How To Write a Music Teacher Resume
Music teachers combine deep technical knowledge with strong pedagogical skills, motivating students to express themselves musically. But how do you capture those themes on a clear, concise resume? You may be unsure where to start.
Throughout this guide, we’ll provide expert tips and strategies, leading you to write a compelling music teacher resume. You’ll learn how to create an accomplishment-driven document demonstrating your ability to foster your students’ musical abilities through effective classroom management, curriculum development, and musical expertise.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Draw readers in with a harmonious paragraph briefly describing your experience and record of success as a music teacher. Establish yourself as a dedicated educator passionate about sharing your love of music with students in elementary schools, universities, or private lessons. Begin your profile with a sentence stating your job title, years of experience, and key qualifications or specializations that align with the job posting.
Share your commitment to engaging students with creative lesson plans and innovative teaching methods that cater to different learning styles. Mention any instrument proficiencies that you have or are relevant to the job. Consider what makes you unique and qualified to be a music teacher and put it in your profile.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Dedicated music educator with eight years of experience teaching piano performance and music theory. Create and deliver dynamic classes that spark students’ creativity and enthusiasm for building piano proficiency. Focus on finding new ways to help students develop strong piano techniques and musical fluency. Work informed by a Master’s degree in piano performance.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Music teacher with strong recent experience at a large public middle school. Committed to providing dynamic music education experiences that ignite students’ creativity and curiosity.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Compose your professional experience section with your accomplishments in mind. Instead of listing your daily job duties, show hiring managers what you achieved in your past positions. Give them confidence in your ability to teach students. You can use numbers and action verbs to illustrate how you influenced your students to grow as musicians.
Talk about how you improved the program you were a part of or inspired your students to take their musical practice seriously. It takes an active and engaged music teacher to make a real impact, and hiring managers will appreciate a look into how you nurture students’ love of music.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Music Teacher and Lecturer — Piano, University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, MI | August 2018 – present
- Educate music majors and other art students on building and demonstrating proficiency with piano
- Instruct piano performance majors on advanced keyboard harmony and transposition
- Manage and update students’ piano performance schedules and attendance records
- Draw a strong link between class piano and the skills required for work in various professional music settings
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Music Teacher, BCD Middle School, Nashville, TN | August 2021 – present
- Plan and deliver general music classes to groups of up to 25 students
- Provide instrument-specific education to students in one-on-one and ensemble settings
- Broadened the scope of the school’s music curriculum to include and explore new genres, instruments, and production technologies
3. Include relevant education and certifications
If you’re a music teacher within a public or private school system, your education section is a vital part of your resume. Be sure to include your highest degree and any state licenses required for the job. In addition to your education and licensing, list any relevant certifications you may have earned during your career.
For example, a music certification in early childhood education would demonstrate your ability to tailor your lessons and teaching methods to younger students. Or, for more experienced teachers, including a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) credential could show employers your dedication to the field as a well-seasoned educator.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Music Education
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | June 2017
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Licensed Teacher, State of Tennessee | 2021
NCTM, Music Teachers National Association) | 2019
4. List pertinent key skills
Music teachers combine strong subject knowledge and communication skills to excite people about music and the arts. For an effective music teacher resume, include a “Key Skills” section that gives the hiring manager an overview of your expertise. This also optimizes your resume for application tracking systems (ATS) that filter the documents for hiring managers. Including keywords from the job description in your resume will help you get through the initial screening. Consider including terms like those below:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adaptive teaching | Arts and music education |
| Assessment and evaluation | Classroom management |
| Classroom music pedagogy | Community engagement |
| Course materials and repertoire selection | Cross-discipline collaboration |
| Cultural and world music knowledge | Curriculum development |
| Instrumental expertise | Learning workshop facilitation |
| Lesson planning | Music composition and arranging |
| Music program development | Music theory |
| Musician coaching | Private musical instruction |
| Technology integration | Tutoring |
How To Pick the Best Music Teacher Resume Template
When it comes to picking the right resume template, it needs to strike the right chords with potential employers or schools. Opt for a template that reflects your creativity and professionalism, showing your passion for music and teaching. However, keep it clean and easy to read, just like a well-written sheet of music. Heavy use of colors and elaborate graphics may give a unique look, but they can distract the reader from the content of your resume.
Music Teacher Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Jessica Lang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
Music Teacher with strong recent experience at a large public middle school. Committed to providing dynamic music education experiences that spark students’ creativity and curiosity.
Work Experience
Music Teacher, BCD Middle School, Nashville, TN
August 2021 to Present
- Plan and deliver General Music classes to groups of up to 25 students
- Provide instrument-specific education to students in one-on-one and ensemble settings
- Broadened the scope of the school’s music curriculum to include and explore new genres, instruments, and production technologies
Private Piano Tutor & Instructor, Nashville, TN
June 2018 to July 2021
- Educated students of all ages on effective piano technique, with focus on the Classical repertoire
Student Teacher, CDE Middle School, Nashville, TN
January 2021 to May 2021
- Facilitated instruction and learning activities for 7th grade English classes
- Gained strong foundation in classroom management and teaching principles
Education & Certification
Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Music Education
University of Tennessee School of Music, Knoxville, TN, May 2021
3.72 GPA magna cum laude
Recipient, ABC Scholarship
Licensed Teacher
State of Tennessee
Key Skills
- Arts & Music Education
- Classroom Management
- Community Engagement
- Lesson Planning
- Music Program Development
- Private Musical Instruction
- Musician Coaching & Tutoring
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Pine Brook Dr, Miami, FL 12345
Profile
Creative Music Teacher with nearly 5 years of experience educating students at elementary and middle schools. Plan and provide fun, dynamic music classes that spark children’s creativity, participation, and enthusiasm for the arts. Innovator focused on finding viable new ways to enhance learning for multiple student ages and ability levels.
