Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola - Music, Theatre, and Dance

Summary: The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola position to begin Fall 2027. Applicants are expected to have a graduate degree in violin and/or viola performance. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Salary/Benefits: $69,397; commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Required Qualifications and Education:

• High level of artistry on violin and viola.
• Graduate degree in violin and/or viola performance.
• Demonstrated potential to recruit violin and viola students.
• Potential for successful college-level teaching and ongoing creative activity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and cultural humility.

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Completed DMA in violin and/or viola performance.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting and teaching a collegiate violin and/or viola studio.

Responsibilities:

Tenure-track faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are typically hired on nine-month contracts, with a nine-credit hour teaching load per semester. They are also expected to engage in scholarly/creative activity, service, and a significant focus, which is equivalent to three credit hours of additional responsibilities in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and/or service depending on the successful candidate's interests and the department’s needs. Primary duties will include the teaching and mentoring of university level violin and viola students with additional teaching in the core music curriculum as assigned. The teaching assignment will be dependent upon the successful candidate’s qualifications and interests, and the needs of the department.

Department: The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance provides an intensive performing arts education within a liberal education. Our six-degree programs are offered by 34 full-time faculty with over 150 performances by faculty, guest artists, and students each year. The department is located on the Valley Campus in the Haas Center for the Performing Arts.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest and most intellectually diverse college at Grand Valley State University, offering over 50 bachelor’s degree programs, badges, and certificates spanning the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan. GVSU has multiple campuses—the Valley Campus in Allendale, Michigan; the City Campus located in downtown Grand Rapids, which includes the Robert C. Pew and Health campuses; and several regional centers. The University attracts undergraduate and graduate students with its high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovation. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of more than one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. GVSU is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information on Community Resources can be found on the Community Resources page of the GVSU Human Resources website.

How To Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. To be considered for the position, applicants must upload the following items to the online application:

• A cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications and your motivation to teach at GVSU.
• Curriculum vitae which includes contact information for three professional references.
• Teaching philosophy that includes examples of the candidate’s past successful student recruitment activities.
• Graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts issued to students are acceptable).
• A one-page document with YouTube links to a 20-minute performance video and a 20-minute private violin and/or viola lesson or masterclass, both recorded within the past three years.

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically to the same file location. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, email Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu. Questions about the position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair: Joel Schut (schutjo@gvsu.edu).

Application Deadline: Consideration of applicants will begin on October 15, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.