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Careers at Crowden

Open Positions

Early Childhood Music Teacher

Part-Time/Hourly · Berkeley, CA · In-Person · Begins Fall 2026

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to careers@crowden.org by August 1, 2026.

Position Summary

Crowden is seeking a dynamic and skilled Early Childhood Music Teacher with an understanding of and passion for teaching pre-instrument students ages 3 through 7. You’ll be responsible for designing and directing an Early Childhood Music program suited to the needs of musically-minded, inquisitive young students, working under the guidance of our Head of Music.

Crowden Early Childhood Music classes serve approximately 10 students across three age groupings — 3-4 (with parents), 4-5, and 6-7 years old — with each class meeting for one 45-minute period per week. Classes currently run from 9:30am to 12:30pm on Saturdays, though the schedule may be adjusted for the right candidate, and additional classes may be added depending on demand and availability.

Working at Crowden

Our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music. We take our faculty seriously, and we want this to be a position you’re proud to hold.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $87/hour teaching time, $20/hour for faculty meetings and planning time
  • W2 employee — not a 1099 contractor
  • Health insurance for anyone working 20+ hours/week, effective the first of the month after you start
  • Paid sick leave — accrues from day one, usable starting on day 90
  • Lesson discounts for you or your family, if you teach 10+ hours/week
  • Administrative team — we handle billing, scheduling, and marketing so you can focus on music
  • The stage is yours — students perform 3–4 times a year in Hoffer Auditorium with a Meyer Sound system

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and TB test.

What You’ll Do

  • Create an inclusive, welcoming classroom environment where each student is celebrated.
  • Stay attuned to the specific learning needs and social-emotional development of each student.
  • Employ age-appropriate classroom management techniques.
  • Communicate effectively and warmly with students and parents.
  • Participate actively in department, grade-level, and faculty meetings as scheduled.
  • Supervise children during lunch and/or recess, as assigned.
  • Maintain professional standards of conduct, respect, and collegiality.
  • Take on other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

  • Excellent musicianship and artistry as an Early Childhood Music educator.
  • A bachelor’s degree in music education or a related field.
  • Certification in Kodály, Orff, or Dalcroze methods (preferred).
  • Experience working with young pre-K students, and a genuine passion for engaging with them in and outside the classroom.
  • Strong knowledge of developmentally-appropriate pedagogy and repertoire, grounded in the Kodály, Orff, or Dalcroze tradition.
  • Awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural diversity reflected in our student body and broader community.
  • A commitment to collaborating with colleagues to build and sustain school community.
  • Excellent communication skills and a commitment to keeping parents informed and engaged.
  • A sense of humor and a can-do attitude.

About Crowden Music Center

Crowden Music Center (crowden.org) is a nonprofit music school in Berkeley, California dedicated to building musical excellence and community through exceptional instruction. Our Community Education programs serve students of all ages, from our youngest early childhood music students to adult chamber music ensembles. Crowden is also home to Crowden School, a nationally recognized independent K-8 school where chamber music sits at the heart of academic life.

We are committed to making music education accessible and meaningful, and we welcome educators who share that commitment.

Cello Faculty

Open until filled · Part-Time · Berkeley, CA · In-Person

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org

Working at Crowden

Our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music. We take our faculty seriously, and we want this to be a position you’re proud to hold.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $64/hour teaching time, $20/hour for faculty meetings and planning time
  • W2 employee — not a 1099 contractor
  • Health insurance for anyone working 20+ hours/week, effective the first of the month after you start
  • Paid sick leave — accrues from day one, usable starting on day 90
  • Lesson discounts for you or your family, if you teach 10+ hours/week
  • Administrative team — we handle billing, scheduling, and marketing so you can focus on music
  • The stage is yours — students perform 3–4 times a year in Hoffer Auditorium with a Meyer Sound system

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and TB test.

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org and include your cover letter, resume/CV, and any recordings you’d like to share of your teaching or performing. 

What You’ll Do
  • Teach private Cello lessons to students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adult learners, in a one-on-one setting. Lesson hours are arranged based on your availability and student demand, primarily on weekday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Tailor each lesson to the student’s age, learning style, technical level, and musical goals — bringing genuine curiosity and adaptability to every session.
  • Select and sequence teaching materials thoughtfully, drawing from established methods and your own musical expertise.
  • Guide students in developing well-rounded musicianship: tone, technique, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive artistry.
  • Communicate proactively with Crowden’s Community Programs team and student families regarding scheduling, student progress, and any concerns.
  • Attend faculty meetings, studio recitals, and occasional school events as a member of our teaching community.
  • Help maintain a welcoming, focused, and safe learning environment for all students.
What You’ll Bring
  • Significant experience performing and teaching Cello at a high level; conservatory training or equivalent professional background preferred.
  • A track record of teaching students across a wide age range and spectrum of abilities — and genuine enthusiasm for the full range.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; you know how to connect with a curious six-year-old and a motivated adult returning to music.
  • Reliability, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit. We’re a close-knit faculty and community matters here.
  • Familiarity with Suzuki Method, Rolland-based technique, or comparable string pedagogy frameworks.
About Crowden Music Center

Crowden Music Center (crowden.org) is a nonprofit music school in Berkeley, California dedicated to fostering musical excellence and community through exceptional instruction. Our Community Education programs serve students of all ages, from our youngest Suzuki strings students to adult chamber music ensembles. Crowden is also home to Crowden School, a nationally recognized K-8 school where chamber music is at the heart of the academic program.

