Associate Professor of Practice, Popular Music - Voice

The USC Thornton School of Music invites applicants for a full-time, non-tenure-track position in the Popular Music Program, housed within the Division of Contemporary Music, at the rank of Associate Professor of Practice (Voice).

This appointment begins on August 16, 2025.

Founded in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music is currently celebrating its 140th year. Over the course of those fourteen decades, the Thornton School has prepared students for exceptional careers and a life in music as culture-defining performers, composers, producers, industry executives, entrepreneurs and leaders, researchers, educators and beyond.

USC Thornton is the oldest continually operating cultural institution in the vibrant music and culture capital Los Angeles, and is internationally recognized as one of the finest conservatories and music schools in the U.

S. Led by the Dean, Dr. Jason King, who joined Thornton in 2023, the school blends the rigors of a traditional conservatory-style education with the benefits of a leading research university.

USC Thornton offers students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding, innovative curriculum, and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown across a wide range of musical genres and idioms.

Students are encouraged to develop multiple musical and creative competencies in keeping with the past, present and future of de-categorized’ music that transcends borders, boundaries, and limitations.

Duties

We are seeking a Vocal Instructor / Producer with extensive industry experience (either as a current or former performer) who is comfortable teaching students at all levels, from beginning to advanced.

The ideal candidate should have a deep understanding of the aesthetic and pedagogical differences between Musical Theater, Bel Canto, and popular music singing styles, and be able to effectively communicate those distinctions to students.

We are searching for an instructor who will provide students with the necessary tools to emerge as world-class performers who can redefine singing in the twenty-first century.

The successful candidate may teach individual instruction for voice as well as assorted ensemble coachings. The candidate is expected to engage in service to the Pop program and their profession, to be productive as an artist / scholar, and to promote an inclusive workplace and learning environment.

The candidate will also participate in faculty recruitment, student admissions, individual mentoring of student capstone projects, curriculum development, and demonstrate a robust involvement in departmental governance.

Minimum Qualifications

Proven ability to teach pop voice effectively, through troubleshooting vocal concerns.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with an advanced degree in Voice / Vocal Pedagogy, or candidates with equivalent professional experience, are highly encouraged to apply.

Intermediate-to-advanced piano skills are highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will be expected to have a demonstrated record of experience and accomplishment working in a highly diverse environment and of promoting equity and inclusion in the work that they do and in their approach to the profession.

The successful candidate will have an established or strongly emerging career whose work broadens and challenges the field, and who may build connections between disparate musical communities.

Additionally, we value candidates who have considerable experience and interest in teaching in a university setting and possess the ability to attract students of the highest caliber in recruitment efforts.

Compensation

The annual base salary hiring range for this nine-month position of Associate Professor of Practice at Thornton is $90,000 to $105,000.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education / training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system at www.usc.edu / jobs , and are asked to provide a Cover Letter, CV, Teaching Statement, and a list of references (minimum of three).

Individuals listed may be solicited for reference letters.

Please do not send other materials; additional materials may be requested at a later date. Materials will not be returned.

Review of applications will begin on December 9, 2024.

The University of Southern California is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed, and background.