EMPLOYMENT
You can help us enrich lives through music!
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Are you a teaching artist, music educator, or passionate about working in music education?
The San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory is expanding and we would like to keep you informed as positions become available. If you share our passion for instilling the magic of music in students then one of the positions listed below may be the perfect match for you.
We also appreciate when you spread the word to your friends and colleagues. You can help us enrich lives through music!
For more information or to apply for a position, please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to the Hiring Manager at hr@keynote-music.org. No phone calls, please.
CURRENT OPENINGS
Conductor – Beginner-Intermediate Winds
- Position Type: Part-time, Non-exempt
- Compensation: $70/hr. for Conducting – $35/hr. for Preparation
- Schedule: Primarily on weekends based on program needs
About Us:
San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) has been setting the bar for excellence in music education for nearly 80 years. We are passionate about instilling musical and personal growth in young people through rigorous, joyful, and inclusive ensemble experiences. At SDYS, students grow not just as musicians but as leaders, collaborators, and citizens of their community.
Role Overview:
As the Beginning-Intermediate Winds Conductor, you will lead students grades 2-8 during weekly rehearsals and performances. You’ll collaborate with SDYS’ Artistic and Administrative teams to select repertoire, shape the ensemble experience, and contribute to a culture of excellence, equity, and creativity. This position plays a vital role in helping students grow as musicians and collaborators as part of an ensemble rooted in commitment and support. As your availability allows, and at the discretion of SDYS’ Associate Director, you may choose to conduct up to two ensembles.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct weekly rehearsals and performances for assigned ensembles
- Select diverse and appropriate repertoire in collaboration with the Artistic Director
- Maintain an inclusive and positive rehearsal environment
- Communicate clearly with students and families regarding expectations and schedules
- Participate in audition adjudication, ensemble placements, and artistic staff meetings
- Support colleagues through collaboration, rehearsal observations, and occasional subbing
- Assist in student recruitment efforts and coordinate with operations for rehearsal logistics
- Follow SDYS program standards, procedures, and artistic goals
Qualifications:
- Experience in ensemble conducting
- Ensemble teaching experience and/or training in winds instruction
- Musical ability on a wind instrument so that you can demonstrate to students
- Culturally aware and sensitive with experience teaching diverse learners
- Classroom management experience
- Role model to students as a musician, mentor, and citizen
- Ability to work well with a team that is passionate about music education
- Excellent, consistent communication with SDYS artistic and administrative staff, with a basic familiarity with Google applications (i.e. Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive) and video chat software (e.g. Zoom).
- Comfort and willingness to work with and through technology, including basic video and audio editing
- Spanish/English bilingualism is an asset
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: $70/hr. for Conducting & $35/hr. for Prep
Benefits:
- Accrued Paid Sick Leave
- Optional 401(K), unmatched
Free tuition in SDYS programs for employee household and free employee instrument loans when available - Discounts at participating Balboa Park and NTC Liberty Station vendors and free admission to participating museums in Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
How To Apply:
If you are passionate about music education and want to make a difference in the community, we would love to hear from you. Please review the full job description linked here and email your resume and cover letter to hr@keynote-music.org.
SDYS is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, opportunities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. Please reach out to hr@keynote-music.org with any request for accommodations.
Opus Project Teaching Artist – Strings
- Position Type: Part-time, Non-exempt
- Compensation: $46-50/hr. for Teaching – $24/hr. for Preparation
- Schedule: Weekday afternoons at school sites in Santee and/or Chula Vista, with occasional evenings and weekends for training, events, and concerts. Schedule and hours dependent on program needs.
About Us:
San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) has been setting the bar for excellence in music education for more than 80 years. We are passionate about instilling musical and personal growth in young people through rigorous, joyful, and inclusive ensemble experiences. At SDYS, students grow not just as musicians but as leaders, collaborators, and citizens of their community.
Role Overview:
As an Opus Project Strings Teaching Artist, you will provide beginning instrumental instruction in strings to students in group classes and full ensembles. Working as part of a team in our after-school programs at public schools in the San Diego County region, you’ll create a joyful and holistic environment for musical learning and help students grow in confidence, leadership, and creativity through music.
Key Responsibilities:
- Teach beginning strings students in group classes and full ensembles at after-school program sites
- Develop and deliver engaging lesson plans, set clear learning goals, and assess student progress
- Create a safe, consistent, and inclusive learning environment with clear expectations
- Inspire students through your own musical curiosity, artistry, and constructive feedback
- Build collaborative relationships with students, families, colleagues, and school partners
- Record attendance, document student progress, and participate in meetings and professional development
- Maintain required work clearances, certifications (e.g., TB testing, LiveScan fingerprinting, CPR/First Aid), and training
Qualifications:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a music field, or equivalent experience
- Excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer on a string instrument
- Strong knowledge of string-specific repertoire, curriculum, and pedagogy
- Classroom management skills sensitive to students’ diverse experiences and needs
- Ability to work well with a team that is passionate about music education
- Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English bilingualism is an asset
Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation: $46-50/hr. for Conducting & $24/hr. for Prep
Benefits:
- Accrued Paid Sick Leave
- Optional 401(K), unmatched
Free tuition in SDYS programs for employee household and free employee instrument loans when available - Discounts at participating Balboa Park and NTC Liberty Station vendors and free admission to participating museums in Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
How To Apply:
If you are passionate about music education and want to make a difference in the community, we would love to hear from you. Please email your resume and cover letter to hr@keynote-music.org.
SDYS is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, opportunities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. Please reach out to hr@keynote-music.org with any request for accommodations.
