3 answers
Josiah
Student
Sabetha, Kansas
9
Questions
Asked
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Should I consider a career as a college/university/conservatory professor?
After some consideration, I have wondered if perhaps a music professor would suit me? What does being a music professor include (lifestyle, work-life). Could I teach multiple instruments (specifically piano and voice)? What degree requirements would I need to have? How does one become a professor, and specifically how do I become a professor of multiple instruments? Is performance a part of the job? How often would I perform each instrument (voice and piano)? Thank you!
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2400
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Josiah !
Those are a lot of questions, some that project into the future, but let's see if I can assist in sorting some of it out. I'm happy that you have considered the music professor career and have given it serious thought.
Each music professor has their their own lifestyle This is determined by where they work, their family, their friends, where they live, their hobbies and so many other things. No one could possibly know how their life will be during their first career job. There is no foresight for lifestyle. You will just be living your life and finding out what your own life is like when you become a music professor. It will be unique to you.
If you want to teach both piano and voice, you will have to keep your eyes open for a college that has those openings in their Music Department. You could work at one college teaching voice and a different college teaching piano. It's going to depend on what is available at the time after you finish college, so again, no foresight on this, but if you feel ready to teach both, there's no reason not to apply to teach both.
Your state of Kansas requires a Doctorate Degree in order to teach at a college or University. That's about 8 years total, but definitely check with your guidance counselor or an academic counselor for the accuracy of it. My advice is to get your Bachelors in Education and a Minor in Music, Masters in Education and you'll have to ask a professional guidance counselor about what is expected for your Doctorate. You'll want to stay within the guidelines of the state you want to teach in. Also ask the guidance counselor at what point you should or need to get your teaching credential. During your Bachelors Degree, you can take some piano and voice lessons to keep up with those skills.
Ask the counselors about this too: you may need a performance resume. To be in the forefront for positions, many times people that teach a performance subject have had a long career in performing their talent. All of my Acting professors in college had strong acting careers or careers in the facet of theatre that they taught. It's something that may be needed so double check locally about that.
By the time you finish your Bachelors Degree and on to your Masters, trust me, you will have explored and know the way that you personally will become a Music Professor. No one can actually tell you that as it will be discovered during your academic preparation. It depends on too many things that no one can predict right now.
I apologize, but again, no one can tell you how many times you would play the piano, sing and how often or where. This is impossible to know and not something that is important right now for making a decision for this career. Your requirements for your job will be told to you by your employers at the time you are hired. Sorry that no one should mislead you on answers about your future. It is okay not to know - we all didn't know and we turned out great !
I hope this helps and I wish you all good things !
Those are a lot of questions, some that project into the future, but let's see if I can assist in sorting some of it out. I'm happy that you have considered the music professor career and have given it serious thought.
Each music professor has their their own lifestyle This is determined by where they work, their family, their friends, where they live, their hobbies and so many other things. No one could possibly know how their life will be during their first career job. There is no foresight for lifestyle. You will just be living your life and finding out what your own life is like when you become a music professor. It will be unique to you.
If you want to teach both piano and voice, you will have to keep your eyes open for a college that has those openings in their Music Department. You could work at one college teaching voice and a different college teaching piano. It's going to depend on what is available at the time after you finish college, so again, no foresight on this, but if you feel ready to teach both, there's no reason not to apply to teach both.
Your state of Kansas requires a Doctorate Degree in order to teach at a college or University. That's about 8 years total, but definitely check with your guidance counselor or an academic counselor for the accuracy of it. My advice is to get your Bachelors in Education and a Minor in Music, Masters in Education and you'll have to ask a professional guidance counselor about what is expected for your Doctorate. You'll want to stay within the guidelines of the state you want to teach in. Also ask the guidance counselor at what point you should or need to get your teaching credential. During your Bachelors Degree, you can take some piano and voice lessons to keep up with those skills.
Ask the counselors about this too: you may need a performance resume. To be in the forefront for positions, many times people that teach a performance subject have had a long career in performing their talent. All of my Acting professors in college had strong acting careers or careers in the facet of theatre that they taught. It's something that may be needed so double check locally about that.
By the time you finish your Bachelors Degree and on to your Masters, trust me, you will have explored and know the way that you personally will become a Music Professor. No one can actually tell you that as it will be discovered during your academic preparation. It depends on too many things that no one can predict right now.
