10 Music Teacher Resume Examples for 2024

As a music teacher, your resume needs to show both teaching skill and musical ability. In this article, we provide examples of good resumes for music teachers and offer strategic advice. Learn how to highlight your skills, credentials, and experience to impress hiring managers and secure your next job in education.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best music teacher resumes:

  • Show Impact Using Numbers: The best resumes use numbers to show impact. Common metrics: student pass rates, performance improvements, event participation, and program growth.

  • List Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are instrument proficiency, curriculum planning, music theory, music software, and ensemble directing. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Personalized Student Engagement: Best resumes show tailored lesson plans, individual growth plans, and customized assessments.

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When making a resume as a music education professional, place your education section where it will be most effective. If you have been teaching music for many years, you might list your work experience first. However, if you have recently earned a degree in music education or completed significant training such as a master's degree, showcase this near the top. It highlights your advanced knowledge and dedication to the field.

You should prioritize details in your education that align with teaching music. Include your degree, major, and any additional certifications such as music theory or instrument proficiency. Credentials like these show you have the required background and are well-equipped to teach music. If you are new to the workforce, your recent academic achievements in music will help establish your expertise. Omit less relevant education, like high school, unless it's your highest level of education.

Highlight your teaching methods

When applying for roles in music education, highlight your teaching methods. Explain how you engage students and adapt lessons to various learning styles. This shows potential employers you can teach effectively.

Include any experience you have with different musical instruments and any specialized techniques you use. This specificity can set you apart from other applicants.

Ideal resume length

For music teachers, your resume should be concise. If you have less than 10 years of teaching or relevant musical experience, aim to present your qualifications on one page. This helps you show your ability to prioritize what's essential. Ensure the most compelling information appears on the first page as hiring managers may only glance briefly at each application.

If you have a wealth of experience, spanning more than a decade, it’s appropriate to use a second page. Focus on your most recent and relevant experience, especially roles that involve teaching or directly influencing student learning and performance. Good use of space and a clear layout help keep your resume readable, so avoid small fonts and margins that make it hard to read.

Showcase performances and recitals

As a teacher in music, include any performances or recitals you have led or performed in. This displays your practical experience and ability to work with students in a live setting.

Mention any collaborations with other artists or institutions. This shows your ability to work well in team environments and build professional relationships.

Beat the resume screener

When you apply for jobs, remember that your resume might first be read by software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is true for music teaching positions too. Make sure your resume makes it through this first check.

Here are two tips:

  • Use keywords from the job description. If the job asks for skills in 'curriculum development' or 'ensemble direction,' include these exact words.
  • Choose a simple format. An ATS can have trouble reading fancy fonts or layouts. Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman and avoid using images or tables.

Tailor your teaching experience

You need to show work that fits the job. When you list your past jobs, pick the tasks that match what a music teacher does. This helps the person hiring see you're right for the job.

  • List instruments you teach, like piano or guitar, to show your skills.
  • Show you can plan lessons by giving an example, like created a year-long curriculum for beginner violin students.
  • If you’ve led groups, mention how many students you taught in a class to show you can manage a classroom, like led a class of 20 students.

Key skills for teaching music

When crafting your resume, it's important to highlight the specific skills that show you're a good fit for a music teacher role. You want to match your skills with those sought after in the job descriptions you're targeting. Here's a list of key skills to consider:

  • Instrument proficiency
  • Music theory knowledge
  • Curriculum development
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom management
  • Performance direction
  • Music technology
  • Assessment and grading
  • Conducting ensembles
  • Special education

Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are used by many schools to filter candidates. Schools with music programs are looking for teachers who are not just good musicians but also effective educators. If you specialize in an area, like choral music or jazz studies, make sure you list that too. It shows you have a niche expertise.

Remember, you don't need to list every skill you have. Pick the ones that relate to the job you want. For example, if you're applying to teach in an elementary school, emphasize skills like early music education. For a high school position, advanced music theory might be more relevant. Think about where to place each skill on your resume. Some might go under your work experience to show how you've used them in practice. Others might fit best in the skills section. Always aim to show, not just tell, your qualifications.

Show leadership in music teaching

When you apply for a teaching role, it's important to show how you've led and grown in your career. If you've taken on leadership tasks or moved up in your position, make sure to include this on your resume. Let's think of ways you might have done this as a music instructor.

  • Did you lead a school band or choir to a competition? Mention the event and how your guidance improved the group's performance.
  • If you organized a music festival or concert, include it. This shows your ability to manage events and lead a team.

Think about any times you helped other teachers or led workshops to train them. These are good examples of leadership. If you have been promoted, for example, from assistant to head music instructor, include this on your resume. Use clear language to describe what you did and how it made a difference.

Show impact with numbers

When you add numbers to your resume, you make your work come to life. They show how you made things better in your role as a music teacher. Think about the size of the classes you taught and how you helped students improve. Use numbers to show this growth.

Here are some ways you can use numbers:

  • Count the number of students you taught each year and describe any increase in student enrollment due to your teaching methods.
  • Track the percentage of students who passed music exams or moved to a higher level class under your guidance.
  • Measure the growth in school music program participation after you led a new initiative or performance.
  • Calculate the hours you devoted to planning lessons and how this preparation improved student outcomes.

Remember, even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, you can estimate. Think about the start and end of a school year and the changes you saw. If your students had a 90% pass rate on their music exams, that's a strong number to share. If you increased the number of annual school concerts from 2 to 5, it shows your dedication to providing performance opportunities. Any growth in the school's music budget or the number of instruments provided under your tenure can also be quantified, for example, a 15% budget increase or 10 new instruments. These figures help hiring managers see your value clearly.

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