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Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera

Appalachian State University
United States, North Carolina, Boone
287 Rivers Street (Show on map)
Jan 28, 2026
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Position Title Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera
Tenure Status Tenure Track
Provide Rank Assistant Professor
Position Number 047901
VISA Sponsorship? VISA sponsorship is available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Department School Of Music - 270000
Working Location (City, State) Boone, NC
Position Summary Information








Minimum Qualifications
The candidate must hold a doctoral degree in vocal performance,
vocal pedagogy, or related field ( DMA or DM). Candidates who are
ABD will be considered, and all degree requirements must be
completed by July 31, 2026.

The successful candidate will show evidence of experience in directing and
managing opera/musical productions at the community, collegiate,
or professional level. The candidate must also show evidence of at
least two years experience of teaching applied voice in both
classical and musical theatre styles of singing at the collegiate
level, and evidence of accomplishment on stage as a professional
singer and/or director.
Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)
The Hayes School of Music seeks candidates who possess
experience with managing budgets, collaborating with production
managers, overseeing set design and construction, with evidence
of, or an innovative plan for, recruitment strategies.
License/Certification Required
N/A
Description of the Department or Unit
The Hayes School of Music is home to more than 420 students and 60
full-time faculty members. It offers undergraduate degrees in music
education, music therapy, music industry studies, and music
performance, with concentrations in instrumental or vocal performance,
music theory/composition, jazz, and sacred music. Graduate programs
are offered in music therapy and music performance, with
concentrations in instrumental or vocal performance, collaborative
piano, music composition, and conducting. Supported by the Hayes
Endowment for Musical Excellence, the school is part of Appalachian
State University, an accredited member of the National Association of
Schools of Music.

Dedicated to preparing musicians for professional careers, the Hayes
School of Music cultivates performers, composers, educators,
therapists, conductors, scholars, and music industry professionals who
will shape the future of musical leadership at the state, regional, and
national levels. The school is committed to equipping graduates to
thrive in a rapidly evolving musical landscape and in an inclusive,
innovative, and multicultural world.

The Erneston Music Library, located in the Broyhill Music Center,
supports the curriculum of both the Hayes School of Music and the
University. Alongside books, scores, and recordings, the Special
Collections Research Center in Belk Library houses an expanding
collection of rare books and manuscript materials related to classical
music. Highlights include the scores of conductor Hans Schwieger, the
original manuscripts of composer Tui St. George Tucker, and the
Matanya Ophee Collection - one of the world's largest collections of
19th-century guitar music.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Appalachian State University Hayes School of Music invites
applications for a tenure-track position, Assistant Professor of Voice
and Opera, with appointment starting fall 2026.

The voice area in the Hayes School of Music is a vital resource to the
School and the community. We seek a dynamic stage director and
applied voice instructor who demonstrates a commitment to enriching
our performance community with an appreciation and understanding of
a broad range of operatic and musical styles, vocal literature, as well as
pedagogy and performance practices. This includes the programming
and teaching of diverse repertoire and that of historically
underrepresented composers.

Responsibilities:


  • Opera Direction: Direct the Appalachian Opera Theatre and
    Opera Workshop. Duties will include casting and directing one
    fully-staged production with orchestra in collaboration with the
    Appalachian Symphony Orchestra director and one scenes
    performance with piano each year in alternating semesters.

  • Production Management: Manage aspects of production
    including scheduling auditions, rehearsals, coordinating and
    overseeing production elements (sets, costumes, venue
    contracts, and lighting, hiring and collaborating with production
    staff, and managing budgets).

  • Collaboration: Collaborate with the voice area, graduate
    assistants, other music faculty members, and academic units to
    promote interdisciplinary learning opportunities among the
    students and the broader community. Work alongside the
    Appalachian Symphony Orchestra Director to select a show
    each year.

  • Applied Voice Instruction: Teach applied voice to
    undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in the
    Hayes School of Music. Prepare students for degree recitals,
    roles in operatic and musical theatre productions, and additional
    performance opportunities. Lead weekly studio class.

  • Recruitment: Collaborate with colleagues in outreach and
    recruitment efforts within the state and across the region.


The Hayes School of Music maintains a closely-knit community of
engaged learners and performers (faculty, staff, and students), who
seek to provide a mutually supportive environment to nurture musicians
pursuing professions in music education, performance, music therapy,
and music industry studies at the undergraduate level and performance
and music therapy at the masters level.

The Hayes School of Music is interested in candidates who have a
demonstrated commitment or the potential to provide leadership in
teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and service that builds an equitable
and diverse academic environment. The successful candidate will be
expected to participate fully in the responsibilities of faculty
membership, including prospective student and ensemble auditions,
student mentoring, curriculum development and assessment, service
activities, meeting attendance, timely communications, advising, and
recruitment.

In the Hayes School of Music, full-time tenure eligible or tenured faculty
members are expected to teach 24 full-time equivalent hours (FTEs)
per academic year. A faculty member may request up to 6 FTEs
annually for extensive scholarly or creative activity. Additional teaching
and non-teaching duties will be assigned as needed in the voice area
and Hayes School of Music.
Type of Position Full Time Position
Appointment Type 1.0
Number Of Months Per Year 9
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform
each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform
essential job functions.
Posting Details Information












Proposed Date of Hire 08/10/2026
Suggested Salary Range Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
ABD Consideration: ABD with reduction in rank and salary (see desc. below)
ABD Description
ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate's salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For a complete application, please apply and submit all below- required
documents electronically through Appalachian State University's job board:

  • Cover letter/letter of interest addressing the position requirements, qualifications, and experience
  • Curriculum vitae
  • A list of five (minimum) professional references including contact information (email and phone)
  • A 1-2 page Vision Statement regarding the role of Opera and Musical Theatre in the Hayes School of Music, the University, and the local and regional community. Please address how you would grow and elevate the program.
  • A PDF file with links to 15-minute video examples of each of the following (totaling no more than 45 minutes of content): solo voice performances, applied voice teaching, and opera productions and/or scenes programs within the past five years for which you were the stage director. Please do not send physical media or attach individual files for download, as the
    committee requires all video samples to be hosted on a media server for on-demand streaming (e.g.YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)


Please note that this position is based on enrollment and subject to available funding.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires
The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.
Posting Date 01/28/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Evaluation of Applications Begins 03/02/2026
Search Chair Name Dr. Kellie Hill
Search Chair Email motterka@appstate.edu
Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/53017
Posting Number FA00556P
Applied = 0

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