About SoM

Founded in 2002 as an outreach project by Sarah McLachlan, The Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) is a registered charity serving over 1,100 students per year in Vancouver, New Westminster and Edmonton. More details about the school and program can be found at https://www.sarahschoolofmusic.com/

SoM’s Vision

Transforming lives through the power of music.

SoM’s Purpose

Building inclusive and barrier-free communities of musical learning where children and youth find their voice.

SoM’s Values

- Acceptance Care Collaboration Commitment Curiosity Flexibility Innovation Social Responsibility

About the role

We are looking for multidisciplinary Auxiliary Teaching Artists to join our team in delivering programming out of our location at Douglas College in New Westminster. The Auxiliary Teaching Artist is a substitute music teaching resource that is utilized on an on-call basis.

The Teaching Artist is a valued member of SoM's teaching faculty that reports to the Program Team. This instructional position plays a key role ensuring that SoM’s mission, values and community building objectives are met; that unique student interest and learning is engaged and supported through clear, transparent communication, and encouragement of creative collaboration. The Teaching Artist works with fellow colleagues to facilitate SoM’s learning environment, contributing perspective and resources that impact student experience. The position plays an integral role in implementing SoM’s program vision.

The ideal candidate for this position is able to confidently work in an ensemble setting. While not being required to proficiently play all instruments that make up a typical band, SoM’s expectation is that the ideal candidate will be able to effectively lead the collective efforts of a band in a classroom setting, guiding general musicality on all instruments. In addition to holding a strong musical skill set, SoM is seeking a Teaching Artist who is genuinely passionate about student-based learning, bringing experience working with, advocating for and leading youth.

This is an onsite position, requiring presence at SoM's New Westminster (located at Douglas College) location when called in to work. A typical SoM shift is from 2:45PM to 7:45PM from Monday to Thursday.

This is an on-call position, paid hourly. Upon being hired there will be paid training and shadow shifts, following which you will be called on an as needed basis.





The hourly compensation range for this position is $37.14 to $42.45CAD per hour.

In this round of hiring we are looking specifically for Teaching Artists with specializations in the following areas.

- Guitar and rock band style ensembles

Ready to get started….?

Your days will be filled with…

Teaching and Mentorship:

- Playing an active instructional role in all daily programming activities, adapting to individual student needs and levels of ability
- Liaising with the Programming Team on program vision and effectiveness
- Maintaining, developing and implementing relevant programming (onsite and offsite)
- Providing support for each student based on individual interest, learning need and capacity
- Managing issues of attendance and engagement among students
- Caring for SoM spaces (hallways, studios and instrument maintenance)
- Participating in peer mentorship, ongoing peer review and programming portfolios

Student Well Being:

- Committing to provide enriching and engaging musical experiences for students with varying interest, ability and background
- Striving to strengthen the well-being of your students by nurturing their creative development, increasing their musical skill set, assisting them to achieve personal goals, and solidifying their sense of belonging and community.
- Developing and sharing ideas on how to optimize opportunity, impact and student engagement

Relationship Building:

- Acting as an ambassador to the school in all settings, supporting and advocating for the mission of SoM.
- Representing the organization in the community.

You will be successful in this position if you have...

- University Education/Professional training in music and/or a related field is an asset
- Five to ten years of experience as a music instructor and performing artist
- Demonstrated social-emotional empathy
- Proven excellence in music instruction and ability to work collaboratively with other Instructors
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with grace, resolve problems, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment
- Critical thinking skills that enhance program development and delivery




- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Successful candidates must be able to provide/obtain a current Vulnerable Sector Check that is satisfactory to SoM prior to entering the classroom

The ideal Teaching Artist is:

- An Effective communicator - able to get your message across clearly and concisely both musically and in written / spoken English
- A Natural collaborator - able to quickly connect and build relationships with a diverse group of people of varying ages and experience
- Passionate and curious - you question the status quo, and are open to try new ways of doing things
- Committed to student engagement and creative problem solving - guided by artistic good judgment, equitable considerations, care and discretion in dealing with sensitive matters, you strive to provide the best possible learning experience for our students
- Inclusive and Respectful - actively contributes toward creating an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment, where everyone feels they belong
- A mentor that inspires commitment to strengthening community through music - confident sharing your artistry, communication, design, technology and musical skills to deliver impactful cooperative experiences

Interested?

If you’re excited by what you have read, we would love to hear from you!

We’ve included the “wish list” of our ideal candidate above, but we realize that everyone comes to the table with a different background and skill set. If you are excited about the prospect of working for us, and can demonstrate that you can do most of what we’re looking for, we would welcome an application from you.

All applications must be submitted via indeed.com. Posting closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday November 8, 2026

Be sure to include the following:

- A resume outlining your most relevant experience along with up to 3 samples of your work
- A cover letter, telling us a little more about you and why you are interested in joining the SoM team.
- Anything else that you think demonstrates why you would be a great addition to our team.

Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and safe work environment for people of all backgrounds.

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Part-time, Casual

Pay: $37.14-$42.45 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Substitute Music Teacher (Guitar & Rock Band Style Ensembles ) - New Westminster
🏢 Sarah McLachlan School of Music
📍 New Westminster