careers


Thank you for your interest in joining us in advancing Diller-Quaile’s mission to develop the innate musicality in each individual, inspiring participation for a lifetime.

The Diller-Quaile School of Music is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to employees at the School.

CURRENT OPENINGS

  • Executive Director Search
    The Diller-Quaile School of Music
    New York, NY

    The Diller-Quaile School of Music (Diller-Quaile), an esteemed community institution on NYC's Upper East Side, is seeking a dynamic, seasoned, and community-minded Executive Director to guide its legacy of fostering lifelong engagement with music. Founded in 1920 by trailblazing musicians and educators Angela Diller and Elizabeth Quaile, the School is renowned for its exemplary programs catering to students of all ages and levels and emphasizing musicianship and expressive teaching. With a $3.7M budget and an endowment of approximately $5.8M, the Executive Director will lead a team of 70 faculty and ten full-time staff while concurrently serving more than 900 students annually through in-person tuition-based programs, 1,200 individuals annually through in-person tuition-free community programs, and reaching more than 3,300 individuals annually through online tuition-free community programs.

    Diller-Quaile’s accomplished, dedicated, and caring faculty and staff are renowned for nurturing the musical potential of children, youth, and adults across diverse programs that range from early childhood arts education to instrumental, vocal, and musicianship training. In particular, the School fosters musicianship and the development of skills, knowledge, and expressivity through responsive teaching. Diller-Quaile offers individual and group music instruction, ensemble and performance opportunities, and teacher-training courses, programs, and professional development onsite, virtually, and within the greater New York City neighborhoods. Diller-Quaile also dedicates significant resources to sharing and preserving music through community partnerships, public concerts, research and publications, and recordings.

    Guided by a 14-member Board of Directors, the next Executive Director of Diller-Quaile will bring a proven track record in managing organizations of comparable complexity. They will steer the organization’s strategic direction; elevate the School’s influence; drive program development and growth; expand and diversify resources; foster partnerships; oversee organizational culture, facilities, and capital projects; and lead, manage, and nurture faculty, staff, and board while ensuring organizational excellence in everything Diller-Quaile does for its students, families, and the community-at-large.

    This leadership opportunity arises as Kirsten Morgan, with over 25 years as Executive Director and 42 years on faculty at Diller-Quaile, plans to retire from the School in the summer of 2024. As the School approaches this transition, it offers a unique chance for a dynamic and dedicated leader, musician, and teacher to shape the upcoming chapter of Diller-Quaile’s distinguished history.

    The Diller-Quaile search committee is comprised of board members, staff, and faculty, and the Board of Directors has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications (including resumes/CVs and two- to three-page letters of interest responding to the opportunities and challenges outlined above) should be directed in strict confidence to the search team HERE. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.

    Diller-Quaile anticipates an annual salary of $200,000 for this position, commensurate with experience.

    Rebecca Swartz, Partner
    Ivy Couch, Associate
    Isaacson, Miller
    Diller-Quaile Executive Director Position Profile

  • ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW & POSITION SUMMARY
    The Diller-Quaile School of Music seeks a String Department Head committed to developing the innate musicality in each individual and dedicated to helping each student realize their full potential. Learning at Diller-Quaile takes place in a vibrant, supportive, and engaging school culture where the joys of music-making, creativity, and the pursuit of artistry are deeply valued.

    The Diller-Quaile School of Music was founded in 1920 by pianists Angela Diller and Elizabeth Quaile. They believed that the capacity for understanding and creating music exists in everyone. Additionally, they felt that a music school should provide a dynamic and well-rounded experience not just for select students, but for all. Together, they initiated a comprehensive approach to teaching music, combining individual piano lessons with classes in musicianship and theory. Angela Diller and Elizabeth Quaile collaborated to write many publications, including the well-known “First Solo Book.” Some of these publications are still in print and currently used at the School. Today, The Diller-Quaile School of Music is a thriving community music school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, comprised of the following departments: Early Childhood; Instrumental and Vocal; Adult; The Diller-Quaile Institute: Teacher Training & Professional Development; and Community Programs.

    The School seeks a collaborative leader who values community and lifelong engagement in the arts. The candidate must be an exceptional musician with strong performance, teaching, and administrative skills; and must have extensive knowledge of pedagogical approaches for young children through adults. A master’s degree is preferred.

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    • hiring, mentoring, and supervising the String Department faculty (including classroom observations, conferences, and work reviews)

    • maintaining, developing, and expanding Diller-Quaile’s string program for all levels

    • interviewing and providing advisement for prospective and current students and families

    • facilitating communication among administrators, faculty, and families; scheduling string students; teaching within the department

    • collaborating in planning and leading student performances; overseeing student assessment reports

    • participating in school-wide initiatives.

    APPLICATION COMPONENTS
    Please send the following documents to the Director of Instrumental & Vocal Programs Kathy Yiannoudes at kyiannoudes@diller-quaile.org. Applications without a cover letter or professional references will not be considered.

    • Cover letter

    • Current resume

    • Professional references

    SALARY/STATUS
    The position is part-time, generally 10-15 hours onsite weekly, with an administrative rate of $33.88/hour. The teaching rate is commensurate with experience.