General Position Description: 

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Classical Pianist and Music Educator with extensive Collaborative Piano experience accompanying classical vocalists. Has experience in teaching piano classes to vocal students, accompanying voice classes, coaching vocalists in classical vocal repertoire. This faculty member serves as an accompanist for recitals, opera scenes, operas, performance classes, choir performances, and masterclasses. Has the ability to partner with students and parents of all social and economic backgrounds to successfully meet or exceed program objectives. Fully supports NOCCA’s vision of prioritizing an emphasis on the arts as well as academics with the intent of placing students in top colleges and conservatory programs within the country with multiple scholarships and grants as much as possible. 

Performance Standards

We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world. 

We expect faculty to:

• Collaborate with your peers/faculty to provide world-class, pre-professional arts education

• Lead by example, acting with decency, honesty, and regard for the NOCCA community

• Help promote a safe and equitable environment for the NOCCA community

• Practice and encourage accountability for students and peers

Faculty at NOCCA are expected to introduce students to a particular discipline with the serious assumption that students will participate in that discipline in the future. NOCCA does not follow a traditional education model as such, but rather an initiation model. An initiation model is a powerful one – it forms the foundation for the seriousness and respect present in faculty/student and peer relationships, which in turn provides a sense of safety for all, extending the degree to which students can be pushed to both understand and produce their best work.

Job Duties:

• Accompanies Vocal Music students in voice classes, supporting students in their learning and providing real-time musical guidance.

• Sets course objectives, plans and organizes lessons, and teaches as scheduled, group piano lessons to vocal students, focusing on development of basic keyboard skills.

• Provides coaching to Vocal Music students to help refine their interpretation and performance skills.

• Accompanies students and faculty in recitals, opera scenes, full operas, rehearsals, choir rehearsals/performances, performance classes, masterclasses, recordings, competitions and auditions on and off-campus, as assigned by the Vocal Music Chair, ensuring high-quality musical support and collaboration. 

• Prepares a diverse repertoire for rehearsals and performances in a timely manner and to high performance standards.

• Teaches additional courses within area(s) of expertise as assigned by the Department Chair to meet program needs.

• Prepares and mentors students who will benefit from entering auditions, competitions, and music festivals. 

• Collaborates with the Department Chair and faculty to create a comprehensive departmental class/work schedule.

• Evaluates student progress regularly, offering constructive feedback and adjusting teaching methods to meet individual needs.

• Works closely with other faculty members to coordinate performances, masterclasses, and other events, contributing to a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

• Creates a learning community using the NOCCA DNA that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, professional commitment, life-long skills, and self-regulation for every student.

• Develops and implements classroom procedures and routines that support high expectations and values for achieving success in the arts.

• Assesses and grades students following the established policies.

• Facilitates the development of positive and respectful student-teacher, teacher- teacher, student-student relationships.

• Ensures students adhere to school protocol - reinforces positive behavior, addresses negative behaviors. 

• Maintains student accountability and facilitates students’ development of a strong work ethic. 

• Mentors students and assists with external field trips, contests, audition preparation, letters of recommendation.

• Attends/Facilitates/Supervises NOCCA events - Orientation, Open Studio, Auditions, Grade Nights, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Senior Saturday, Celebration, Parent Night, Student Shows and Presentations, and Professional Development days.

• Helps foster community relationships - higher education institutions, non-profit, business, industry partners.

• Participates in and contributes to bi-weekly departmental meetings.

• Participates in professional growth opportunities as both an artist and an instructor and incorporates learning as appropriate.

• Uses instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.

• Adheres to board policies, school procedures, and contractual obligations.

• Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by the state law and NOCCA policy.

• Contributes to efforts to achieve school-wide and department-specific goals.

• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and faculty/staff.

• Demonstrates consistent leadership in the classroom and commitment to mentorship of the students in the Vocal Music department.

• Performs other relevant responsibilities as requested

Qualifications:

• Strong background in Piano Performance, with emphasis on collaborative piano skills with classical vocal musicians.

• Demonstrated ability to sight-read classical art songs and operatic vocal scores.

• 3 or more years teaching experience at university or high school music conservatory level, or similar professional experience. (Ability to teach beginner to intermediate music theory is a plus.) 

• A record of sustained success as classical music performer and educator.

• Has excellent classroom management skills in both one-on-one and group instruction.

• A personal and professional commitment to creating an atmosphere of quality instruction.

• A demonstrated history of working effectively with diverse individuals.

• Ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing.

• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to excellence.

Education:

• College Degree(s) in Piano Performance with extensive collaborative piano experience, or equivalency in professional work.

• Ability to read jazz and other non-genre-specific lead sheets is a plus, but not required.

• Ability to teach diction in English, Italian, German, and French is a plus, but not required.

BENEFITS 

In addition to approved Holidays, you will be entitled to all benefits afforded to a State of Louisiana team member, including the following:

• Earning sick leave time at a rate of 10 days per school year 

• A choice of health and life insurance plans for yourself and your family, as selected

• A choice of  supplemental insurance benefits, such as dental, vision, and short-term or long-term disability

• Participation in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) or the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS). 

• K-time may be available with pre-approval for consultancy outside of the normal scope of the position

• Option for participation in voluntary retirement plan vehicles [403(b) or 457 plans]

NOCCA is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.  We especially welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references by using this link to fill out a Google form. 

OR

Mail your submission to:

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

VOCAL MUSIC ACCOMPANIST

ATTN: Human Resources Department

2800 Chartres Street

New Orleans, LA 70117

Applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

The position will remain open until a candidate is selected. 

NOCCA Vision

We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world.

NOCCA Mission

NOCCA’s mission is to provide a world-class, pre-professional arts education for every young person in Louisiana with the curiosity, creativity, talent and motivation to pursue a life in the arts as they realize the best possible versions of themselves and their futures.

NOCCA as a SAME Agency

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is fully committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its Amending Act of 2008 (collectively ADA).  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities, which may include providing reasonable accommodation to the extent it does not cause an undue hardship. NOCCA will not discriminate against nor tolerate discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in any employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.