I apologize, but again, no one can tell you how many times you would play the piano, sing and how often or where. This is impossible to know and not something that is important right now for making a decision for this career. Your requirements for your job will be told to you by your employers at the time you are hired. Sorry that no one should mislead you on answers about your future. It is okay not to know - we all didn't know and we turned out great !
I hope this helps and I wish you all good things !
Catherine H
Digital Nomad
9
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Becoming a music professor involves teaching, performing, and mentoring students at a college, university, or conservatory. Here’s a quick breakdown of what the career entails:
What You’ll Do:
● Teach courses in music theory, performance, and pedagogy.
● Perform in faculty recitals or guest appearances, especially at conservatories.
● Research & Publish (if at a research university).
● Mentor Students and help them develop their careers.
Can You Teach Multiple Instruments?
Most professors specialize in one instrument (piano or voice), but smaller colleges may allow you to teach both. Large universities prefer specialists.
Degree Requirements:
MM (Master of Music) – Needed for community colleges or adjunct roles.
DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) or PhD – Required for most full-time university positions.
How to Become a Music Professor:
1. Earn an advanced degree in music (DMA, MM, or PhD).
2. Gain teaching experience (private lessons, university TA).
3. Build a performance/research portfolio (recitals, publications).
4. Apply for faculty positions (starting with adjunct or lecturer roles).
Performance Expectations:
At conservatories: Regular recitals.
At research universities: Some performances + academic work.
At liberal arts/community colleges: Teaching-focused with fewer performance requirements.
What You’ll Do:
● Teach courses in music theory, performance, and pedagogy.
● Perform in faculty recitals or guest appearances, especially at conservatories.
● Research & Publish (if at a research university).
● Mentor Students and help them develop their careers.
Can You Teach Multiple Instruments?
Most professors specialize in one instrument (piano or voice), but smaller colleges may allow you to teach both. Large universities prefer specialists.
Degree Requirements:
MM (Master of Music) – Needed for community colleges or adjunct roles.
DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) or PhD – Required for most full-time university positions.
How to Become a Music Professor:
1. Earn an advanced degree in music (DMA, MM, or PhD).
2. Gain teaching experience (private lessons, university TA).
3. Build a performance/research portfolio (recitals, publications).
4. Apply for faculty positions (starting with adjunct or lecturer roles).
Performance Expectations:
At conservatories: Regular recitals.
At research universities: Some performances + academic work.
At liberal arts/community colleges: Teaching-focused with fewer performance requirements.
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
59
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hi Josiah!
Becoming a music professor can definitely be a great fit if you love both teaching and performing. As a professor, you'd teach courses, like private lessons and group classes, and work closely with students on their progress. You'd also be involved in things like mentoring, creating curriculum, and possibly even doing some research or publishing papers.
If you're interested in teaching both voice and piano, you can definitely do that, but you'll need to be well-qualified in both instruments. Most music professors have at least a Master’s degree, with a Doctorate being more common for universities or conservatories. You’d also need strong performance experience in both instruments. Performance might still be part of the job, but how often you perform depends on the school and your specific role. Some professors perform regularly, while others focus more on teaching.
The lifestyle is generally good in terms of work-life balance, especially with summers off, but the school year can get busy with teaching, recitals, and meetings. It’s a great path if you’re passionate about sharing your music knowledge and connecting with students.
Would you want to dive into any specific part of the process, like the degree requirements or performance aspect?
Hope this helps—
Good luck!
Saint
Becoming a music professor can definitely be a great fit if you love both teaching and performing. As a professor, you'd teach courses, like private lessons and group classes, and work closely with students on their progress. You'd also be involved in things like mentoring, creating curriculum, and possibly even doing some research or publishing papers.
If you're interested in teaching both voice and piano, you can definitely do that, but you'll need to be well-qualified in both instruments. Most music professors have at least a Master’s degree, with a Doctorate being more common for universities or conservatories. You’d also need strong performance experience in both instruments. Performance might still be part of the job, but how often you perform depends on the school and your specific role. Some professors perform regularly, while others focus more on teaching.
The lifestyle is generally good in terms of work-life balance, especially with summers off, but the school year can get busy with teaching, recitals, and meetings. It’s a great path if you’re passionate about sharing your music knowledge and connecting with students.
Would you want to dive into any specific part of the process, like the degree requirements or performance aspect?
Hope this helps—
Good luck!
Saint