totally virtual performances, this cannot fully replace the feel, sound or excitement of being in the same space as live performers. Once the pandemic is over, I think that clubs, music rooms, concert halls, etc. will fill up with people wanting to get out of their homes and go back to entertainment venues that feature live music.
The music technology field and the programs that prepare students for careers in audio production and recording have grown over the past ten years. I believe that this will continue on the same growth trajectory. Many venues such as churches, schools, businesses, need equipment, installation and maintenance of equipment related to audio and broadcast capabilities. Some of these users of sound (and video) technology will continue some of their online presence even after the pandemic ends. The pandemic will have changed the way many entities conduct their business and it will never go back to fully face-to-face, especially in this field.
How have salaries changed over time for Private Music Instructors?
Dr. Neil Wetzel: Very few people go into music to make a lot of money. That said, salaries for music educators have kept up with inflation, and a job in a public school comes with benefits (health insurance and some kind of retirement plan). Performers at the very top of the field have done fairly well. While the top jobs in symphony orchestras and in the pop music field pay very well, those jobs are the equivalent of playing major league baseball. Only the very best make it to that level, and there are a finite number (and not very many) of these types of jobs.
For the gigging, weekend musician that plays weddings, parties, and other events, salaries have gone up but many have not kept pace with inflation. Many of my jazz musician friends are still working for $100 for a three-hour jazz gig. This pay scale has not gone up much over the past 15-20 years. Please note that musicians playing in party/cover bands generally get paid better if they live/work in large metropolitan areas like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, etc.
For those working in audio/music technology fields, salaries are better if you can own/administer your own business. This field often employs young, eager persons that have a passion for the craft. The pay may not be great and work not always steady, but it can be a stepping stone to gain experience and help one to start their own company/business.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Robyn Jones: Adaptability-this was proven to be necessary across many different careers, with the need to switch to a virtual format. Diversity of skills-it's not enough anymore to just play a great audition and get a job in an orchestra. Musicians need to be great players, great teachers, self-promoters, entrepreneurs, possess marketing/advertising skills. They need to be self-motivated and creative thinkers as they find their career path.
Vince Lewis
Assistant Professor of Music and GuitarBluefield College
Music Department
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
Vince Lewis: The most solid jobs after undergraduate college are in the school systems both public and private. My recommendation is to continue on to graduate school either directly or while working as a music teacher either in a system or teaching privately. Most music graduates must assume multiple roles in the beginning being a part-time performer and adding private music students in addition to their full time jobs in the field. Also music retailing is a viable option.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
Timothy Fischer: Effective communication, willingness to stay up to date with the latest technology--both related directly to music recording and production as well as sharing files and using computers effectively, strong organization processes, and self-accountability, especially in an era where we are spending so much time in isolation.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Timothy Fischer: The ability to record, mix, and transfer audio at a professional level from the home recording studio. Performance opportunities during the COVID-era have temporarily diminished; utilizing this time to develop familiarity with recording technology and music production is so important. Professional musicians have had to develop familiarity in this area "overnight" to continue to have opportunities to perform. Students who can attend music programs that help them develop in these areas will be ready for the current as well as future music industry.
What's a day at work look like for a Private Music Instructor?
Timothy Fischer: Continuing to practice and gain excellence on their instruments is still a large part of the musicians work day. Added to this is spending time to connect with other artists, promoting their work to generate commercial opportunities, and studying the music of others to both learn and stay culturally relevant.
Dr. Penny Prince Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLehman College, City University of New York
Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre and Dance at Lehman College
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
Dr. Penny Prince Ph.D.: We prepare our students to work as music educators in K-12 schools. They study methodologies applicable to each age group, employing the Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory, Kodaly, Orff and other philosophies. They consider and create differentiated strategies and assessments for their future pupils. Most of our students find positions within a year of graduation, in public or private schools in the New York City metropolitan area.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Private Music Instructors?
A.J. Merlino: I believe courses that cover leadership and project management topics will give job seekers a competitive edge. These courses typically deal with complex situations where an individual has to make strategic decisions that will determine workflow and outcomes for a team that will directly impact a project. In a remote or partial remote work environment, the difficulties of cultivating and motivating a team are exacerbated by external factors that a leader will have to manage. With knowledge of the theory and practice of strategic decision making, a candidate will stand out amongst their peers.
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
A.J. Merlino: Any job that a recent graduate feels respected and is allowed to grow personally and professionally is an excellent job out of college. College courses and degree curricula provide knowledge and experiential learning opportunities that connect theory with practice. A job that helps a recent graduate evaluate these curricular experiences with real-world situations will solidify the knowledge obtained during their studies, and allow them to create new points of view.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
A.J. Merlino: As employers adapt to and recover from the pandemic, I believe they will retool their operations to focus on remote work when possible. This repositioning will allow employers to create flexible schedules for employees and expand their hiring pools for previously geographically restricted positions. There are many advantages and disadvantages related to the remote work environment for both employers and employees, and the long-term economic implications of a change such as this are impossible to predict. For jobseekers to stay competitive in this environment, workplace digital literacy will need to be conveyed through their application materials and interviews.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
John Merchant: That's an excellent question, and the truth is that I don't know for certain. Jobs that can be completed remotely are more robust and thus more likely to be available for graduates. In contrast, any positions that require interactions, especially those in live production and performance, are going to be hard to find for a while. For the last 5+ years, live concerts and events have been one of the best professional options for our students; today, companies associated with live productions are dark and no one is certain when or if those jobs will return.
