Director of Music Programs

EPACENTER

Job Description

Director of Music Programs

Organizational Overview

EPACENTER is a vibrant hub for creativity and cultural engagement headquartered in East Palo Alto. We are dedicated to inspiring imagination and activating the creative potential of all who seek greater access to artistic opportunities in San Mateo County. EPACENTER unites individuals of every age through artistic expression, supports career pathways in creative fields, and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our community.

EPACENTER presents a dynamic range of public programs, including captivating live performances, thought-provoking exhibitions and installations, stimulating lectures, curated film screenings, and spirited community events. Our comprehensive array of classes in digital, visual, culinary, and performing arts offers abundant opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and the discovery of lifelong passions. Additionally, fellowship and training programs open doors to rewarding high-wage careers within the creative industries.

Designed as an inviting and accessible 25,000-square-foot space, the EPACENTER building serves as a welcoming gathering spot where people of all abilities can explore their talents, engage with inspiring ideas, and flourish creatively.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Music Programs leads the artistic and educational vision for music at EPACENTER. The role curates public music programs, develops residencies and master classes, and builds curricula and class content in music for all ages. The Director of Music Programs also develops signature events that feature regional and nationally recognized artists, and manages a Supper Club-style experience on select dates that aligns performance with a fine dining experience. The position carries a revenue goal focused on growing paid attendance to generate earned income from music activities that support free educational programming for residents of the East Palo Alto community and those most in need in San Mateo County.

The Director of Music Programs partners closely with the Director of Program Operations and Production to align ambitions with space, schedules, and technical needs, and with Advancement to grow sponsorships and audience development.

Core Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership and Season Planning

• Develop a multi-year plan for music that reflects creative excellence, cultural equity, and community and youth voice
• Curate concerts, showcases, listening sessions, and spoken word events and residencies that establish EPACENTER as a cultural destination and increase the organization's visibility
• Cultivate relationships with artists, managers, labels, conservatories, and partner venues for collaboration on shared resources

Education and Curriculum Leadership

• Design music curricula and class content for children, teens, young adults, adults, and seniors that align with Creative Youth Development and culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice
• Create project arcs for ensemble performance, songwriting, beat making, world music, audio production, and music theory fundamentals
• Recruit, coach, and evaluate teaching artists, accompanists, producers, and guest mentors
• Provide lesson resources, classroom norms, and assessment tools that track learner growth and celebrate process and performance

Public Programs and Signature Events

• Produce artist talks, master classes, mixers, listening sessions, community jam nights, and youth opener opportunities that build audiences and pipelines for local talent
• Plan a small number of signature events each year that feature regional and nationally recognized artists with clear underwriting and access goals
• Help establish a Supper Club-style experience that integrates music with fine dining in partnership with Advancement and Operations

Revenue and Audience Development

• Build annual revenue plans for music programs and events and set pricing tiers that balance access and sustainability
• Grow ticket sales by developing targeted audience strategies, partnerships, and promotional campaigns in collaboration with Advancement
• Support donor cultivation and sponsorship activation tied to music programs and signature events
• Contribute content for grants and reports and provide timely metrics for stewardship

Planning, Budgets, Data, and Compliance

• Create and manage budgets for music programs, residencies, and events. Track expenditures, event settlements, in-kind support, and projections with Finance
• Monitor attendance, participation, audience feedback, and earned revenue contribution. Recommend adjustments to meet goals and key performance indicators
• Coordinate with the Director of Program Operations and Production on event schedule and planning, backline needs, rehearsal and sound check schedules, and safe use of studios and performance spaces
• Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, mandated reporter rules, and performance rights requirements

Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Build music performance partnerships with government agencies, schools, community groups, colleges, libraries, media outlets, and peer presenters to expand reach and opportunity for EPACENTER musicians and students
• Create pathways for EPACENTER artists and youth to participate as openers, collaborators, and resident artists at partner sites
• Represent EPACENTER in civic forums and industry networks focused on music and community-based practice

Administration and Reporting

• Prepare annual work plans, calendars, and budget forecasts
• Maintain artist agreements, rights, and licensing records, and show documentation, including run of show and post-event reports
• Present concise progress updates to the Executive Director and contribute to board materials as needed

Emerging Educator Training

• Design and lead a tiered professional learning pathway for early-career music educators
• Provide workshops, observation and feedback cycles, and competency rubrics aligned to Creative Youth Development practice
• Build and maintain a resource library that includes lesson plans, charts, session templates, production checklists, and evaluation tools
• Coordinate pathways for external credentials or apprenticeship and vocational alignment, where relevant

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in live music programming, presenting, festivals, or venue-based curation in diverse cultural or community settings.
• Experience developing educational curricula and demonstrated success linking performance programs to education and residencies.
• Working knowledge of stage plots, backline, audio needs, hospitality riders, and artist services and the judgment to right-size engagements to venue capacity.
• Strong budgeting, contracting, partnership building, marketing collaboration, and public speaking skills.
• Proficiency with basic ticketing, CRM, and analytics tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Music, Arts Administration, Arts Education, or a related field is required. An advanced degree or equivalent professional experience is preferred

Position Details

• Status: Full-time at 37.5 hours per week. Evening and weekend work is common during rehearsals and events
• Reports to. Executive Director

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Role operates across offices, rehearsal studios, stages, recording spaces, galleries, and outdoor sites
• Duties may involve extended standing and walking, lifting up to 30 pounds, and work in high-noise environments during rehearsals and shows
• EPACENTER provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions

Equal Opportunity Employer

EPACENTER is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected categories covered by EPACENTER's nondiscrimination policy.