Part-Time Lecturer, Popular Music Performance - Songwriting

Thornton School of Music

Part-Time Lecturer, Popular Music Performance - Songwriting

Position

The University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music invites applicants for one or more positions as Part-Time Lecturer in Popular Music Performance - Songwriting to begin on August 16, 2026. The period of appointment is for one academic year; the appointment may be renewed in subsequent years based on the needs of the department.

Combining the benefits of a world-class conservatory and a leading research university, the USC Thornton School of Music offers students the opportunity to pursue a thorough music education in a real-world context. 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. For more information, please visit us at http://music.usc.edu/.

Duties

Principal duties include teaching one or more sections ofMUSC 255/355/455, Songwriting I, II, and/or III, for majors and non-majors.Additional duties - such as private songwriting instruction, masterclasses, coaching sessions, or other instructional duties - may be assigned, depending on departmental needs and the qualifications of the candidate. Candidates participate in department activities such as juries, showcases, auditions and meetings, as needed and requested.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in music or a related field required; Master's degree preferred. A record of substantive professional experience may be substituted for formal education.
• A record of successful teaching experience at the college level or equivalent.
• Experiential knowledge of current music industry trends, particularly as they pertain to songwriting.
• Documented professional success as a songwriter and/or producer.
• An established track record as an active performer as a singer-songwriter.
• An understanding and application of historic songwriting traditions, styles, and trends.
• Proficiency across multiple instruments.
• Significant collaborative experience with other songwriters, producers, and musicians.
• Knowledge of and fluency in global and international songwriting trends and styles.
• Demonstrate ability to lead a classroom effectively, maintain clear structure, and foster a productive learning environment-including the capacity to manage students with strong creative viewpoints and guide group dynamics with confidence and authority.

• Applicants must share their teaching philosophy; share a collegiate-level songwriting pedagogy that exhibits songcraft milestones and learning outcomes.

Review of applications will commence immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.

The salary hiring range for this position is $4,900 to $5,400 per 2-unit course section, per semester. 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.

To Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the USC online system. Candidates are asked to provide a curriculum vitae and email addresses for three references. Do not send recordings and other supporting materials unless requested. Materials will not be returned.