We are committed to making music education accessible, and we welcome faculty who share that commitment.

Violin/Viola Faculty

Open until filled · Part-Time · Berkeley, CA · In-Person

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org

Working at Crowden

Our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music. We take our faculty seriously, and we want this to be a position you’re proud to hold.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $64/hour teaching time, $20/hour for faculty meetings and planning time
  • W2 employee — not a 1099 contractor
  • Health insurance for anyone working 20+ hours/week, effective the first of the month after you start
  • Paid sick leave — accrues from day one, usable starting on day 90
  • Lesson discounts for you or your family, if you teach 10+ hours/week
  • Administrative team — we handle billing, scheduling, and marketing so you can focus on music
  • The stage is yours — students perform 3–4 times a year in Hoffer Auditorium with a Meyer Sound system

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and TB test.

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org and include your cover letter, resume/CV, and any recordings you’d like to share of your teaching or performing. 

What You’ll Do
  • Teach private Violin and/or Viola lessons to students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adult learners, in a one-on-one setting. Lesson hours are arranged based on your availability and student demand, primarily on weekday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Tailor each lesson to the student’s age, learning style, technical level, and musical goals — bringing genuine curiosity and adaptability to every session.
  • Select and sequence teaching materials thoughtfully, drawing from established methods and your own musical expertise.
  • Guide students in developing well-rounded musicianship: tone, technique, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive artistry.
  • Communicate proactively with Crowden’s Community Programs team and student families regarding scheduling, student progress, and any concerns.
  • Attend faculty meetings, studio recitals, and occasional school events as a member of our teaching community.
  • Help maintain a welcoming, focused, and safe learning environment for all students.
What You’ll Bring
  • Significant experience performing and teaching Violin & Viola at a high level; conservatory training or equivalent professional background preferred.
  • A track record of teaching students across a wide age range and spectrum of abilities — and genuine enthusiasm for the full range.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; you know how to connect with a curious six-year-old and a motivated adult returning to music.
  • Reliability, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit. We’re a close-knit faculty and community matters here.
  • Familiarity with a range of pedagogical approaches, including Suzuki method experience (a plus).
About Crowden Music Center

Crowden Music Center (crowden.org) is a nonprofit music school in Berkeley, California dedicated to fostering musical excellence and community through exceptional instruction. Our Community Education programs serve students of all ages, from our youngest Suzuki strings students to adult chamber music ensembles. Crowden is also home to Crowden School, a nationally recognized K-8 school where chamber music is at the heart of the academic program.

We are committed to making music education accessible, and we welcome faculty who share that commitment.

Piano Faculty

Open until filled · Part-Time · Berkeley, CA · In-Person

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org

Working at Crowden

Our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music. We take our faculty seriously, and we want this to be a position you’re proud to hold.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $64/hour teaching time, $20/hour for faculty meetings and planning time
  • W2 employee — not a 1099 contractor
  • Health insurance for anyone working 20+ hours/week, effective the first of the month after you start
  • Paid sick leave — accrues from day one, usable starting on day 90
  • Lesson discounts for you or your family, if you teach 10+ hours/week
  • Administrative team — we handle billing, scheduling, and marketing so you can focus on music
  • The stage is yours — students perform 3–4 times a year in Hoffer Auditorium with a Meyer Sound system

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and TB test.

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org and include your cover letter, resume/CV, and any recordings you’d like to share of your teaching or performing. 

