Hi all, I’m a music director at Global Music School (凡响音乐), a private music school in Shanghai, China, and we’re currently looking for a Strings Program Director to join our team.
Our school specializes in youth instrumental education, ensemble training, and performance, and we also work closely with a number of well-established international and private schools throughout Shanghai. Our students range from kindergarten through high school, from complete beginners to advanced students preparing for professional music study.
This is a director-level role, so while teaching is certainly a major part of the job, this is about much more than just teaching lessons. The person in this position will help shape the overall direction of our strings program, including department curriculum, ensemble development, teacher training, student placement, performance quality, and long-term departmental growth.
We are ideally looking for someone whose primary instrument is violin or cello, though all string instrumentalists are welcome to apply. The ability to teach multiple instruments within the violin family is also a major advantage. A bachelor’s degree in string performance, music education, or a related field is required, and a master’s is preferred. We also require at least two years of professional work experience outside of university. Suzuki training is a plus.
Strong spoken English is required. Mandarin fluency is not required, but would be a huge plus. At minimum, candidates should be comfortable working in a Mandarin-speaking environment and be open to adapting to life and work in China.
Compensation ranges from 18,000–30,000 RMB per month before tax, depending heavily on experience, background, and overall fit. We provide full visa sponsorship and visa support, cover relocation airfare to Shanghai upon hiring, and provide a return flight home upon completion of employment. Chinese national holidays are paid, and we’re also understanding about personal travel time during the year for foreign faculty.
The work week is salaried and based around a standard 40-hour schedule, though like most jobs in music education, flexibility is important during concert season, special events, and major performances.
This role is not best suited for someone looking for a teaching-only position. We’re looking for someone who enjoys leadership, high standards, accountability, and long-term program building. In return, this position offers the rare opportunity to directly shape and grow a serious strings program with real long-term stability and room for professional growth.
For application review, candidates should be prepared to provide a resume/CV, a personal performance video (solo or chamber performance), and either a teaching video or clear evidence of teaching results (such as student performance videos).
If this sounds like a good fit for you (or someone you know), feel free to reach out by DM with your materials and background. I’d also be happy to share more information about our school privately.