The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is one of eleven resident organizations of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. CMS’s mission is to stimulate and support broadly, the art form of chamber music’s appreciation, performance, and composition. CMS hosts 150+ Education and Community Engagement events each season, serving more than 14,000 people of all ages across New York City.

CMS seeks Teaching Artists to join our Education and Community Engagement roster for the 2026-2027 season. This is a contract seasonal position, that operates throughout the school year with a commitment from September 2026 through June 2027. Reporting to the Director of Education & Community Engagement, Teaching Artists are placed in Chamber Music Beginnings, our flagship in-school program, and have opportunity to support our relaxed-format concert series for children ages 3-7 with a focus on neurodiverse audiences, CMS Kids.

• Design and deliver student-centered lesson plans aligned with CMS’s Chamber Music Beginnings curriculum framework and the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Music, assessing student learning throughout each visit and adjusting instruction in real time
• Teach two rounds of in-school visits (fall and winter) with 3rd-5th grade classes across NYC public, private, and charter schools, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners including Title I students and English Language Learners
• Perform as part of a Teaching Artist chamber ensemble in culminating in-school assembly concerts (spring), including ensemble rehearsals and coaching sessions with CMS Roster Artists
• Attend 2-3 full-day training sessions per season, typically scheduled in September, January, and April, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development and program planning

Compensation

• Teaching sessions: $75 fee per session
• In-school assembly ensemble concerts: $200 fee per performance
• Trainings, rehearsals, and meetings: fee of $35/hour

Required Qualifications

• Degree in music, music education, or equivalent professional training
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a teaching artist or music educator in school or community settings
• Performance experience as a classical musician with a chamber music background
• Willingness to travel to schools and venues across NYC and New Jersey

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to design and deliver student-centered lesson plans with clear learning objectives
• Strong classroom management skills and experience working with students in grades 3-5
• Ability to differentiate instruction and work effectively with students of diverse backgrounds and learning needs
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an ensemble and a teaching team
• Strong communication skills and a high degree of professionalism, reliability, and accountability

Submit all application materials via the CMS Teaching Artist application portal. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The season begins in September 2026.

https://airtable.com/appLXuDAGGp0n68JH/pagIZMrfgu6LiHcet/form

All materials must be submitted together to the online application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• Resume, including both artistic and teaching experience, with at least two professional references
• Statement of Interest describing your approach to teaching artistry and your interest in chamber music education
• Written Lesson plan (10-15 minutes in length) on the topic “What is Chamber Music?” for students in grades 3-5, using CMS’s current season repertoire as your musical anchor. Season repertoire is available at chambermusicsociety.org. The lesson plan should be student-centered and include clear learning objectives.
• Performance video (5-10 minutes) demonstrating professional-level musicianship on your primary instrument.
• Teaching video (10-15 minutes) of you leading a session with students, from a school visit, workshop, or residency. The sample should demonstrate student engagement, classroom management, and the ability to connect musical concepts to student experience. (OPTIONAL)

Finalists will be invited to one or more interviews, which may include a live teaching demonstration.