Student Employment Opportunities

A variety of job opportunities are available to students seeking employment on campus; however, pursuit of jobs within the Conservatory will require persistence and the willingness and ability to demonstrate your qualifications for the available positions. All students seeking employment should be prepared to submit a resume (CV) and a cover letter to hiring managers. A list of departments that typically hire students can be found here.

Please be aware of the following student employment guidelines:

  • While school is in session, students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week.
  • All students may apply for positions at the Conservatory; however, priority must be given to those participating in the Federal Work/study program and to international students whose visas do not permit them to work off campus.
  • International Students with F-1 visas must speak with Ruby Pleasure, our International Student Advisor, regarding USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) guidelines about permissible employment. You may contact Ruby by phone at 415.503.6228 or email at rap@sfcm.edu.
  • Students with multiple campus jobs may be asked to relinquish one of their positions if the total number of hours exceeds 20 hours per week.

Paid performance opportunities at the Conservatory

Please review the Music-To-Go information at: https://www.sfcm.edu/web/sfcm/music-to-go and contact Elisabeth Lowry ar 415.503.6258 or email her at: elowry@sfcm.edu. if you are interested.

Conservatory in the Schools: Teaching Employment Opportunities

How To Apply: 

If you are interested in being considered, please contact the Program Manager, Elisabeth Lowry, at elowry@sfcm.edu. Please submit a letter of interest and a resume including previous teaching experience. Resumes are due by August 24th.  Interviews will be scheduled August 29th-30th. 

The Conservatory in the Schools (CIS) Program was initiated twelve years ago to provide support to the under-served music programs in the San Francisco Unified School District.  CIS is an outreach program in which Conservatory student interns assist classroom teachers during music class and provide primary instrumental and early childhood music instruction to public school students.

Those accepted into the program are then assigned to teach 2-4 hours a week at a San Francisco public school.  Teaching time is compensated and students receive one internship credit each semester.  

These are examples of the types of experiences our interns have acquired:

  • teaching private lessons to individuals and small groups of students  leading sectionals 
  • coaching chamber music groups in preparation for participation in local festivals 
  • conducting entire ensembles 
  • assist in teaching early childhood music classes 

The class meets as a group three times each semester; guest educators will lead discussions focusing on pedagogical techniques specific to teaching music in public school settings. These seminars focus on classroom management, discipline techniques, and developmental learning stages of elementary and adolescent-aged music students. 

Testimonials:

“The CIS program gave me the practical training experience I need to feel confident in my teaching abilities as [I take] on more classroom and private teaching since graduation.” Jill Heinke, CIS mentor 

“It’s a very rewarding and worthwhile experience working with younger people who respond to your efforts and enthusiasm in a positive way.” 
Melanie Jones, CIS mentor