Position Summary: The University of Maryland School of Music seeks a dynamic and dedicated musician, educator, and leader to serve as the Director of Jazz Studies starting in the 2026–2027 academic year. The candidate should have a record of national and/or international accomplishments and the broad range of skills necessary to mentor students in the creation and performance of jazz music.
-developing and supervising the undergraduate and graduate degree programs and curricula;
-coordinating teaching assignments of full-time and adjunct faculty and graduate assistants.
Minimum Qualifications: Advanced degree in jazz performance or closely related field, or extensive professional national and/or international profile of performance in jazz. Leadership experience and skills necessary to lead a collegiate jazz studies program. Demonstrated pedagogical success.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience teaching jazz at the collegiate level, and a doctoral degree in jazz or closely related field are preferred.
Responsibilities: Teaching responsibilities include: leading the UMD Jazz Ensemble(s), coaching and mentoring the Fellowship Graduate Combo, and advising undergraduate and graduate students in the Jazz program. Responsibilities may also include applied teaching, improvisation, music business, courses on the culture and/or history of jazz, jazz theory, jazz arranging and/or composition.
The Director of Jazz Studies will also serve on School of Music, College of Arts and Humanities, and University committees as assigned or elected; participate on recital and dissertation examination committees as appropriate; recruit diverse graduate and undergraduate students; maintain an active and visible performance profile at the local, national, and international level; build professional relationships with regional and national jazz institutions; promote engagement with the immediate community surrounding the University and throughout the State of Maryland, and contribute to a positive learning environment.
We seek candidates whose research, teaching, and service have prepared them to contribute to all of the pillars of the ARHU Strategic Plan: Transformative Thinking; Boundless Creativity; Expansive Empathy; and Meaningful Futures. Contributions toward those goals and values might include leadership in teaching, mentoring, research, or service towards building an equitable and inclusive scholarly environment and/or increasing access or participation of all individuals equitably and fairly.
Required Application Materials: Candidates should include (a) a cover letter (b) a CV, (c) names, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 references. Candidates may be asked to send additional materials, including videos, at a later date.
School of Music: The University of Maryland School of Music is a comprehensive arts institution housed in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art complex with six performance venues, classrooms, and the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. The School of Music offers B.A., B.M., M.A., M.M., Ph.D., and D.M.A degrees. Located within minutes of the Nation’s Capital, the University is linked by mass transit to the homes of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the major military service bands. Celebrated performance venues include the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Museums, the National Gallery, and the Corcoran and Kreeger Museums. World-class research facilities near the campus include the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution (which also houses Smithsonian Folkways Records), the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the National Archives and the National Archives II. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the university. Links: music.umd.edu; theclarice.umd.edu; arts.umd.edu
About the Campus: Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world. The University of Maryland actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.
Funding Statement: This search is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Best Consideration Date: December 14, 2025
Posting Close Date: NA
Open Until Filled: Yes
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.