Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Singing / Voice

About UNCSA: Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts ( UNCSA) opened in Winston-Salem in 1965 as America's first public arts conservatory. The school became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. UNCSA's mission is to train students for professional careers in the arts. Its five conservatories-Dance, Design and Production, Drama, Filmmaking, and Music-train aspiring artists from high school through postgraduate study. UNCSA provides gifted emerging artists with the experience, knowledge, and skills needed to excel in their disciplines and in their lives. As North Carolina's unique public arts conservatory, UNCSA is committed to rigorous professional training, artistic excellence, innovation, collaboration, and the development of artists prepared to contribute meaningfully to the field.

School of Drama Overview: The School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a top-ranked program that offers rigorous conservatory training grounded in classical values while preparing students for the demands of contemporary theatre, film, television, and related performance industries. Students develop through rigorous practice, creative techniques, interpretive and generative work, and extensive performance opportunities. The School provides students with the tools to hone their individual artistic voices, develop their creative processes, and foster innovation. Faculty work collaboratively across disciplines to prepare dynamic, versatile, and accomplished artists for a broad range of professional careers.

We seek an accomplished artist-educator with significant expertise in musical theatre singing, contemporary vocal pedagogy, and the training of the singing actor. The successful candidate will teach primarily group singing courses for BFA Acting students, while contributing to the School of Drama's musical theatre curriculum through vocal coaching, repertoire development, audition preparation, musical direction, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate understands musical theatre singing as an integrated voice and acting practice, and can help students develop vocal technique, musicianship, musicality, acting, storytelling, stylistic awareness, and healthy, sustainable vocal practices. The successful candidate will bring both pedagogical expertise and meaningful professional connection to the field and contribute to the continued development of musical theatre training within a rigorous, collaborative conservatory environment.

* Teach singing courses to students in the BFA Acting program, primarily through group-based instruction, contributing to a deliberate developmental progression across the curriculum.

* Develop students' musicianship, including musical literacy, basic music theory, rhythmic understanding, vocal ensemble skills, and practical musicianship for actors, while teaching classical musical theatre, contemporary musical theatre, and relevant contemporary commercial music styles with an emphasis on healthy, sustainable vocal technique and stylistic versatility.

* Develop students' ability to integrate singing and acting through text, character, intention, storytelling, musical interpretation, physical expression, and performance practice.

* Coach students in musical theatre repertoire, including song selection, cuts, interpretation, style, and performance practice, and prepare students for professional auditions, self-tapes, and other performance materials.

* Contribute to BFA Senior Showcase preparation and advising, supporting students in developing individual artistic voices, professional practices, and career readiness.

* Coach principals and ensembles in material for musical productions, presentations, and other performance opportunities.

Music Direction and Collaborative Musicianship

* When applicable, serve as music director and/or conductor for School of Drama musical theatre productions as assigned by the Dean, including participation in rehearsals and performances.

* Collaborate with directors, choreographers, actors, designers, musicians, production personnel, faculty, staff musicians, and the school's collaborative pianist in the development and realization of classes, showcases, auditions, rehearsals, and productions.

* When appropriate, contribute skills in piano/keyboard, arranging, orchestral reduction, keyboard programming, or other production-related musical responsibilities.

* Collaborate with faculty in Acting, Voice and Speech, Dance, Directing, Design and Production, Music, and other areas of the School and University to integrate singing with acting, movement, voice and speech, and other elements of actor training.

* Advise and mentor students regarding artistic development, repertoire, professional preparation, and career pathways, and participate in interdisciplinary teaching, workshops, guest artist activities, recruitment, auditions, student evaluations, showcases, and other School activities as assigned.

* Contribute to the ongoing development, assessment, and evolution of the School of Drama's musical theatre singing curriculum, including curriculum sequencing, learning outcomes, assessment, repertoire, and emerging practices, as well as the broader vision and future development of musical theatre training within the school.

* Contribute to recruitment and initiatives that support the growth and visibility of the program; participate in School of Drama faculty meetings and other division, campus, and University committees, and advising students as assigned.

* Maintain effective collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, guest artists, and industry professionals and perform other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will possess:

* A master's degree or terminal degree in Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Voice, Music Education, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience and demonstrated expertise.

* Significant professional experience in musical theatre and demonstrated expertise in musical theatre singing, vocal performance, and contemporary vocal pedagogy.

* Demonstrated experience teaching singing or vocal technique to musical theatre performers, preferably in a conservatory or similarly rigorous educational environment, with the ability to teach students with varied levels of experience.

* Demonstrated knowledge of classic and contemporary musical theatre vocal styles, repertoire, and practices.

* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and with students, faculty, staff, guest artists, and production personnel.

* Commitment to student-centered teaching, mentorship, and artistic development, with the flexibility to participate in classes, rehearsals, performances, auditions, and other School activities.

* Specialized training or expertise in contemporary commercial music ( CCM) vocal pedagogy and healthy contemporary singing practices.

* Professional experience as a musical director, conductor, vocal coach, accompanist, arranger, or collaborative musician.

* Strong piano/keyboard skills and/or experience with arranging, orchestral reductions, or keyboard programming.

* Broad knowledge of traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire and related popular styles, including pop, rock, country, and R&B.

* Experience preparing students for college or professional musical theatre auditions and working with BFA or conservatory-level students.

* Experience collaborating across Acting, Dance, Voice and Speech, Directing, Music, and Production, as well as experience with curriculum development and program assessment.

* Familiarity with current technologies, digital tools, and evolving professional practices within the performing arts, along with a significant connection to the professional theatre and/or musical theatre industry.

UNCSA's institutional values of community, collaboration, and imagination inform the hiring process. We seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to creating rigorous, supportive, inclusive, and collaborative learning environments for artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The successful candidate will bring an understanding of the evolving musical theatre profession and the versatility and vision to help prepare students for a changing field. UNCSA follows Southern Association of Colleges and Schools ( SACS) guidelines for faculty credentialing. The successful candidate will be required to submit a curriculum vitae, official transcripts of earned degrees, and/or substantiating documentation of experiential qualifications as a condition of employment. UNCSA is an Equal Opportunity constituent of the University of North Carolina.

Application Review:The position is open until filled, but priority will be given to candidates who apply by December 1st, 2026.
Interested applicants must apply online through the UNCSA employment website and upload the following materials:

1. Letter of application addressing the candidate's interest in the position and qualifications for teaching musical theatre singing in a rigorous BFA conservatory environment.

2. Curriculum vitae, including professional, teaching, and artistic experience.

3. Statement of teaching philosophy, including the candidate's approach to teaching singing and musical theatre to actors in a conservatory environment.

5. Optional additions: portfolio / artistic work samples /teaching demonstration materials; links to recordings, teaching samples, music direction work, or other supporting material.

An EHRA Faculty application is required in order to be considered for a faculty position. Please note, EHRA Faculty applications do not have an employment entry section. Instead, a resume/CV will be required to be uploaded by the applicant, along with any other documents the Department or assigned Search Committee deem relevant for the review process. Applications will be treated confidentially until the final stages of the search process.

The following documents are required to be uploaded with the application;

UNCSA follows the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools ( SACS) guidelines for faculty credentialing. The successful candidate will be required to submit a curriculum vitae, official transcripts of earned degrees, and/or substantiating documentation of experiential qualifications as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to UNCSA policy, as a condition of employment the University must obtain a criminal background report and determine that the nature and seriousness of any criminal offenses do not render employment with the University inappropriate.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on race, religion, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, or disability.