Musicopia Drumlines Teaching Artists

About Musicopia

Musicopia provides high-quality, culturally responsive music education to children and young people throughout the Philadelphia region. Our programs emphasize creativity, collaboration, discipline, self-expression, and community while creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn from professional Teaching Artists.

Musicopia's Drumlines combine percussion instruction, musicianship, movement, ensemble playing, performances, and youth development. Programs take place during the school day and after school at schools and community sites throughout Philadelphia.

Position Description

Musicopia is seeking dynamic, experienced Drumlines Teaching Artists to lead percussion instruction for students in Philadelphia-area schools and community programs.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished percussionist and engaging educator who can build strong relationships with young people while developing their musicianship, confidence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

Teaching Artists lead rehearsals and instruction in drumline technique, rhythm, musicianship, movement, ensemble performance, and repertoire. They create an environment where students with varying levels of musical experience can participate successfully, take artistic risks, and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Musicopia's Drumlines develop both artistic and youth-development outcomes, emphasizing percussion and performance skills alongside confidence, perseverance, collaboration, communication, leadership, positive peer relationships, and connection to trusted adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging drumline rehearsals and percussion instruction for groups of students.
• Teach percussion technique, rhythm, musicianship, ensemble skills, movement, and performance repertoire.
• Plan organized, purposeful lessons appropriate to students' ages, experience levels, and learning needs.
• Build a positive ensemble culture emphasizing teamwork, accountability, discipline, and mutual respect.
• Establish clear expectations for participation and behavior while maintaining a productive learning environment.
• Adapt instruction so students with different musical abilities and learning needs can participate meaningfully.
• Encourage student voice, leadership, creativity, and ownership of the ensemble.
• Prepare students for school and community performances, showcases, parades, and other performance opportunities.
• Collaborate with Musicopia staff, school personnel, fellow Teaching Artists, and community partners.
• Communicate promptly and professionally regarding scheduling, student concerns, program needs, and performances.
• Complete required attendance, program documentation, and evaluation activities.
• Arrive on time and prepared for all scheduled sessions and performances.
• Represent Musicopia professionally in school and community settings.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong percussion and/or drumline performance skills.
• Experience teaching percussion, drumline, marching percussion, or related ensemble music.
• Experience working with children and/or teenagers in group settings.
• Ability to lead an ensemble while maintaining an energetic, structured, and supportive learning environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Dependability and ability to maintain a consistent teaching schedule.
• Commitment to working with students from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with school staff, Musicopia staff, families, and other Teaching Artists.

Preferred

• Experience with marching percussion, drumline repertoire, arranging, or ensemble direction.
• Experience teaching in Philadelphia schools or community-based youth programs.
• Familiarity with the Greater Philadelphia music and education community.
• Ability to tune drums, replace heads, and perform basic percussion-equipment maintenance.
• Music education or percussion performance degree, professional performance experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Compensation

Teaching Artists are paid hourly based on their level of professional and teaching experience:

• Intern Teaching Artist: $15/hour
• Emerging Teaching Artist: $30/hour
• Established Teaching Artist: $55/hour

Placement within these levels is based on relevant teaching experience, professional music and performance experience, drumline and percussion expertise, and demonstrated ability to lead successful youth music instruction.

The Teaching Artist We're Looking For

We are especially interested in artists who can teach and mentor.

Strong candidates create welcoming and emotionally safe learning environments, build positive relationships with students, use culturally responsive practices, encourage student leadership, and make room for joy and creativity while maintaining high expectations. Musicopia's Drumline model views the Teaching Artist as more than a percussion instructor. Trusted adult mentorship and sustained ensemble participation are intentionally connected to student confidence, teamwork, leadership, belonging, school engagement, and positive decision-making.

Schedule & Locations

Programs operate at schools and community sites throughout Philadelphia and may include:

• In-school residencies
• After-school Drumlines
• Rehearsals
• Performances and showcases
• Parades and community events
• Special workshops and competitions

Assignments vary by site, program needs, and Teaching Artist availability.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Musicopia is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and to equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive arts education for all children. We seek Teaching Artists who value diverse artistic traditions, connect learning to students' lived experiences and communities, and create inclusive learning environments.