Posted: 06-Feb-26
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $78,840 to $127,890
Categories:
Sonoma Academy
Music Teacher
Full Time, Exempt, 10 month
Overview of School:
Sonoma Academy is an independent high school located in Santa Rosa, CA on a 34-acre campus, surrounded by 1,000 acres of protected open space, at the base of Taylor Mountain. Founded in 2001, it provides an engaging, challenging, and innovative college preparatory education and a supportive community for motivated learners from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino counties.
Our Mission: Sonoma Academy calls its students to be creative, ethical, and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.
Sonoma Academy’s Commitment to Diversity: We believe that learning occurs best in a connected community. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to an education in which all members of our community thrive. We are committed to cultivating a diverse community that is conscious and welcoming of difference, dedicated to investigating and advancing equity, and engages with our local and global community. If you would like to join us in our work, we would welcome your application. As we are deeply committed to having a staffulty (staff and faculty) and student body which reflects the rich diversity within the North Bay, we strongly encourage candidates from BIPOC and/or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented to apply.
For more information on programs and philosophy, please visit our website: www.sonomaacademy.org.
Position Overview:
This Music Teacher role is focused on conducting the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Chamber Orchestra, teaching introductory courses in music such as music theory, vocal production, songwriting, and music history, and participating in theater productions. Concerts, smaller recitals, and community meeting performances occur regularly throughout the year.
Key Responsibilities:
The Music Teacher will lead Sonoma Academy’s vibrant music program by holding the vision for its development and guiding a team of music educators. They will teach up to six music-related academic courses annually (2-3/semester), which may include offerings such as History of American Music, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Advanced Musicianship, and Music Theory. Additional responsibilities include directing the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Chamber Orchestra; teaching one Intersession course; and providing vocal and/or instrumental support for school musicals in collaboration with the theater department. The teacher will also manage the music department budget, maintain the instrument inventory, lead the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter, support students in competitions, and advise on independent music projects. Regular participation in departmental meetings and school performances, including concerts and community gatherings, is an integral part of the role.
Core Requirements:
- BA in a Music-related academic field
- Minimum three years of experience teaching grades 9-12 (Music) or equivalent experience in a related field
- Experience teaching instrumental or choral music
- Experience and enthusiasm for working within a diverse community and a commitment to creating inclusive programming and activities; actively supports adolescent growth and well-being
Preferred Education and Experiences:
- Experience working in a private, independent school
- Advanced degree (MA, PhD, or equivalent) in a Music-related academic field
- Piano keyboard skills
- Experience in working with the latest music technology in their field, such as Notation software.
Compensation:
- Sonoma Academy has a multi-step salary scale in place for faculty members that includes differentials for advanced degrees and annual guaranteed step increases. The starting salary will range from $78,840 to $127,890. The school will evaluate the faculty member's relevant experience upon hiring.
Perks of working at SA:
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance for employees with several plan options to meet individuals’ specific needs
- Generous retirement plan contribution
- Commitment to professional development, including generously- funded training opportunities and a dedicated “exploratory fund” of $450 annually for learning opportunities unrelated to work
- Healthy and nutritious lunch service offered at no cost to employees during the school year (when on campus and our kitchen operational)
- A professional work environment defined by teamwork, collegiality, trust, agility, and altruism
Work Environment:
- This position operates in a professional office environment at a private, independent high school.
- This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work.
Sonoma Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Sonoma Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.