Limited Term Appointment - Contemporary Commercial Piano Instructor

Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Music

Department: Music Academic

Campus: Waterloo

Employee Group: WLUFA

Requisition ID: 9255

Limited Term Appointment – Contemporary Commercial Piano Instructor and Jazz Ensemble Director

Review begins after two weeks

The Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University invites applications for a one-year Limited Term Appointment at the rank of Lecturer in the area of Jazz Ensemble leadership and Contemporary Commercial Piano Instruction, commencing July 1, 2025. This position is subject to budgetary approval.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching Contemporary Commercial Piano (Jazz and other genres) and directing Jazz Ensemble, as well as teaching other core and elective courses in the Bachelor of Music program that match the candidate’s qualifications and expertise. Examples of such courses may include teaching improvisation, keyboard foundations, keyboard harmony, entrepreneurship in the music industry, record deals and music production. The candidate will also serve on audition, jury and graduation recital panels as necessary, support recruitment initiatives and engage in the administrative life of the Faculty.

L aurier’s renowned Faculty of Music is dedicated to fostering artistic and scholarly development of the highest calibre. Our six degree and diploma programs, coupled with the addition of the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, makes the Faculty of Music and Waterloo, Ontario a desired location for quality university and preparatory music education. The Faculty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees (Masters and PhD), and a newly launched certificate program: Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem. The faculty is comprised of distinguished scholars, performers, educators, and community musicians who are committed to providing a creative environment for student success.

As innovators in music education, the Faculty of Music offers opportunities to enhance student creativity and choice with partnerships at schools like Metalworks Institute, Randolph College For The Performing Arts, and Michigan State University College of Music. The Faculty is also home to two cutting-edge research centres: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. These centres are dedicated to advancing knowledge in music therapy and community music, respectively.

Applicants for this position must have the following qualifications:

National and/or international recognition as a performing Jazz artist

Minimum of Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance; Masters or DMA/PhD or equivalent in Music is an asset

Minimum of five years instruction in advanced studio piano

Minimum of five years of University, High school, or community Jazz band leadership/conducting

Evidence of embracing diversity and inclusion in programming and classroom instruction

Administrative experience that demonstrates the candidate’s capacity to work as part of a faculty teaching team

Applications must include:

-A letter of interest that directly speaks to your qualifications for the position;

-A curriculum vitae;

-Sample programs of Jazz ensemble concerts;

-Links to video examples demonstrating ensemble leadership/conducting and piano performance;

- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as a course syllabus, a peer teaching review, student success and feedback; candidates with prior university teaching experience are expected to provide institutional teaching evaluations); and evidence of student success;

-A Philosophy of Teaching and Pedagogical Values statement, which includes concrete examples that put philosophy into practice;

-A list of courses or areas in which you would be comfortable and qualified to teach, beyond the applied studio and Jazz ensemble. Evidence of excellence and experience teaching in such areas is an asset;

-A list of three referees that can speak to professionalism, teaching effectiveness, character, and collegiality.

Only complete applications will be considered. All applications must include Position Number 9255 and should be addressed to:

Anya Alexeyev

Chair, Faculty Search Committee

Faculty of Music

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5

Email:

Electronic applications should quote Position Number 9255.

Deadline for applications is May 11, 2025.

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at . Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at .

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obligated to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenships, however, all applicants must include one of the following statements in their cover letter:

Yes, I am a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada;

No, I am not a current citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Members of the designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, to Michelle Corbett, Senior Administrative Officer (). Further information on the equity policy can be found at

Applicants are encouraged to address any career interruptions or special circumstances that may have affected their record of research and teaching, in accordance with SSHRC and NSERC definitions and guidelines. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Justine MacNeil ().

The Faculty of Music wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. All nominations and applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the Search Committee and a short list of candidates shall be interviewed. Only those applicants selected for the short list will be contacted.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a CV and letter of introduction will be required in electronic form.