Homer OPUS Director
Position: OPUS Director
Homer OPUS seeks a director to begin in August 2025.
Location: Homer, Alaska
Description: Homer OPUS is a nonprofit organization that believes that broad access to music education changes children’s lives and transform community. We offer violin-based music programs in local elementary schools that reach hundreds of kids who might not otherwise have access to string instrument instruction. Using methods from a variety of disciplines including Suzuki and Dalcroze, these programs seek to help our youngest participants develop learning and citizenship skills, such as focus, perseverance, and leadership as well as experience the joy of making music together. Our after school orchestral ensembles support the development of individuals as musicians and foster a lifelong love of music. Our adult ensemble performs regularly and mentors youth musicians.
Homer is located on beautiful Kachemak Bay in southcentral Alaska, a 225-mile drive or 30-minute flight from Anchorage. The town has a vibrant arts community that strongly supports our programs and offers a wide range of amenities that support a high quality of life, from extraordinary outdoor recreation opportunities, to fishing, good schools, cultural resources, and dynamic local businesses.
Duties: Lead a community music program that engages about 250 youth and adult string players and embraces the organizational vision. Teach classroom strings to grades K-2 in elementary school settings. Lead a small string youth orchestra with groups of varying levels and an adult ensemble. Supervise classroom assistants/volunteers as needed and a part-time program administrator. Be a champion for OPUS students and the organization as a whole. Work with the Board of Directors to secure long-term funding. This is an opportunity to take the helm of a growing musical movement in a small Alaskan town, and additional duties will be determined by the candidate’s interest and skills.
Salary: $60,000 – $75,000 DOE. Professional development and relocation assistance are available.
For More Information or to Apply: Send a resume and cover letter to application@homeropus.org.
Homer OPUS – 355 W. Pioneer Avenue, Ste. 300 – Homer, AK 99603 – OpusHomer@gmail.com
Homer OPUS Director
Job Duties
The OPUS Director is responsible for carrying out a comprehensive string education program in Homer, Alaska with the goal of building community and helping youth become better learners and better citizens. Our goal is to make the benefits of string music education available to as many children as possible, to nurture a community culture where youth music matters, and to bring the joy of music across the region.
This position carries out two different types of programs, a school-based program for kids in kindergarten through second grade, and an afterschool string ensemble program for youth in 3rd – 12th grades as well as adults. These programs come together for formal and informal music sharing and performances.
OPUS seeks a candidate who will bring vision, ownership, and enthusiasm to the program, which is beloved in the region. The OPUS Director works with the OPUS Board of Directors to develop long term goals and strategies to meet the organization’s mission. This position is supervised by the OPUS Board and, in turn, supervises a part-time administrative support staff person.
OPUS Director duties include:
School-based program
• Teach kindergarten through second grade students violin at public schools in Homer and Anchor Point, Alaska using Suzuki and other methods with the goal of developing musical, executive functioning, and social skills.
• Have a responsive, positive, “Can Do” attitude when working with each school’s different missions, philosophies, and schedules.
• Develop and plan school-based performances throughout the year.
• Create fast-paced, varied lessons that are developmentally appropriate for each grade level.
• Develop a year’s curriculum outline (scope and sequence) and share planning materials with school staff.
• Collaborate and communicate with staff and principals about special needs students and necessary adaptations, and program plans and goals.
• Seek ways to extend and deepen the impact of the program.
Afterschool ensemble (Homer Youth String Orchestra Club) duties
• Direct afterschool orchestral ensembles for youth grades 3rd through 12th and adults.
• Seek out and direct public performances.
• Work in collaboration with the HYSOC steering committee.
• Actively recruit students to grow the program and reduce barriers to participation.
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• Ensure participants are also taking private lessons and, when feasible, work with the OPUS Board to match students with financial need with sponsors to make private lessons available.
• Seek ways to extend and deepen the impact of the program.
Other Duties
• Participate in regular meetings of the OPUS Board of Directors and in planning and visioning activities with the Board.
• Develop and coordinate community performances and artist collaborations that bring the joy of music across the community and build community connections.
• Represent OPUS and OPUS programs to the community.
• Work to build community connections and partnerships to strengthen and build OPUS programs
• Participate in fundraising efforts, such as meeting major donors, a Practice-a-thon, and house concerts.
• Submit a yearly background check.
Other Expectations
• Apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program.
• Plan and implement lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers and parents.
• Perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
