Employment Opportunities
The Music Academy of the West offers an exceptional work environment and attractive compensation packages.
An equal opportunity employer, the Music Academy is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, race, color, ancestry, marital, parental or veteran status, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, consistent with applicable federal and state laws.
President & CEO
The Music Academy invites nominations and applications for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. NancyBell Coe, who has served as President since 2004, will step down at the end of the 2010 Summer Festival. The Music Academy hopes to make an appointment in the spring, enabling the new President's term to begin on or before September 1. For a position description and application information, contact the Catherine French Group at .
Operations Coordinator
The Music Academy is currently seeking an Operations Coordinator to provide critical production and operational support for all instrumental events during the Academy's eight-week Summer School and Festival. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, stage management, concert production, instrument transport and general maintenance, and musician transportation as needed. In the course of his/her work, the incumbent will collaborate with Academy staff, faculty, guest artists, and Fellows in supporting the professional operations of rehearsals, concerts, and masterclasses at all summer venues. The contract period for this full-time position is June 16 to August 16.
A complete description is available here.
Summer Resident Directors
The Music Academy is currently seeking two Summer Resident Directors. Each position is part time, and incumbents are required to be in residence at Cate School in Carpinteria while on duty. The selected applicants will alternate daytime (8 am to 6 pm) and evening (6 pm to 8 am) hours according to a mutually devised schedule. The contract period is from the afternoon of Friday, June 18, through the morning of Monday, August 16, 2010. Responsibilities include supervising Academy Fellows and fostering a positive social atmosphere at Cate, and responding to emergencies.
A complete position description is available here.
Artistic Operations Internships
The Music Academy is currently seeking two full-time Artistic Operations Interns for the 2010 Summer Festival. The contract period is from Monday, June 14, through Wednesday, August 18. Applicants must provide their own housing and transportation.
A complete description is available here.
Volunteers
Each season the Music Academy of the West has many exciting opportunities for volunteers—onstage, backstage, and in the front of the house.
Supernumeraries
Supernumeraries, or "Supers," are actors who volunteer to fill non-speaking roles in an opera. Supers are chosen on the basis of availability (you must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances) and costume measurements. There are generally 8-10 three-hour rehearsals that take place (in the evenings and weekends) prior to each production's opening night.
Light Walkers, Wig and Makeup, Props, and Stage Management
In addition to supers, the Music Academy often needs individuals who enjoy helping out backstage and in the lobby. People who are interested in the lighting design process can help by standing in for singers on the stage while we create lighting "looks." These folks are called light walkers. We are also constantly seeking people for costumes, wig/make-up crew, props, and stage management. Backstage volunteers are trained in the basic skills necessary for their department.
Light walkers and wig/makeup crew are chosen on the basis of availability. Light walkers typically need to be available in the daytime. Wig/makeup crew members need to be available in the early evening through the end of a performance.
Sound Interesting?
If you are interested in being a super, a light walker, and/or being backstage, please download and complete the Super and Backstage Information Form. Supers please include a current full-length photograph of yourself. Please email the completed form to , or, if more convenient, simply email the information contained in the form along with your photo if applicable.
In addition to the excitement of being a part of a professional opera production, and as a thank you for all of your hard work and time, all supers, light walkers, and backstage volunteers will receive complimentary tickets to the opera open dress rehearsal. (Full complimentary ticket policies will be distributed during production.)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Music Academy of the West's production manager, Melissa Somrack, 949.697.8176.
We look forward to working with you!
Front of House – Ushers and Lobby Volunteers
Ushers, ticket takers, and general volunteers are always needed for the eight-week Summer Festival! Please call 805.695.7934 for more information.
