Assistant Professor, Applied Voice/Director of Opera

The Bower School of Music and the Art at Florida Gulf Coast University seeks an experienced and innovative vocal pedagogue and opera stage director for a full-time, nine-month, multi-year renewable appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August 2027. The Bower School of Music invites applicants who can contribute a unique perspective to directing opera workshop and in teaching applied voice lessons and studio performance classes to undergraduate vocal music majors and minors. Applicant should provide record of excellent applied voice teaching, opera direction and production, and solo performances as concert and/or opera artist that models the field’s highest professional standards.

Florida Gulf Coast University is a comprehensive university dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to: be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; be committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; be committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community. Teaching assignments may be on the main campus or at off-campus sites within our region. In addition, the successful candidate will oversee all facets of the FGCU Opera Theater/Opera and Musical Theater Workshop each semester.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach a minimum of nine undergraduate applied voice music majors and minors each semester, and to teach Voice Performance/Studio Classes weekly. Candidate must prepare applied music majors in performance, music education, and music therapy to perform required degree recitals, and to serve on recital committees in the vocal area. Voice teacher must demonstrate flexibility teaching across vocal styles to include classical, musical theater, and contemporary commercial music (CCM), and be committed to teaching and programming stylistically broad repertoire.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Plans, prepares, and teaches assigned courses, including developing syllabi, instructional materials, and assessments; teaches other courses depending on expertise, interest, and department needs.
• Delivers consistent, interactive, and engaging lectures aligned with curriculum goals and accreditation standards; maintains the highest standards of classroom instruction and engages in reflective self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
• Holds regular office hours and provides academic advising and individual support to students; recruits outstanding new students and contributes to the retention and mentoring of student music majors.
• Utilizes the University's learning management system and other instructional technologies effectively.
• Collaborates with departmental faculty on curriculum development and program advancement and ensures curriculum outcomes and accreditation standards are met.
• Establishes and maintains an active research program, including opportunities for undergraduate student involvement; demonstrates evidence of scholarly publication and grantsmanship; develops an active regional, national, and international profile in performance, research, and/or other creative activities and instruction of students.
• Collaborates with faculty colleagues in the vocal and orchestral areas, the theater department, and sometimes community arts organizations to present opera, operetta, musical, or scenes performances during Fall and Spring semesters.
• Takes responsibility for most production details, including the creation of the program and rehearsal schedule, set design, staging, musical preparation, lighting, costuming, makeup and hair, supertitles, marketing, advertising, printed program materials, organization of the stage crew and manager, and securing venues for off-campus productions.
• Exhibits a thorough knowledge of operatic repertoire suitable for undergraduate, pre-professional artists and prepares students with needed skills to meet the challenges of the profession in vocal production and stage movement.
• Develops and maintains community relationships with arts and other organizations; participates in professional organizations and service to the profession.
• Engages in continued professional development and maintains professional skills appropriate to rank and field; participates in professional development activities that advance the quality of instruction and student learning.
• Actively participates in departmental, college, and university committees and meetings and contributes to community, institutional, and professional service in support of the University's mission.
• Participates in faculty evaluation, student learning assessment, and required training activities.
• Participates in singing on the Bower School of Music and the Arts Nisita Faculty Artist Series and music ensemble concerts.
• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators; upholds the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and excellence in all professional activities.
• Complies with University policies, procedures, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Completed terminal degree: D.M.A. or Ph.D. in Vocal, Pedagogy, Voice Performance, and/or Voice and Opera Performance/Opera Directing or closely related area from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent accreditation.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly/creative achievement through presentation, publication, and/or performance commensurate with career stage
• Two years of professional college teaching experience (may include Adjunct Instructor position/s and/or Graduate Teaching Assistantship/s) in applied voice and opera direction
• ABD will be considered if degree is conferred by August 7, 2027. If successful candidate is ABD, appointment will be made at a Lecturer level on a fixed contract.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Tenor, baritone, or bass voice.
• Full-time college/university teaching experience, to include successful collaboration in an academic environment with demonstrated record of professional work related to opera production. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the discipline(s).
• Understanding how to use digital and interactive technologies for efficiently and effectively achieving specific learning goals.
• Knowledge of critical thinking processes and understanding how to help learners develop high level questioning skills.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of inquiry-based instructional models and strategies.
• Knowledge and ability to use technology in various teaching modalities (e.g. Face-to-face, synchronous online or asynchronous online).
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders both within and outside the University in the development and delivery of instruction, resulting in improved student learning.

• Ability to articulate and practice current trends in opera and vocal pedagogy.
• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges with creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and holding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectations:
In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open to feedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work; persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to achieve common goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Appointment will be made on a 9-month multi-year appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials, including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU. Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of 5 Professional References (with relationship to each)
• Two unedited links of applicant’s singing performance, art song and/or aria- Place in Word Document & Upload to Additional Documents Section

Additional Application Materials (to be requested at later date):

• Link to a staged production recently directed by the applicant
• A link of a 30-minute applied voice lesson, to include warm-up
• Sample programs of scholarly performances or presentations
• Sample syllabi

The position is listed as “open until filled”, however applications received by December 15, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.