What You’ll Do
  • Teach private Piano lessons to students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adult learners, in a one-on-one setting. Lesson hours are arranged based on your availability and student demand, primarily on weekday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Tailor each lesson to the student’s age, learning style, technical level, and musical goals — bringing genuine curiosity and adaptability to every session.
  • Select and sequence teaching materials thoughtfully, drawing from established methods and your own musical expertise.
  • Guide students in developing well-rounded musicianship: tone, technique, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive artistry.
  • Communicate proactively with Crowden’s Community Programs team and student families regarding scheduling, student progress, and any concerns.
  • Attend faculty meetings, studio recitals, and occasional school events as a member of our teaching community.
  • Help maintain a welcoming, focused, and safe learning environment for all students.
What You’ll Bring
  • Significant experience performing and teaching Piano at a high level; conservatory training or equivalent professional background preferred.
  • A track record of teaching students across a wide age range and spectrum of abilities — and genuine enthusiasm for the full range.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; you know how to connect with a curious six-year-old and a motivated adult returning to music.
  • Reliability, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit. We’re a close-knit faculty and community matters here.
  • Familiarity with established piano pedagogy methods (e.g., Suzuki, Faber, or comparable method-book curricula) and the ability to tailor technique and repertoire to a student’s developmental level.
About Crowden Music Center

Crowden Music Center (crowden.org) is a nonprofit music school in Berkeley, California dedicated to building musical excellence and community through exceptional instruction. Our Community Education programs serve students of all ages, from our youngest Suzuki strings students to adult chamber music ensembles. Crowden is also home to Crowden School, a nationally recognized K-8 school where chamber music is at the heart of the academic program.

We are committed to making music education accessible, and we welcome faculty who share that commitment.

Double Bass Faculty

Open until filled · Part-Time · Berkeley, CA · In-Person

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org

Working at Crowden

Our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music. We take our faculty seriously, and we want this to be a position you’re proud to hold.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $64/hour teaching time, $20/hour for faculty meetings and planning time
  • W2 employee — not a 1099 contractor
  • Health insurance for anyone working 20+ hours/week, effective the first of the month after you start
  • Paid sick leave — accrues from day one, usable starting on day 90
  • Lesson discounts for you or your family, if you teach 10+ hours/week
  • Administrative team — we handle billing, scheduling, and marketing so you can focus on music
  • The stage is yours — students perform 3–4 times a year in Hoffer Auditorium with a Meyer Sound system

Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a background check and TB test.

To apply, email us at careers@crowden.org and include your cover letter, resume/CV, and any recordings you’d like to share of your teaching or performing. 

What You’ll Do
  • Teach private Double Bass lessons to students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to adult learners, in a one-on-one setting. Lesson hours are arranged based on your availability and student demand, primarily on weekday afternoons, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Tailor each lesson to the student’s age, learning style, technical level, and musical goals — bringing genuine curiosity and adaptability to every session.
  • Select and sequence teaching materials thoughtfully, drawing from established methods and your own musical expertise.
  • Guide students in developing well-rounded musicianship: tone, technique, sight-reading, ear training, and expressive artistry.
  • Communicate proactively with Crowden’s Community Programs team and student families regarding scheduling, student progress, and any concerns.
  • Attend faculty meetings, studio recitals, and occasional school events as a member of our teaching community.
  • Help maintain a welcoming, focused, and safe learning environment for all students.
What You’ll Bring
  • Significant experience performing and teaching Double Bass at a high level; conservatory training or equivalent professional background preferred.
  • A track record of teaching students across a wide age range and spectrum of abilities — and genuine enthusiasm for the full range.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; you know how to connect with a curious six-year-old and a motivated adult returning to music.
  • Reliability, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit. We’re a close-knit faculty and community matters here.
  • Familiarity with a range of pedagogical approaches.
  • Experience with both orchestral and jazz/other styles is a plus.
About Crowden Music Center

Crowden Music Center (crowden.org) is a nonprofit music school in Berkeley, California dedicated to building musical excellence and community through exceptional instruction. Our Community Education programs serve students of all ages, from our youngest Suzuki strings students to adult chamber music ensembles. Crowden is also home to Crowden School, a nationally recognized K-8 school where chamber music is at the heart of the academic program.

We are committed to making music education accessible, and we welcome faculty who share that commitment.

Who We Are

Crowden Music Center is a beloved North Berkeley institution — a place where music isn’t an extracurricular activity, it’s a way of life. We offer rigorous and joyful music education to students of all ages and backgrounds, from curious toddlers to dedicated adult musicians, bringing hundreds of students through our doors each year for private lessons, chamber music, group classes, and more. Students and community members from across the Greater Bay Area and beyond attend our classes, concerts, and events.

We believe that learning music changes people — not just as performers, but as listeners, collaborators, and community members. Chamber music is central to how we teach, helping students become more expansive learners both in and beyond music. Our faculty reflect this same spirit: not interchangeable instructors, but accomplished, creative musicians who bring their full selves to every lesson. We’re always glad to hear from like-minded people who want to join our team.

Founded in 1983 by Scottish violinist Anne Crowden, our campus is the historic Jefferson School building at 1475 Rose St. in North Berkeley — a professional, focused space dedicated to teaching, learning, and performance. Crowden is a home for all to explore, rehearse, perform, and listen to music.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Crowden is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive community of students, parents, faculty and staff, and supporters, celebrating our many differences and uniting in our shared love of music of all kinds and origins. Crowden does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.