What soft skills should all Private Music Instructors possess?
John Merchant: Every graduate needs to be comfortable with these skills, none of which cost anything to achieve. Listed in no particular order:
Networking: actively seek out those people who can help you and whom you can help. Many students are uncomfortable with this process, but they can improve with practice and perseverance. Learning to read social cues, either in person or over a screen, is a valuable skill to develop.
Listening: endeavor to listen actively to what the other person is saying. Good listening is not passive. The number one thing people want to talk about is themselves, so let them. When you listen carefully and ask good follow-ups, your audience will think you're a genius (and they'll be right.)
Work ethic: I can take a hard worker and teach them anything. I can't teach someone to work hard. Ideally your motivation for this is intrinsic and unconditional.
Attitude: say "thank you" (to show appreciation) and "I'm sorry" (humility and contrition) when appropriate.
Show up early and stay late.
Be relentlessly curious. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but she had a far more interesting journey than the incurious dog.
Your desire to succeed must be greater than your fear of failure.
What will help Private Music Instructors increase their earning potential?
John Merchant: The question should really be, "How do I get better at something that I enjoy that's commercially viable?" The answer is to read Geoff Colvin's Talent Is Overrated and the notion of Deliberate Practice. No one is born to their profession: those who get better through intentional practice and guidance from mentors become skilled enough to demand a higher salary.
Jacob Dalager
LecturerFrostburg State University
Department of Music
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Private Music Instructors?
Jacob Dalager: Yes, there will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus on the music industry and graduates entering the music field. It has basically accelerated a trend that was already happening -- music is moving more and more online, and less and less about the live experience. Countless venues have closed and music organizations have had to fold or reduce their size or season lengths. It will take years to rebuild, and many will never fully recover. But it's not all doom and gloom. The music industry is resilient and similar dire warnings were issued after the Great Depression, the invention of the cassette tape (which could be recorded over), and Napster, to name a few. While there is going to be less live music after all of this, humans will always want to hear live performance. And coronavirus is just making us be more creative about how to go about doing that.
What technical skills for a Private Music Instructor stand out to employers?
Jacob Dalager: Coronavirus has definitely increased the technical and entrepreneurial requirements to be a musician. Musicians must now know how to livestream, record professional video and audio, manage social media feeds, and build effective websites. Those are all things you need to get your name out there and build your reputation. Employers are still lagging in those trends, however, and most are still looking for the same things they have always wanted: organizational skills, effective communication, affability, and musicianship.
Joanna Goldstein Ph.D.
Professor of Music, Music Department Coordinator, Advisor for Instrumental/Vocal Performance and Pre-Music TherapyIndiana University Southeast
Music Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Joanna Goldstein Ph.D.: There were several trends in music prior to the pandemic which have proven to be especially adaptive to the kind of social distancing currently required. Obviously, the performing arts have been almost entirely shut down during the current situation. I do believe that the public will be excited to experience live concerts and theatre productions again once we can start to return to normal. The performing arts are communal in nature and no recorded or digital delivery method is going to substitute for that live experience. However, live streaming, which currently is the only option and which was beginning to be popular before the pandemic, will continue for music groups. The ability to live stream music simultaneous to a live concert greatly expands the potential audience both in size and region and is an asset for arts groups needing to build audiences.
In the area of music teaching, numbers of instrumental and voice teachers were already offering lessons on line through apps such as Skype and Zoom. Again, this technology allowed for teachers to reach students from greater distances and at more convenient times. Because of the pandemic on line music lessons became commonplace. In my own experience this past year I have found the technology to be somewhat wanting; however, the audio needs improvement and there is a rather annoying lack of synchronicity between video and audio that can make teaching difficult. However, while many teachers will go back to teaching in person, the trend to teach via these apps will continue. My hope is that the technology will improve. I would not be surprised if such on-line teaching was incorporated into the schools so that more young people can have access to music education.
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
Joanna Goldstein Ph.D.: Performing as soloist or with others - Musicians have multiple options depending on the skills they acquired in school. It typically takes performers some time and multiple auditions to develop a performing career or land a job playing in an orchestra and this field of music is the most difficult to attain...which is not to say that young musicians shouldn't try. However, one should be prepared to work at other music related jobs while developing a performing career - which may or may not "take off."
Working in the administrative side of an arts organization such as an orchestra, Broadway series, opera company, theatre or arts center is valuable both for the security of the job and opportunity it provides to learn needed business skills in music and network with other musicians. One can work in personnel, marketing, programming, education outreach or many other areas.. Working with arts talent agencies can provide similar skills.
