Musicopia String Orchestras Coaches (Violin + Cello) 

Reports To:  MSO Artistic Director and Conductor 
FLSA Status: Part-time: 2-3 hours/week, non-exempt, hourly position, 9 months/year 
Salary: Flat fee of $125 per rehearsal, $50 per additional hour 
When:  Tuesdays from 5:15 – 7:45pm, September through the end of May. There are 2-3 concerts per year on Saturdays.    
Where: MSO rehearsals take place at First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. 201 S. 21st Street, Philadelphia, 19103.  
Start Date: September, 2026 (date pending) 

Mission and Background 

Musicopia's mission is to inspire, educate, and connect children, youth, and their extended communities through collaborative music and dance experiences. Musicopia envisions shaping and empowering the next generation through equitable access to the arts: cultivating lifelong creative expression, confidence, collaboration, multicultural understanding, and joy. 

This is guided and informed by our belief in and commitment to our values, which are to:  

• Provide pathways to the arts 
• Inspire learning through the arts 
• Champion cultural and human diversity 
• Promote the development of self-efficacy 
• Create environments of mutual respect, well-being, and belonging 
• Support participants in finding safe spaces for self-expression 
• Enrich the communities in which our participants live and thrive 

The Musicopia String Orchestras (MSO) program is an out-of-school orchestra program for Philadelphia students ages 7-18. Supplemental activities include intensive chamber coaching for advanced students, group lessons, performance opportunities, and collaborations with guest composers and performers. MSO rehearses weekly during the academic year after school, with performances and concerts scheduled throughout the year. Learn more about Musicopia’s work and impact at www.musicopia.org. 

Position Description 

The MSO Violin and Cello Coaches leads weekly sectionals at every rehearsal with both ensembles: MSO, Musicopia String Orchestra (7th – 12th grade students) and MYSP, Musicopia Young String Players (3rd – 8th grade students). Each sectional is typically 1 hour, totaling about 2 hours of teaching time for each rehearsal. Coaches may also play along with students during the full ensemble rehearsals and in performances.  
This role is pivotal in shaping the musical journey of young students and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the community through dynamic orchestral performances. 

Qualifications 

• Degree in Violin or Cello Performance and/or Music Education or Equivalent Experience
• Strong music pedagogy skills with students ages 7-18.  
• Teaching experience, either as a public-school teacher or as a private teacher.  
• Comfort working with multiple students in a group setting.  
• Experience playing in orchestral ensembles.  
• Strong leadership, written, verbal, and public speaking abilities. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with both adults and children. 

Ideal Personal/Professional Experience 

• Passion for working with students of diverse backgrounds, using a culturally responsive teaching approach. 
• Strong relationships within the musical community, with a track record of collaborative success. Familiarity with the Greater Philadelphia music and education community is a plus. 
• Commitment to empowering students through the arts. 
• Commitment to the values inherent in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.