Assistant Professor of Cello

The Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a faculty position in studio cello. This is a full-time nine-month tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank to begin September 1, 2027.

Responsibilities

• Teach applied cello lessons, studio classes, and chamber music to undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, as well as oversee beginning cello techniques class for music education majors. Further assignments dependent on the candidate’s areas of expertise and the needs of the department.
• Maintain national/international and regional visibility as a performer/pedagogue.
• Participate in and organize on-campus faculty performances, with demonstrated interest in collaboration.
• Advise undergraduate and graduate students, participate in auditions, serve on committees, and perform other university and professional service as appropriate.
• Be willing and available to address responsibilities during the regular work week and on weekends, as needed. Recruiting activities may include visiting secondary schools, offering workshops, participating in summer programs, and adjudicating.
• Collaborate with colleagues to build the level, scope, and reputation of the string program.
• Bring a demonstrated track record of initiating or leading professional projects.
• Manage wide-ranging administrative tasks, including rotating through the area head position.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in cello performance required, DMA preferred.
• Potential for or an already established national reputation as a cellist.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching as well as a high potential for recruiting both undergraduate and graduate students.

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Additional Information

For more information on living, working, and learning in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts please visit: https://www.umass.edu/faculty-development/prospective-faculty

If you have questions about this position, please contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Elizabeth Chang, via email at techang@umass.edu.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2026. Applications received after this date may not be reviewed.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit 1) a cover letter (details below); 2) curriculum vitae; 3) a document containing links to high quality video recordings of solo and chamber music performances of works in various styles totaling at least 30 minutes from within the past 5 years (please include dates of performances); and 4) full contact information including email address for three references willing to provide references in the future.

Address your cover letter to the cello search committee discussing your interest in the position, artistic aims, ability to contribute meaningfully to the present and future activities of the Department of Music and Dance, and how your work as artist, teacher, academic citizen and public servant would further the university’s values and goals as outlined in the university’s strategic plan. You can find these values and goals in our strategic plan here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

Additional supporting materials, including three letters of recommendation, may be requested from finalists. Application materials will not be returned.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.