Overview

Position: Suzuki Early Childhood Education Instructor

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Position Description

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) seeks a Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) instructor to join our world-class SECE teaching faculty. We are hiring immediately for a Thursday morning class, with the possibility of additional classes and schedule expansion in the future.

BKCM Suzuki comprises 260+ students across seven instruments, with an additional 50+ students in our Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes. SECE serves as a welcoming entry point to our Suzuki community for children ages prenatal–3k and their families.

Salary

The base pay rate in 2025–26 is $62.50/hour for group classes and $40/hour for meetings and prep time.

About the BKCM Suzuki Program

BKCM is located in beautiful Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we have a committed community of supportive and involved Suzuki parents and caregivers.

In SECE classes, children and caregivers engage in 25–30 short songs, rhymes, and movement-based activities each week. These activities gently develop social-emotional, motor, language, number, pitch, and listening skills. Children sing, move with scarves to the pulse, play percussion instruments, take turns, enact song lyrics, and hear live instrumental performances by teachers. Families are encouraged to download and listen to class songs at home to reinforce learning.

Pregnant mothers and their partners are welcome as visitors free of charge.

Our Suzuki Bridges class, for ages pre-k and kindergarten, takes students on the next leg of their journey so they are ready for direct instruction in our instrumental program.

Expectations and Scope of Work

  • Teach one 60-minute SECE class weekly on Thursday mornings with the expectation of two in the spring.
  • Arrive early and stay late to assist your co-teacher in materials and space setup and breakdown.
  • Collaborate and communicate with your SECE co-teacher.
  • Plan and prepare curricula and materials for classes.
  • Communicate regularly with families about at-home listening and participation.
  • Collaborate with Suzuki faculty and administration to maintain continuity between SECE and the broader Suzuki program.
  • Attend paid SECE faculty meetings.
  • Use flexibility and creativity when working with different types of learners.
  • Submit timesheet data every week.
  • Maintain timely communication with administration, faculty, and families.
  • Offer reasonable support to families in your studio both in and outside of class time.
  • Ability to collaborate with colleagues and communicate effectively with parents.
  • Support BKCM’s values of community, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Qualifications

  • Completion of at least SECE Unit 1 registered training with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
  • Active membership in the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
  • Candidates should have a Bachelor of Music degree or similar.
  • Strategies, SPA, and Practicum courses a plus.
  • All candidates must possess a love of teaching children and a warmth and understanding of all children and families.