Professor Jobs in Downey, CA

The USC Thornton School of Music invites applicants for a tenure-track position in Vocal Arts, a department within the Division of Classical Performance and Composition.  The appointment is anticipated at the rank of Assistant Professor; this is a tenure-track position, and the probationary period will be set in accordance with university norms as well as candidate’s qualifications and experience.   This appointment begins on August 16, 2026.

Founded in 1884, the USC Thornton School of Music is currently celebrating its 140th year.  Over the course of those fourteen decades, the Thornton School has prepared students for exceptional careers and a life in music as culture-defining performers, composers, producers, industry executives, entrepreneurs and leaders, researchers, educators and beyond.  USC Thornton is the oldest continually operating cultural institution in the vibrant music and culture capital, Los Angeles, and is internationally recognized as one of the finest conservatories and music schools in the U.S.  Led by the Dean, Dr. Jason King, who joined Thornton in 2023, the school blends the rigors of a traditional conservatory-style education with the benefits of a leading research university.  USC Thornton offers students a full range of musical disciplines across a demanding, innovative curriculum, and the opportunity to work with a faculty of national and international renown across a wide range of musical genres and idioms.  Students are encouraged to develop multiple musical and creative competencies in keeping with the past, present and future of ‘de-categorized’ music that transcends borders, boundaries, and limitations.

Duties

We are seeking a vocal instructor of national and international renown. whose primary voice type is tenor, to join our Vocal Arts Department.  (While the position seeks a tenor voice type, the search welcomes applications from qualified singers without regard to gender or background.)  This person will have, or be poised to have, a high-profile career as a singer, and will also be prepared to serve as a leader in instruction, recruitment, and departmental governance.  The ideal candidate will possess a deep and nuanced understanding of the aesthetic and pedagogical lineages of Bel Canto, musical theater, and popular music singing, and will be able to help students navigate, differentiate, integrate, and innovate across these traditions with fluency and artistic curiosity.  Through inspired teaching, mentorship, and innovative pedagogy, the successful candidate will equip students with the technical, artistic, and conceptual tools to become world-class performers who redefine singing in the twenty-first century.

The instructor engaged for this position will teach 18 hours of voice studio instruction (both graduate and undergraduate) and is expected to hold regular studio classes, attend faculty meetings, auditions, juries, and studio degree recitals.  Additional duties may include classroom instruction in repertoire, or other topics related to the candidate’s expertise, in which case the studio load would be adjusted.  The candidate is expected to participate in Thornton School committees and assume an active role in the recruitment of both graduate and undergraduate students to the School of Music.  The candidate will also be expected to maintain a vigorous  and successful profile as a tenor, with a performance and / or recording profile commensurate with expectations for tenure at peer institutions.

Minimum Qualifications :

Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance or equivalent.

A record of successful teaching of advanced students, either in a private studio setting or within a university or conservatory.  Consideration may be given for extensive professional performance experience, in operatic and / or concert settings, in lieu of other qualifications, if appropriate.

Minimum Performance Experience : The candidate should have a record of opera, concert, and / or recital performances, and show the artistic distinction and potential for national and / or international prominence as a tenor.

Preferred Qualifications :

DMA in Vocal Performance or equivalent

3 years of college and / or university teaching experience, with evidence of student success

Significant professional performance experience as a tenor in opera, concert, and / or recital appearances.  The candidate will already occupy a position of national prominence as a tenor.

Innovative research and / or creative work that connects vocal performance to other disciplines—such as emergent technology, media, cultural studies, health / wellness, or social impact—may be considered an asset.

Compensation

The anticipated core salary for this nine-month, full-time position at the rank of Assistant Professor is  $90,000 - $105,000.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education / training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system at www.usc.edu / jobs, and are asked to provide a Cover Letter, CV, and a list of references (minimum of three).  Individuals listed may be solicited for reference letters or communication via phone or Zoom.

Please do not send other materials; additional materials may be requested at a later date. Materials will not be returned.

Review of applications will begin on December 8, 2025.

The University of Southern California is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed, and background.