Vocal Coach
Michigan State University College of Music
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Full Time (100%), academic year
Fixed Term Faculty
Rank: Instructor
Position Summary
The Michigan State University College of Music looks forward to welcoming a Vocal Coach to our faculty. We invite applications for a fixed-term instructor Vocal Coach position to begin August 16, 2027. This is a full-time, academic-year appointment. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, subject to institutional approval.
Responsibilities
- Provide vocal coaching primarily to undergraduate vocalists
- Teach courses that strengthen vocal students’ career readiness (including but not limited to British, American, and German song literature)
- Provide guidance to student pianists in preparing for opera rehearsals
Required Degree
Master’s degree in music or equivalent professional-level experience
Minimum Requirements
- Demonstrated successful experience in vocal coaching at the collegiate or professional level
- Demonstrated knowledge of Italian, German, French, and Spanish, with the ability to coach singers in these languages
- Demonstrated strong pianistic skills for vocal coaching and collaborative performance
- Comprehensive knowledge of vocal repertoire
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with singers, faculty, and other colleagues
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Desired Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in Collaborative Piano or ABD status in a doctoral program in Collaborative Piano
- Experience as a pianist/vocal coach with a professional opera company or apprenticeship/young artist program
- Fluency in at least one of the following languages: Italian, German, or French
- Demonstrated successful experience in classroom teaching
Required Application Materials
- Letter of application addressing qualifications and relevant professional experience
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for three professional references
- Links to two recent video recordings:
- Vocal Coaching: A recent video recording of a vocal coaching session, addressing diction, style, and other interpretational issues, preferably with college-level singer(s) (15-20 minutes)
- Collaborative Performance: A recent collaborative performance with singer(s) demonstrating the applicant’s pianistic skills, musical sensibility, and collaborative artistry (5-10 minutes)
Include the links in your letter of application or in a separate document uploaded with your application. Please make sure the videos can be viewed without a login or password.
Special Instructions
To apply, please visit the MSU job postings website (careers.msu.edu) and select posting #1176690.
For full consideration, please submit applications by November 30, 2026. Review will continue until the position is filled.
Review of Applications begins on 11/30/2026.
College Statement:
With 85 faculty members, the Michigan State University College of Music serves approximately 600 majors and offers a comprehensive range of degree programs from baccalaureate through the doctorate. More than 2,000 non-music majors participate in Music classes and ensembles each year. Visit the About section on this website for more information.
MSU Statement:
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
