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Merit School of Music seeks a part-time Cello Instructor to teach group cello classes through our Merit Music in Communities (MMIC) program at James Ward Elementary School and Nobel Elementary School in Chicago, and across Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201-U in Crete-Monee, Illinois.

The instructor will work in one or more of these settings. At James Ward, they will lead two groups of 4 to 10 cello students in an after-school program. At Nobel, they will lead three groups of 4 to 10 students, both during the school day and after school. At Crete-Monee, they will co‑teach two 60‑minute group classes at each of five elementary schools alongside a violin instructor during the school day, for 10 hours per week total. In all three settings, students receive weekly group instruction and can progress through Merit’s full continuum of instruction as they advance at their site. Merit may offer additional teaching opportunities in the future.

Merit School of Music is a nationally accredited community music school headquartered in Chicago’s West Loop, with additional branches in Chicago’s Old Town and South Shore neighborhoods. Merit’s primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and grow through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 45 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has served as a springboard for them to achieve their full musical and personal potential. Our 125+ passionate, experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging 2,500 to 3,000 students annually through programming at three branches and in 25+ schools and community centers across the Chicago region.

Merit students, who reflect Chicago’s socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and equips young people with the tools they need to excel in life; virtually 100 percent of Merit graduates attend conservatories or colleges, with 50 percent choosing to study music at the postsecondary level.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. At the same time, Merit strives to be an organization that genuinely reflects Chicago’s richly diverse community. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti‑racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

The Cello Instructor reports to the Strings and Orchestras Program Director.

Responsibilities of the Cello Instructor include, but are not limited to:

Teaching and Instruction – 85%

• Deliver high-quality instruction to students in a group class setting, commensurate with Merit’s curricula, teaching philosophy, mission, and values.
• Communicate with on‑site Merit Strings and Orchestras Program faculty to coordinate instruction, support student development, and determine individual student needs and goals.
• Provide Merit staff with assessments and student recommendations for additional Merit programming.
• Support students in progressing through Merit’s continuum of instruction.

Administrative Duties – 15%

• Complete student attendance records.
• Correspond with Merit staff, school administration, and students/families in a timely fashion.
• Attend Merit faculty meetings and/or department meetings as scheduled.
• Other projects as assigned.

Must-Have Characteristics

• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent experience and training.
• Proven success teaching elementary through middle school cello students at varying skill levels, from beginner through advanced.
• Strong classroom management skills and a high level of personal musicianship.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with colleagues, school faculty, and administrators.
• Punctual, professional, and communicative, with a flexible and adaptive disposition.
• Be an ambassador for Merit School of Music by representing the organization professionally in all settings and by counseling families and students to pursue their musical studies at the deepest levels.
• Reliable access to transportation, with the ability to commute to off‑site teaching locations.
• A genuine commitment to Merit’s mission and to dignity-centered communication with students, families, and colleagues.

Preferred, But Not Required

• Experience working with staff and administration to support programming.
• Bilingual or multilingual; Spanish and Mandarin are especially valuable in this role, as many of our Ward and Nobel families speak Spanish or Mandarin.

• Group classes at James Ward Elementary School (2701 S. Shields Avenue, Chicago) take place on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 – 5:00.
• Group classes at Nobel Elementary School (4127 W. Hirsch St., Chicago) take place on Tuesday afternoons from 1:45 – 2:45 and Wednesday afternoons from 1:45 – 4:00.
• Group classes at Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201-U (multiple elementary schools in Crete-Monee, Illinois) are slated to take place Monday through Thursday mornings from 9:15 to noon, with schedule confirmation still pending.

At Merit School of Music, we believe in a human‑centered recruitment process. While our team occasionally leverages generative AI tools to assist with administrative tasks, such as formatting job descriptions or summarizing interview notes, we do not use algorithms, automated screening software, or AI platforms to evaluate, rank, or screen applicants. Humans review every application and make every hiring decision.

• Hourly base rates are calculated using a proprietary method that considers years of experience, recruitment/retention skills, studio size, education, and established success as a teacher.
• Base rates range from $40 to $80 per hour for private lessons, with an additional $2.00 per hour added to the base rate for group classes.
• Large ensembles pay 1.5x the group class rate.
• Off‑site faculty are reimbursed for mileage as calculated from Merit’s main campus.
• Full‑time faculty (780 annual teaching hours) qualify for insurance benefits. 401(k) eligibility begins after 500 annual teaching hours and one year of employment.
• Personal days and sick days are earned and used in compliance with the Chicago Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance.

ALAANA/BIPOC people, trans and gender nonconforming people, and women are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the Merit School of Music, please visit www.meritmusic.org.

Merit School of Music is committed to enhancing the diversity of our musical community, recognizing that by providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for our students, we are preparing them for personal and professional success in an increasingly multicultural and global society. The Merit community recognizes its responsibility to create and sustain a learning and working environment where difference is valued and equity and inclusion are practiced.