Carlthorp School seeks a warm, outgoing, and organized music and performing arts teacher to join our team and school community. Carlthorp School is a co-educational elementary school in Santa Monica, CA, serving approximately 280 students in grades K-6. At its core, Carlthorp School provides a strong academic foundation in a diverse and nurturing school community that emphasizes respectful values, responsible work habits, and excellence in order to prepare our students to achieve their highest potential in education and life.

Job Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Music & Performing Arts Instructor who thrives in working with children and is committed to fostering a joyful, inclusive, and engaging learning environment. This educator will co-teach a comprehensive K-6 music program while also co-directing and co-managing our performing arts offerings after school, including theater and grade-level productions.

The ideal candidate brings strong musical expertise, a love of performance, and the ability to cultivate creativity, confidence, and collaboration in students. This role requires excellent communication skills, thoughtful planning, and a deep understanding of child development and instructional best practices.

Music & Performing Arts Program Focus

• Create a joyful, inclusive program that builds skills in rhythm, pitch, movement, and music literacy
• Foster creativity through composition, improvisation, and student voice
• Integrate diverse musical genres, cultures, and performance experiences
• Use music and movement to support collaboration, confidence, and whole-child development
• Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with foundational elementary music approaches, including Orff Schulwerk and Kodály, with the ability to integrate instruments (e.g., xylophones, metallophones, percussion) and vocal-based instruction into a cohesive, developmentally appropriate program. 
• Build students’ musical literacy through movement, rhythm, solfège, and ensemble-based learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Elementary Education, Performing Arts, or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience teaching general music and/or performing arts
• Experience working with students in grades K-6
• Experience directing or supporting theater productions preferred

Relevant Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to create and manage a positive, inclusive classroom environment grounded in social-emotional learning
• Experience designing and implementing an integrated, inquiry-based curriculum
• Commitment to differentiated instruction and supporting diverse learners
• Proficiency in teaching foundational music skills (e.g., violin, xylophone, recorder, piano)
• Ability to lead elementary instrumental, choral, and performance-based programs
• Strong organizational and leadership skills to manage rehearsals and productions

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teach K-6 music classes, including curriculum design, lesson planning, and assessment
• Foster a joyful and engaging learning environment that encourages creativity and exploration
• Lead and develop the school’s choral program
• Organize and direct musical performances throughout the year
• Collaborate closely with colleagues, including co-teachers and the broader arts team

Performing Arts & Theater Program Leadership:

• Oversee and manage the after-school theater program
• Direct a fall play (November/December) and a spring musical (April)
• Lead weekly after-school rehearsals in preparation for performances
• Coordinate all aspects of productions, including staging, blocking, props, costumes, and technical elements
• Facilitate a full “tech week” leading up to each performance

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in curriculum development, committees, and school initiatives
• Attend faculty meetings, school events, and performances (including occasional evenings/weekends)
• Engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice
• Complete administrative tasks related to teaching and program management
• Support music instruction during Kindergarten admissions assessment days (4 Saturdays December - February)

Compensation & Schedule

• Salary: $80,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience
• This is a 10-month position
• Evening and weekend hours are required during performance and production periods

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter in PDF form to resume@carlthorp.org.

About Carlthorp School

Welcome to Carlthorp School! From our all-school morning assembly to our rich and varied after-school offerings, Carlthorp School reaches out to its extended family in a thoughtful and meaningful way every day. Dedicated to the academic, social, and emotional growth of children, our highly qualified faculty and staff create a nurturing environment that inspires children to become life-long learners. Rigorous academics, including foreign language, are balanced with music, art, drama, service learning, and physical education. Accelerated classes challenge the gifted, and specialists make learning fun for everyone. Traditionally academic in approach within a warm and secure setting, Carlthorp School’s philosophy stresses our Code of Conduct and the cohesiveness of all constituents of the School’s family. Students live by the “Code,” which becomes a permanent part of their being. All children strive to do their personal best, inside school and out. Carlthorp School graduates are prepared to face the rigors of secondary school and the challenges of life. Not only are they talented critical thinkers and speakers, they are also good citizens who are responsible, respectful, and kind.

Connections working at Carlthorp School