Assistant Professor in Music (Music Theatre – Dance)

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The Department of Music at the University of Guelph invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. The anticipated start date for this appointment is July 1, 2025, or another mutually agreed-upon date in 2025.

The College of Arts at the University of Guelph is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Music (Musical Theatre) with a creative practice centered on physical movement/dance and choreography. The candidate will be appointed to the School of Fine Art and Music (SOFAM) and teach in our undergraduate BA in Music program.

In the School of Fine Art and Music, we value diversity and inclusion. We acknowledge that diversity is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and the creation of a representative academic community. SOFAM is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and vibrant culture that is positive, collegial, and respectful of all members, and in which wellness and healthy work-life balance are valued along with (and indeed, contribute to) excellence in research and teaching. Candidates with knowledge of diverse identities, cultures, and communities, and/or lived experience as Black, Indigenous, or racialized individuals, who demonstrate a commitment to equity principles and possess the skills to engage meaningfully, are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will hold an MFA or an MA (or equivalent professional experience and an undergraduate degree) in dance (musical theatre), performance studies, or a related field. The preferred candidate will demonstrate experience in the contemporary Canadian musical theatre industry. Though not required, preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of scene/character development and movement theory. Specific fluencies with the history of jazz music and global music or global dance styles are preferred. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to an ethical, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonial creative practice, including experience with adaptive movement and experience leading community-engaged work.

This position will be fundamental to assisting the University of Guelph in expanding its tradition of excellence in musical theatre, and as such the successful candidate will be expected to help us grow our offerings related to dance and performance practice. Evidence of at least two years of teaching experience and course creation related to dance, choreography, and/or movement for performance is required, with the preferred candidate able to demonstrate experience at the post-secondary level. Fluency with teaching music subjects is also an asset.

The School of Fine Art and Music at the University of Guelph has a reputation for excellence in the education of musicians at the undergraduate level. Housed in the university’s Arts Research Centre, a space transformed through a recent $25 million investment, the music program places strong emphasis on skills important in the contemporary Canadian arts and culture sector. Our courses are innovative and place an emphasis on current, inclusive, industry-oriented practices.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward hiringnearme.org It Comes into View (https://indigenous.uoguelph.ca/strategy), the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph, you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant.

Assessment of applications will begin on March 10, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #1132) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):

1. A cover letter;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. An artistic portfolio (with links to video as relevant);
4. Teaching portfolio, including a teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, and other teaching materials;
5. An IEDIA statement listing tangible applications of IDEIA in research, teaching, and service; and
6. The names and contact information for three references. Note: Reference letters are not necessary at this time and will be solicited only of those candidates who advance in the process.

Applications should be addressed to Professor Kimberly Francis, Director, SOFAM, c/o:
Nicola Ferguson, Administrative Assistant to the Director  
School of Fine Art and Music, College of Arts  
University of Guelph   50 Stone Road East  
Guelph, ON N1G2W1  

Questions about the application process may be directed to Nicola Ferguson at nifergus@uoguelph.ca.

Questions about this position may be directed to Kimberly Francis, Director of the School of Fine Art and Music, Music, College of Arts at kfranc02@uoguelph.ca.

APPLY ONLINE – Assistant Professor in Music (Music Theatre – Dance – https://bit.ly/3CNmukg)

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA – https://ugfa.ca/).

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time (https://www.uoguelph.ca/president/strategic-plan/#strategic-priorities-2), our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness (https://www.uoguelph.ca/hr/about-hr/occupational-health-and-wellness) or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.

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