Assistant or Associate Professor of Music- Viola

Position Summary

The University of New Mexico is seeking an outstanding artist-teacher for a full-time appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Viola. The successful candidate will maintain an active and visible national and or international profile as a performing artist, appropriate to rank, and demonstrate excellence as a viola teacher and mentor. Teaching responsibilities include applied viola instruction for undergraduate and graduate students, chamber music coaching, and possible courses in string repertoire, technique, pedagogy, or related areas, as appropriate to departmental needs.

The successful candidate will actively recruit, mentor, and retain undergraduate and graduate viola students and help build and sustain a thriving viola studio; collaborate with the UNM orchestral program; support the String Pedagogy and Music Education programs; and contribute collaboratively to String Area program development, including organizing and implementing outreach, events, guest residencies, and artistic partnerships that engage music students and teachers in New Mexico and beyond. Additional responsibilities include strengthening UNM's national and international visibility as a destination for high-level string performance training; expanding regional, national, and international recruitment, partnerships, and student opportunities; and contributing to Department, College, and University service.

RANK & SALARY: Assistant or Associate Professor, $70 000.00 USD annually. This is a full time, tenure track position with benefits

APPOINTMENT BEGINS: August 9, 2027

DEADLINE: For best consideration, submit application materials by December 7, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

CONTACT:

For further inquiries, please contact Ramona Garcia (raymona@unm.edu), (505)277-8923

UNM:

Located in Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, the University of New Mexico is a Carnegie Level 1 Research University and a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. UNM is the largest and most comprehensive of the state’s institutions of higher education. Founded in 1889, UNM serves a diverse student population of more than 29, 000 across 5 campuses, with approximately 25,000 at its main campus in Albuquerque. UNM’s campus is located along the foothills of the beautiful Sandia Mountains- one hour from Santa Fe, two hours from Taos, and within 10 minutes of the Albuquerque International Sunport.

Albuquerque is an ethnically diverse metropolitan area with a population of close to 1 million residents, offering a variety of cultural experiences as well as numerous outdoor and recreational opportunities. Learn more about our city here: https://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/

The UNM Department of Music, one of six units in the College of Fine Arts, is the largest and most comprehensive music program in New Mexico and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Department has approximately 300 music majors and 68 full-time and part-time faculty members. It offers undergraduate degrees including the Bachelor of Arts in Music; Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance, Jazz Studies, String Pedagogy, and Theory & Composition; and the Bachelor of Music Education with concentrations in Instrumental and Vocal Music. Graduate programs include the Master of Music in Collaborative Piano, Conducting, Musicology, Music Education, Performance, String Pedagogy, Theory & Composition, and Woodwinds. The Department provides students with a comprehensive musical education through a wide range of performance, academic, and pedagogical areas.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree in Viola Performance or a related field.
2. Demonstrated experience teaching and mentoring violists in collegiate, conservatory, pre-college, festival, or sustained private-studio settings.
3. For appointment at the Associate Professor rank, a sustained record of professional accomplishment commensurate with the rank.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Doctorate in Viola Performance or a related field.
2. Three or more years of successful applied teaching and mentorship of advanced or pre-professional violists in collegiate, conservatory, pre-college, festival, or sustained private-studio settings, with demonstrated excellence as a viola pedagogue and evidence of student development and achievement across varied backgrounds and levels of preparation.
3. Established or emerging national and/or international profile as a performing artist, appropriate to rank, with evidence of sustained creative activity and a compelling vision for future performance and professional engagement.
4. Experience teaching chamber music and other relevant string-related courses, such as string orchestra, string pedagogy, string technique, or string repertoire.
5. Demonstrated success or strong potential in recruiting and retaining undergraduate and graduate students, including through regional, national, or international networks.
6. Demonstrated collaborative leadership, organizational effectiveness, and commitment to program development, outreach, and shared departmental responsibilities.
7. Demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities.

Application Instructions

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Applications must include:

1. A cover letter addressing the candidate’s interest in the position and relevant qualifications.
2. A detailed curriculum vitae, including courses or subject areas previously taught or within the candidate’s ability to teach.
3. A PDF containing links to three representative recent performance recordings totaling approximately 30 to 45 minutes, at least two of which must be live and unedited
4. A statement addressing the candidate’s approach to teaching, recruitment, and student success, including their teaching philosophy, approach to developing advanced violists, strategies for recruiting and retaining students, and experience mentoring students from a range of backgrounds and with varying levels of preparation.

Quarterfinalists will be contacted at a later date to submit the following materials:

1. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of 5 professional references.
2. Hyperlinks to 2 video recordings, each featuring the candidate teaching a different viola student at a different level (one advanced and one intermediate). Each recording should be between 20 and 30 minutes in length.

Semifinalists will be asked to participate in a phone or video interview.

Finalists will be invited to the University of New Mexico to interview with the Search Committee, the Chair of the Department of Music, and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, as well as have the chance to meet with students and faculty. The finalists will perform a short recital and hold an open masterclass with students.

Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.

For Best Consideration: For best consideration, please apply by 12/7/2026. This position will remain open until filled.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

Requesting an Accommodation

Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and University of New Mexico policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the University of New Mexico, or if you cannot use the online application system, please contact Human Resources at hrpr@unm.edu (505) 277-4777 for assistance with the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of New Mexico is an equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and are dedicated to the goal of building an inclusive and pluralistic faculty and staff. We are committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.