Director of Music

Washington Heights and Inwood (WHIN) Music Community Charter School provides a diverse student population with rigorous academic instruction, intensive music education, and a positive learning environment so that every student can thrive academically and socio-emotionally. Every WHIN student participates in both Orchestra and Choir every day in the El Sistema tradition. El Sistema is a unique social program founded in Venezuela to build community through excellence, aiming to effect social change through intensive daily ensemble music education.

About the Role

WHIN Music Community Charter School is seeking a passionate and visionary Director of Music deeply committed to enriching our school community through a performance-based, inclusive orchestral and choral music program. This role is designed for a leader who values compassion, kindness, and curiosity, integrating these principles into our learning environment. The Director of Music will collaborate with the Executive Director to shape and implement an El Sistema-based music curriculum aligned with WHIN’s mission, manage a team of music educators, and foster student growth through music.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of a school-wide El Sistema-based orchestral and choral music curriculum that is rigorous, engaging, and inclusive.
• Coordinate and support the development of standards-aligned music units, lesson plans, and assessments.
• Model excellent, responsive teaching reflecting best practices in music pedagogy and classroom management.
• Implement and support daily music classes that are joyful, challenging, and grounded in ensemble performance.
• Ensure a consistent and integrated approach to music instruction across grade levels.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of music educators through observations, coaching, and professional development.
• Build the capacity of teachers to deliver high-quality music instruction.
• Provide strategic guidance to the music team, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Cultivate a supportive team culture rooted in accountability, learning, and equity.
• Foster students’ social-emotional growth and musical identity through an inclusive music program.
• Lead the planning and execution of performances, concerts, and community events.
• Build relationships with families, keeping them informed and engaged in their children’s musical development.
• Partner with school leaders to integrate music into the broader academic and cultural vision of the school.
• Analyze student data and instructional trends to inform continuous improvement in music education.
• Collaborate with external partners, including teaching artists and musicians, to enhance the school’s music program.
• Support school-wide culture and operational systems as a member of the school’s leadership team.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Music Education and/or Music Performance, or an education-related field.
• 4+ years of successful music classroom teaching experience, preferably in an urban school setting.
• Advanced proficiency on an instrument and/or voice (orchestral string instrument highly preferred).
• Expertise in El Sistema-based music education models or similar approaches.
• Experience working with students, families, and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Experience in school leadership, teacher mentoring, content coaching, and/or possession of New York State School Building Leader (SBL) certification or equivalent from another state is preferred.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Written and spoken Spanish language skills preferred.

Skills

• Advanced proficiency or experience in Music Performance.
• Experience with pedagogical approaches such as Dalcroze, Suzuki, Orff Schulwerk, Kodály, Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, and/or Praxialism.
• Familiarity with Responsive Classroom, Love and Logic Student Management, and/or Restorative Justice.