Professional Experience
Music Teacher, KLM Elementary & Middle School, Miami, FL
August 2020 to Present
- Deliver engaging General Music classes to groups of up to 15 students
- Teach students to play specific instruments in afterschool one-on-one and group settings, with lessons on guitar, drums, flute, trumpet, piano, and upright bass
- Grew the scope of the school’s music curriculum to explore new genres, instruments, and production technologies
- Praised for creating a more current and culturally relevant music program that drew greater student interest and enrollment
Music Teacher, LMN Elementary School, Miami, FL
August 2017 to June 2020
- Planned and held lively classes to engage young learners in playing music
- Built positive relationships with other teachers, leading to better collaboration and integration of teaching subjects
Education & Certification
Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Music Education
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL, 2017
3.6 GPA | Dean’s List
Licensed Teacher
State of Florida
Key Skills
- Arts & Music Education
- Classroom Management
- Community Engagement
- Cross-Discipline Collaboration
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Workshops
- Lesson Planning
- Music Program Development
John Bergsen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
Ann Arbor, MI 12345
Profile
Dedicated Music Educator with nearly 8 years of experience teaching piano performance and music theory. Create and deliver dynamic classes that spark students’ creativity and enthusiasm for building piano proficiency. Focused on finding new ways to help students develop strong piano techniques and musical fluency. Work informed by a Master’s degree in piano performance.
Work Experience
Music Teacher & Lecturer — Piano, University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, MI
August 2018 to Present
- Educate music majors and other art students on building and demonstrating proficiency with piano
- Instruct piano performance majors on advanced keyboard harmony and transposition
- Manage and update students’ piano performance schedule and attendance records
- Draw a strong link between class piano and the skills required for work in various professional music settings
Piano Teacher, QRS Arts Academy, Detroit, MI
August 2014 to May 2018
- Planned course syllabus and delivered classes and lectures to engage learners in playing piano
- Fostered positive relationships with other educators, leading to better collaboration and integration of academic subjects
Education
University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, MI
Master of Arts (MA) — Piano Performance
Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Music Education
magna cum laude | Recipient, XYZ Honors Scholarship
Affiliation
PQR Music & Arts Association | 2020 to Present
Key Skills
- Applied Piano Lessons
- Arts & Music Education
- Classroom Music Pedagogy
- Course Materials & Repertoire Selection
- Curriculum Development
- Keyboard Orientation & Technique
- Learning Workshop Facilitation
- Lesson Planning
- Music Program Development
- Music Theory
Frequently Asked Questions: Music Teacher Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for music teacher resumes?+
Using action verbs in your resume is like adding rhythm to your qualifications. They help you concisely describe your past work experiences and add a dynamic element to your resume. You’ll find it easier to communicate your active involvement in music education and convey a sense of achievement. As you write your professional experience section, consider using the following action verbs:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Coordinated | Created |
| Decreased | Developed |
| Educated | Eliminated |
| Engaged | Enhanced |
| Established | Generated |
| Improved | Increased |
| Initiated | Instructed |
| Introduced | Planned |
| Raised | Revitalized |
| Started | Uncovered |
How do you align your resume with a music teacher job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you’re a K-12 educator or a postsecondary teacher, you can expect to see an upward trend in employment between 2022 and 2032. For public schools, this growth will depend on annual budgets and whether or not these educational institutions can afford to bring on more teachers. However, postsecondary schools will see more growth due to the demand for education that helps people meet their career goals.
To stand out from the competition and land the job you really want, you’ll need a resume that aligns with the job description of the role you’re applying for. You can increase your chances of landing an interview if you tailor your resume to meet school or client needs.
For instance, suppose a school is looking for a music teacher with expertise in ensemble leadership. You would then highlight your experience in conducting students and organizing performances. Discuss how you’ve contributed to student learning through school bands, orchestras, and choirs.
What is the best music teacher resume format?+
A chronological resume is often the best choice for music teachers as it emphasizes a strong background in hands-on experience teaching students over a long period of time. Schools can easily see your career progression and everything you’ve accomplished for as long as you’ve been a music teacher. However, a combination format can be a good option for entry-level educators or those who would rather highlight their skills, education, and certifications over their work history.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Composing a strong cover letter helps your chances of landing an interview as you search for your next teaching position. The best way to write a compelling cover letter is to tailor it to the school or organization you’re applying to. Check out our teacher cover letter guide to learn how. See our elementary teacher and substitute teacher cover letter guides for more examples.
