Jobs

JAM Guitar Instructor

Location: Hart Square Village, Vale, NC
Schedule: Tuesdays, 3:00–6:00 PM | 14-week semesters (Fall & Winter)
Pay: $120 per teaching day (this is $30 an hour and includes one hour of prep time/lesson planning).
Estimated $1,680 a semester.

Hart Square Foundation is seeking a passionate and skilled Guitar Instructor to teach students in grades 4th—8th in our Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) after-school program. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in traditional Appalachian music and the ability to teach by ear, using the traditional methods outlined by the JAM program standards.

Responsibilities:

  • Supervise weekly study hall/warm-up period from 3-4 pm, which takes place before instruction begins.

  • Lead weekly 90-minute small group guitar classes for elementary and middle school-aged students—maximum of 10 students per class.

  • Oversee parent pick-up at 5:30. 

  • Teach students to play by ear, focusing on traditional Appalachian styles and tunes.

  • Create a supportive, engaging, and culturally respectful learning environment.

  • Collaborate with the program coordinator and other instructors on student progress and events.

  • Prepare students for occasional informal performances or showcases at Hart Square.

  • Maintain student attendance and basic progress notes.

  • Willingness to enrich teaching methodologies and instructional skills covered in regional professional development and training sessions held multiple times yearly and hosted by JAM.

Qualifications:

  • Proficient guitar player with a deep understanding of Appalachian music traditions
     

  • Experience teaching children in group settings preferred
     

  • Ability to teach songs and tunes without written music, following JAM's oral tradition-based approach
     

  • Ability to follow and/or create a lesson plan incorporating historical context and educational information about regional styles, diverse cultures, and musicians.
     

  • Friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic about preserving regional music heritage
     

  • Background check required upon hire

JAM Banjo Instructor

Location: Hart Square Village, Vale, NC
Schedule: Wednesdays, 3:00–6:00 PM | 14-week semesters (Fall & Winter)
Pay: $120 per teaching day (this is $30 an hour and includes one hour of prep time/lesson planning).
Estimated $1,680 a semester. 

Hart Square Foundation is seeking a passionate and skilled Banjo Instructor to teach students in grades 4th—8th in our Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) afterschool program. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in traditional Appalachian music and the ability to teach by ear, using clawhammer or three-finger style banjo and traditional methods outlined by JAM program standards.

Responsibilities:

  • Supervise weekly study hall/warm-up period from 3-4 pm, which takes place before instruction begins.

  • Lead weekly 90-minute small group banjo classes for elementary and middle school-aged students—maximum of 10 students per class.

  • Oversee parent pick-up at 5:30.

  • Teach students to play by ear, focusing on traditional Appalachian styles and tunes.

  • Create a supportive, engaging, and culturally respectful learning environment.

  • Collaborate with the program coordinator and other instructors on student progress and events.

  • Prepare students for occasional informal performances or showcases at Hart Square.

  • Maintain student attendance and basic progress notes.

  • Willingness to enrich teaching methodologies and instructional skills covered in regional professional development and training sessions held multiple times yearly and hosted by JAM.

Qualifications:

  • Skilled in old-time or bluegrass banjo playing (clawhammer and/or Scruggs-style)
     
  • Experience teaching children in group settings preferred
     
  • Ability to teach songs and tunes without written music, following JAM's oral tradition-based approach
     
  • Ability to follow and/or create a lesson plan incorporating historical context and educational information about regional styles, diverse cultures, and musicians.
     
  • Friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic about preserving regional music heritage
     
  • Background check required upon hire. 

To apply, please send your resume to mya@hartsquare.com