Assistant Professor of Practice - Musical Theatre Vocal

Position: Assistant Professor of Practice - Musical Theatre Vocal Performance - 182753
Location: Cullowhee

Assistant Professor of Practice - Musical Theatre Vocal Performance - 182753

Western Carolina University

Department: School of Stage & Screen

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.

Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The Musical Theatre BFA program at The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University seeks an energetic, vibrant, and engaging voice instructor to join our Nationally Accredited Musical Theatre BFA program. We seek individuals with a willingness to learn, a desire to be at the forefront of Musical Theatre Pedagogy Innovation, and the desire to make the next generation of Musical Theatre performers leaders in their industry.
This is a full-time, 9-month, fixed-term position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice that teaches on a 4/4 adjusted load to account for voice lesson demands. Anticipated start date is August 2025.
Our Musical Theatre Community embraces our core values of Authentic Curiosity, Daring Experimentation, Joyful Contribution, and Radical Critical Thought.

Responsibilities may include:
1. Teaching voice lessons to 20-30 BFA Musical Theatre students. The Musical Theatre Degree Track has approximately 30 - 50 BFA Musical Theatre students across cohorts.
2. Planning, developing, coordinating, teaching, and participating in weekly Voice Studio.
3. Coordinating with Adjunct Voice Instructors to ensure continuity across studios.
4. Scheduling BFA Musical Theatre student voice lessons and accompaniment sessions.
5. Serving as an academic advisor for BFA Musical Theatre students.
6. Collaborating with SaS colleagues to innovate, refine, and develop Musical Theatre Pedagogical Practices.
7. Volunteering as an active part of recruitment, including auditions, festivals, and outreach activities.
8. Taking part in planning and organizing enrichment activities such as visiting artists, master classes, vocal competitions, recording sessions, etc.
9. Other duties as assigned.
The School of Stage and Screen at WCU houses approximately 180 students across five degree tracks, and a dance minor. SAS offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology, a BA in Stage and Screen, and a BFA in Film and Television production. We house a robust experiential curriculum that centers the shared values of storytelling across all degree tracks.

We value all voices, all stories, and all perspectives. Our Main Stage season includes two musicals, two straight plays, a five episode web series, and a film festival featuring 10-15 of our student films produced every year. SAS is a highly resourced NAST accredited program. Our alumni and faculty can be found telling stories on screen and on the stage across the country.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: MFA in Musical Theatre or MFA/MM in Vocal Performance.

Preferred Qualifications: DMA/PhD in Music…