Community Opus Project Coordinator
- Position Type: Part-time (20 hours per week), Non-exempt
- Compensation: $22-26 per hour
- Schedule: Weekdays; some evenings or weekends based on program needs
About Us:
San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) has been setting the bar for excellence in music education for nearly 80 years. We are passionate about instilling musical and personal growth in young people through rigorous, joyful, and inclusive ensemble experiences. At SDYS, students grow not just as musicians but as leaders, collaborators, and citizens of their community.
Role Overview:
As the Community Opus Project Coordinator, you will support the administrative and operational functions of the Opus Project and adjacent community programs. This position is responsible for communication, process development, data tracking and reporting, and project and event support. The coordinator will work closely with the Community Opus Project Manager to align daily activities with the program’s strategic vision and goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Communicate about registration and enrollment with program participants, families, schools, and other stakeholders
- Maintain and update Opus Project calendars and support teaching artist scheduling
- Assist the Community Opus Program Manager with generating content for the website and social media
- Collaborate with the Instrument Library to facilitate instrument loans, returns, requests, repairs, and exchanges for Opus students
- Monitor incoming messages via department email and/or phone and reply, escalate, or redirect as appropriate
- Maintain and add contacts to email list as needed; ensure accuracy of information
- Communicate to families and community through email, social media, or other methods
- Maintain program inventory and supplies, prepare supplies as needed, and coordinate with Community Opus Project Manager to order additional materials as needed
- Collect, organize, and maintain student and program data
- Generate reports and produce qualitative and quantitative data for use in daily activities, decision-making, and development
- Support the planning process and implementation of events, including but not limited to camps, community gatherings, and concerts
- Support the recruitment, registration, and audition process for Opus Project students joining SDYS
- Coordinate with Finance & Accounting to process payments, refunds, and other financial functions as needed
- Attend concerts, events, and fundraisers as needed
Qualifications:
Required:
- 1-2 years experience in program coordination, office administration, or educational/nonprofit environment
- Strong knowledge or affinity for technology, spreadsheets, and databases
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency with Google Suite and standard office software
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a part-time capacity
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to visit program sites across San Diego County
Preferred:
- Undergraduate degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
- General knowledge of and experience with instrumental music or creative youth development
- Familiarity with Canva or other graphic design tools
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Experience with student management systems or registration databases
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: $22-26 per hour
Benefits:
- Accrued Paid Sick Leave
- Optional 401(K), unmatched
Free tuition in SDYS programs for employee household and free employee instrument loans when available - Discounts at participating Balboa Park and NTC Liberty Station vendors and free admission to participating museums in Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
How To Apply:
If you are passionate about music education and want to make a difference in the community, we would love to hear from you. Please review the full job description linked here and email your resume and cover letter to hr@keynote-music.org.
SDYS is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, opportunities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. Please reach out to hr@keynote-music.org with any request for accommodations.
Production Assistant
- Position Type: Part-time, Non-exempt
- Compensation: $20/hr.
- Schedule: Primarily weekends, with some weekday evenings, based on program needs
About Us:
San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) has been setting the bar for excellence in music education for more than 80 years. We are passionate about instilling musical and personal growth in young people through rigorous, joyful, and inclusive ensemble experiences. At SDYS, students grow not just as musicians but as leaders, collaborators, and citizens of their community.
Role Overview:
As a Production Assistant, you will help create a welcoming atmosphere and contribute to the success of rehearsals, concerts, and events across SDYS programs. Reporting to the Associate Director, Production & Operations, you will handle the many and varied jobs that keep a rehearsal day running, from setting the room before students arrive to loading out after a concert. This position is often the first face a family sees when they walk in the door, and it plays a vital role in making SDYS feel organized, safe, and welcoming to everyone who comes through it.
Key Responsibilities:
- Set up rehearsal rooms, including chairs and stands, for all SDYS ensembles every Saturday and/or Sunday and some weekday evenings, ensuring student safety at all times
- Set up equipment and instruments according to schedules, and move music equipment between buildings and spaces as needed
- Welcome students, families, and visitors to rehearsals and events, and answer questions
- Copy, prepare, and distribute music under the guidance of the Music Librarian
- Check out instruments and supplies, process broken instruments, and receive donations under the guidance of the Instrument Librarian
- Handle sales of SDYS merchandise, snacks, and instrument supplies as needed, following SDYS cash handling procedures
- Enlist and assist students and parent volunteers in setup and breakdown
- Assist with all elements of concert production and special events, including advance planning, dress rehearsals, load-in and load-out, stage setup, and student supervision
Qualifications:
- Experience with music and/or event production
- Personable and outwardly friendly, with the ability to deliver effective customer service to students, parents, visitors, and artistic faculty
- Positive, proactive, and creative problem solver
- Able to follow direction and also work independently
- Knowledge of orchestral and band instruments, with the ability to read music notation, including orchestral scores and part distribution
- Able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 40 pounds in and out of trucks and across rooms and buildings
- Availability to work Saturdays and/or Sundays during the rehearsal season, plus some weekday rehearsals, concerts, and events
- Local travel within San Diego County required
- High school diploma or GED required; some college preferred
- Bilingualism in English and Spanish, Mandarin, or Korean is an asset
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation: $20/hr.
Benefits:
- Accrued Paid Sick Leave
- Optional 401(K), unmatched
Free tuition in SDYS programs for employee household and free employee instrument loans when available - Discounts at participating Balboa Park and NTC Liberty Station vendors and free admission to participating museums in Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
How To Apply:
If you are passionate about music education and want to be a part of the SDYS community, we would love to hear from you. Please review the full job description linked here and email your resume and cover letter to hr@keynote-music.org.
SDYS is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, opportunities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. Please reach out to hr@keynote-music.org with any request for accommodations.