Working at a music store - a steady job, develops connections with instrument retailers, develops business skills that are applicable to any area of music.
Working at a radio station - an opportunity to develop skills in music business, as well as develop familiarity with programming. This is an opportunity for both music business students and, in the more technology areas of the business, audio production and sound engineering students.
Working in "live sound" for theatre, opera or other music performances. One would likely be required to join an appropriate union. This job would be appropriate for audio production or sound engineering students.
Teaching in public or private schools. A licensed music education degree is required to teach in public schools but generally not required for teaching in private or parochial schools.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Private Music Instructors?
Joanna Goldstein Ph.D.: In music generally, having a college degree is necessary whether one is interested in classical music, jazz or popular genres. Most musicians need to multitask and combine performing with teaching or music business or audio production for financial reasons. Higher education and the skills learned in that environment are needed for these various fields. College is also a good place to make connections for the kind of networking intrinsic to success in music. To teach music in public schools, a music education degree with state licensing to teach is necessary.
Michael Scott McBride
Instructor of VoiceLoyola University Chicago
Department of Fine and performing arts
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Private Music Instructors?
Michael Scott McBride: The coronavirus pandemic hit the performing arts early and is expected to create lingering effects. As a thermometer, we know that Broadway shut its doors on Thursday, March 12, 2021. Many other performing venues and unions took their cue. Even now almost a year later, as we are having conversations of opening schools, restaurants, athletics, and other businesses, the lowest priority in the national conversation seems to be the performing arts. This impacts not only those visible on a stage, who represent the tip of the iceberg, but even more consequentially those in supportive fields like various trades, marketing, hospitality, and creators.
However, this time is not all doom and gloom. Many in the arts and specifically music, have taken this 'intermission' to create progress in other ways. The conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion has had a chance to breath now that the juggernaut of producing the next show has slowed down. This will be an inflection point to determine whose voices get to be heard and which stories get to be told. This has also been a time of technological innovation as virtual collaboration has opened opportunities of create new work (ie. the independent TikTok musical "Ratatouille") and chances for seasoned artists to connect from anywhere in the world with young artists.
The final item I'll mention of the impact is music education. The herculean lift that music educators performed to maintain continuity for their students should be one of the great marvels of 2020. This labor of love was often executed by the individual or by communities of teachers banding together to create solutions. Ironically, even though arts funding has historically tended to be challenged, the field of music education seems to be one of the lesser-impacted areas in relationship to the arts at large. Many people are viewing this time of repose as an opportunity to develop themselves musically.
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
Michael Scott McBride: Post-graduate employment looks vastly different depending on the field of music one is pursuing. For those in music education, they should inquire if their institution already has relationships with local primary and secondary schools. A good music education program will imbed student teaching requirements which should create a pipeline toward employment. For those in other music fields, such as performance, composition, administration, and studio production, finding employment in their field is often a product of personal relationships formed during study and dedication to high standards of job-related skills. Many opt to continue to graduate school or certification programs to allow time for skill development and networking. At its heart, a musician is an entrepreneur. Musicians who seek to enter the workforce should have a mindset that they are blazing their own path and that path may only partially resemble what is expected.
What technical skills for a Private Music Instructor stand out to employers?
Michael Scott McBride: There's a phrase often used in music, "happy to be here, ready to work." This shows that one of the most important skills is really a disposition that shows enthusiasm and preparedness. So many of the particular activities of a working musician are accomplished through an application of tools gained in traditional music programs rather than simply mirroring the identical circumstances. For example, a nurse might practice running an IV and then be required to do just that. A musician might practice playing a major scale at a certain tempo and then be required to perform an acoustic version of a Rihanna song at a corporate event. As a person who hires musicians myself, I look for those who have been insatiably curious of their craft to have achieved high skill levels as well as those who understand the importance of creating a positive communal work environment. Finally, that phrase also communicates the values of punctuality, dependability, and being solution-centric.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Private Music Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Ethan Wilson: If there's one thing this pandemic has proven without a doubt, it's that it is possible to work remotely. No more long grueling commutes, stuck in traffic everyday, or large sterile office spaces with cubicles and horrible lighting. So don't limit your search for jobs to just your surrounding area.
Also focus on broadening your skill set to enable yourself to fill more potential roles in your field. Be ready to adapt to the unexpected.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Private Music Instructors?
Ethan Wilson: The music teaching landscape is changing very quickly. It's becoming more important to have an understanding of how recording works and having the ability to record yourself.
Also being able to write code in something like JavaScript can provide some new and interesting avenues to help teach someone an instrument.
What's a good job out of college for Private Music Instructors?
Ethan Wilson: Right now, graduating with a music degree to a world with basically no real performances is kind of daunting. On the bright side, lots of people are looking to start learning how to play an instrument or produce music now that they have more time. So teaching is still, and always will be, a good option for new music graduates.