Job Description
Special Instructions to Applicants: To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Finalists will be asked to complete an audition as part of the interview and hiring process.
About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.
Position Summary:
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University invites applications for an Artist Collaborator – Piano, a dynamic and skilled musician who will serve as a collaborative pianist across multiple voice studios. This position plays an essential role in the artistic and academic life of the school, supporting undergraduate (BM), master's (MM), and, when applicable, artist diploma (AD) and doctoral (DMA) voice students through lessons, rehearsals, and public performances.
Working with our world-renowned faculty and a highly talented student body, the Artist Collaborator will engage in a range of musical settings, including weekly studio lessons, degree recitals (solo and studio), juries, and performance classes. The successful candidate will bring a high level of artistry, professionalism, and flexibility, with a deep knowledge of standard classical vocal repertoire and a passion for collaboration.
This is a 9-month position completing all duties during the academic year (mid-August - mid-May).
About The Shepherd School of Music:
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice was founded in 1975 and is one of the nation’s premier music schools. It currently has approximately 275 exceptionally talented music students from across the U.S. and around the world. The school offers an immersive conservatory-style education within the context of a world-class research university. The school has two buildings that feature four large performance venues, 54 teaching studios, 55 practice rooms, seven classrooms, and premier facilities. The Artist Collaborator will be part of a deeply engaged, collaborative musical community working at the highest artistic levels.
Ideal Candidate Statement:
The ideal candidate is an experienced collaborative pianist with deep knowledge of classical repertoire, particularly vocal repertoire, and a strong background supporting students and faculty in a conservatory or university setting. They bring enthusiasm for working with world-class artist faculty and a highly talented student body. A spirit of professionalism, adaptability, and musical curiosity is essential for thriving in the dynamic environment of the Shepherd School of Music.
Workplace Requirements:
- This is a 9-month position completing all duties during the academic year (mid-August - mid-May)
- This role is an on-campus, in-person position
- Evening and weekend hours may be required for rehearsals, performances, recitals, and auditions, as scheduled
Hiring Range: $52,000 - $55,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in music or a related field
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
- 2+ years of experience accompanying/collaborating with collegiate-level musicians in conservatory or university settings and/or in a professional young artist or festival program
- In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
- Demonstrated excellence in collaborative piano, particularly in vocal repertoire
Skills:
- Ability to read music
- Proficiency in multiple musical genres
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Musical sight-reading and improvisational skills
- Broad knowledge of musical styles and keyboard proficiency
Preferences:
- Advanced degree (MM, DMA, or equivalent) in Collaborative Piano or Piano Performance
- At least 4 years of experience collaborating/accompanying collegiate-level musicians in conservatory or university settings and/or in a professional young artist or festival program
Essential Functions:
- Provides piano accompaniment for voice lessons, rehearsals, studio classes, and degree recitals
- Collaborates with multiple faculty studios, adapting to a variety of teaching needs and pedagogical styles
- Rehearses and performs with students in both individual and group settings
- Prepares and performs repertoire of diverse styles and periods with a high level of musical and technical proficiency
- May participate in special Shepherd School voice events such as master classes
- Coordinates scheduling and preparation of repertoire with faculty and students
- May assist with accompaniment for juries, auditions (including prospective student auditions), and special performances as assigned
- Maintains professionalism and supports a positive, inclusive, and student-centered environment
- Participates in departmental activities and performs other duties as assigned
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
