What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upper School Music Production and Technology Instructor (Part-Time, Leave Replacement) position at Riverdale Country School?
Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses. This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.
At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color.
We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school community.
Position Overview:
Riverdale Country School seeks a part-time (2-3 classes) Music Production and Technology teacher to serve as a leave replacement from December 2026 through June 2027. The ideal candidate demonstrates passion and ability in fostering musical growth in young people, and an appreciation for the art of recording music. The instructor will offer exercises and clinics, assist in compositional choices, and collaborate closely with students to elevate our Upper School Music Production program.
Our website offers an overview of our Upper School Music curriculum. All full-time teachers participate in the life of the school community through advising, leading activities, service learning, and/or other co-curriculars. Riverdale is an inclusive community dedicated to creating a sense of belonging for all students and staff. Our hiring practices reflect this commitment, and we seek candidates eager to expand this work in the classroom, in the curriculum, and in the pedagogical principles of the department.
Please include a cover letter with your application, addressing your philosophy and priorities as a Music educator.
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Teach the foundational elements of music production, such as integrating pre-recorded loops, MIDI sounds, and live recordings with proper microphone placement. This includes familiarity with a range of DAWs, including GarageBand, Logic, Ableton Live and FL Studio.
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Establish and maintain class expectations for a respectful and positive learning environment. Engage with students with empathy and professionalism.
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Communicate effectively with students, parents, and faculty regarding student progress.
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Provide timely, constructive feedback and grades, including narrative reports
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Participate in department, faculty, and other school meetings.
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Collaborate with colleagues across departments on interdisciplinary projects, school events, curriculum development, and co-curricular opportunities as available.
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Bachelor’s degree in Music; a Master’s degree is preferred.
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Experience working as a recording musician or producer in a professional recording studio.
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Classroom or mentoring experience with adolescents.
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Effective classroom management skills and commitment to cultivating a focused, respectful, and productive learning environment.
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Basic knowledge of different types of microphones, recording techniques, interfaces, DAWs, as well as signal processing effects.
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Strong musicianship skills, and a thorough understanding of music theory and compositional practices.
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Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with students, parents, and colleagues.
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Demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive teaching practices.
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Demonstrated collegiality, collaboration, teamwork, and organization.
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Growth-oriented mindset and commitment to ongoing professional learning.
To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.
Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School
Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:
Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.
Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).
Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.
Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.
Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.
Vacation: Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.
Salary : $81,663 - $153,078