Keyboard/Piano Teacher for weekly community programme in Sutton Coldfield

Live in the Lodge is a community music programme based in Falcon Lodge, Sutton Coldfield. We’re looking for a warm, dedicated, fun & musically versatile keyboard/piano teacher, teaching groups of 1-7 people, ages ranging from 5 to 85! All abilities. Term time, approximately 3-7pm on weekly Thursdays

Job Description

Live in the Lodge brings people of all ages together to learn and make music in Falcon Lodge, Sutton Coldfield. We’re looking for a keyboard/piano teacher who enjoys getting to know people and finding ways to help each person flourish.

You’ll teach a number of small groups of between one and seven learners, with ages ranging from five or six to people in their eighties. Our participants bring different backgrounds, musical tastes, abilities and reasons for coming along. Some are taking their first steps in music; others are building on what they already know or returning after a long break.

You’ll need to be comfortable teaching a broad range of music, adapting your approach to the people in front of you and helping learners progress at a pace that works for them. We want sessions to be enjoyable and sociable, with space to try things, ask questions and make mistakes.

We’re looking for warmth, patience, enthusiasm and a sense of humour, alongside strong musical and teaching skills. You’ll be someone who puts people at ease, notices when they need a little encouragement and takes pleasure in their progress.

Experience of teaching both children and adults would be ideal, but you don’t need to have worked with every age group. We’re also keen to hear from people who are curious, open to learning and ready to develop their practice in a non-formal community setting.

You’ll also help groups choose and prepare music for our annual participant concerts, making performing together an encouraging and rewarding part of their learning.

This isn’t a conservatoire or a school music department. Chat, tea, biscuits and getting to know people & families is just as important as the music. Some of our participants have taken real courage to walk through the door, and a teacher who notices that is worth a great deal to us.

Sessions take place on Thursdays during school term time, approximately 3-7pm. These hours may shift slightly or extend.

Job Requirements

• Strong keyboard/piano skills and experience teaching a wide variety of music.
• A flexible approach to teaching individuals and small groups with different abilities, interests and learning needs.
• A warm, welcoming manner, plenty of patience and the ability to build confidence.
• An interest in community music and enthusiasm for working with people of different ages and backgrounds.
• Experience teaching children and adults, or a willingness to learn and develop their teaching across age groups.
• The ability to help learners prepare for and enjoy performing together.
• Availability on Thursdays during school term time, roughly 3-7pm, with some flexibility as the programme develops.
• An enhanced DBS check, or willingness to undertake one.

This would be an ongoing freelance role, subject to successful future funding, currently paying £35 per hour. Beginning ASAP.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including anyone who might have a disability, and value the different experiences, perspectives and musical traditions you could bring.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments to the application.