What are the responsibilities and job description for the EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC THERAPY INSTRUCTOR position at BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC?
REPORTS TO: Patricia Onorato, Early Childhood Manager
STATUS: Hourly
Start Date: February 2025
ABOUT BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Bloomingdale School of Music is a nonprofit community music school located on Manhattan's Upper
West Side and serving over 650 students from all over greater New York City. The school has an
extraordinary faculty, an innovative program, and a fifty-year record of providing access to high quality
music instruction in private lessons, classes, and school partnerships. Bloomingdale is at an exciting time
in its history, focused on strengthening the program within the school and proactively building
relationships and connections in the community we serve. The school is housed in a five-story
brownstone at 323 West 108th Street, between Broadway and Riverside Drive. The facility has 14
teaching studios, multiple staff offices, and a newly renovated recital hall and outdoor patio featured on
George to the Rescue in Spring 2020. More information may be found at the school's website
www.bsmny.org.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Bloomingdale School of Music is seeking a passionate and skilled Early Childhood Music Therapist to join
our vibrant team. The ideal candidate will use music therapy techniques to support the emotional, social,
and cognitive development of young children through music. This role will involve working with children
ages 2-3 yrs, in both individual and group settings, to enhance their developmental milestones, foster
self-expression, and promote social skills through therapeutic music interventions.
The Early Childhood Music Therapist will collaborate closely with our early childhood education team to
provide a nurturing and creative environment that supports the musical, emotional, and developmental
needs of young children and their families.
- Music Therapy
- Provide Individual and Group Music Therapy Sessions: Design and lead developmentally
social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
- Assess Individual Needs: Conduct assessments to evaluate children's developmental
and communicative needs.
- Collaborate with Parents and Caregivers: Regularly communicate with parents and
music-based therapy strategies at home.
- Support Classroom and Group Music Experiences: Work closely with early childhood
create a nurturing and developmentally supportive learning environment.
- Create and Adapt Music Resources: Develop and adapt music resources (e.g., songs,
developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
- Contribute to the Bi-monthly BSM Early Childhood newsletter to update parents on
- Participate in Professional Development: Stay up-to-date with current music therapy
workshops, and conferences to enhance professional skills.
- Teaching
- Select appropriate repertoire and teaching materials for students.
- Provide constructive feedback and report regularly on progress to students and parents.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, including attendance.
- Availability to maintain a consistent teaching schedule.
- Availability to be present at community concerts, recitals, and events as needed.
- Participate in faculty meetings and professional development opportunities.
- Communication
- Send regular updates to school aged students’ families or directly to adult students with
progress notes, at-home assignments and any other important information necessary to
foster a positive learning environment.
- Submit attendance in a timely manner using Bloomingdale’s Attendance System (ASAP).
- Respond to Registration requests regarding trial lessons and student inquiries in a timely
fashion.
- Ambassador
- Recruit new students when possible to Bloomingdale - both for your own classroom and
- Encourage outside students to engage with Bloomingdale’s free events, sign up for
- Support Bloomingdale students to serve as ambassadors for the school through outside
performance opportunities, in house fundraising events and through attending concerts
regularly.
Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music Therapy or a related field.
- Certification: Board Certification in Music Therapy (MT-BC) is required.
- Experience: At least one year of experience working with young children (ages 0-5) in a
- Musical Proficiency: Strong musical skills, including proficiency in at least one instrument (e.g.,
piano, guitar, or voice). Knowledge of music theory and the ability to create and adapt music for
therapeutic purposes.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build
- Empathy & Patience: A compassionate, patient, and flexible approach to working with young
- Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to think creatively and adapt therapeutic methods based on
- CPR & First Aid: Current certification in CPR and First Aid (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
- Hiring preference will be given to a candidate who demonstrates an understanding of our mission
and who is enthusiastic about working closely with students of all levels.
Preferred Skills & Qualities:
Experience with specific populations (e.g., children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental
- Familiarity with other therapeutic modalities or early childhood education strategies.
- Bilingual abilities (Spanish, Mandarin, or other languages) a plus.
HOURS
Required Teaching Day: Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 (classroom setup and breakdown included)
Optional Teaching Day: Additional teaching days available as needed
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary
- Private lessons starting rate: $45/hr with annual increases according to BSM’s pay scale
- Group classes / Ensembles: $60/hr
- Early Childhood Classes: $90/hour
- Benefits include paid faculty concerts, professional development opportunities, tax-exempt
- The position is eligible for accrued safe/sick time, floating/flex time, and pre-tax retirement after
To apply, please click HERE.
Bloomingdale School of Music is an EOE institution/employer that is deeply committed to diversity and
inclusion. BSM does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or
the provision of services and is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. If you
require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise
participating in the employee selection process, please let us know at hr@bsmny.org.
Salary : $45