Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Whether you’re leading a class, supporting an ensemble, or assisting in academic or administrative roles, GTAs play a vital role in the life of our college. Explore available assistantships, learn about the application process, and take the next step in your graduate journey.
Assistantships Overview
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music provide outstanding graduate students with financial support and hands-on professional experience in teaching, research, performance, and service. Opportunities vary each academic year based on the college’s needs. Current openings are listed below.
Benefits
GTA appointments include:
- Full tuition waiver
- Coverage of mandatory university fees
- Medical insurance
- Monthly stipend
Eligibility & Expectations
Assistantships are awarded based on:
- Completion of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music’s admissions requirements
- Recommendation from the student’s primary professor in their area of study
Contracts begin August 1, and GTAs must be in Knoxville and prepared to begin their duties during the first week of August. GTAs are also expected to return several days prior to the start of spring classes in January.
International students whose native language is not English must take the OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview – computer) upon arrival in August as part of university requirements. Refer to our “How to Apply” page for additional information.
Application Process
All GTA Applicants
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) materials are submitted as part of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music graduate application. There is no separate application for assistantships.
To be considered for a GTA position, applicants should:
- Provide a statement of professional goals that explicitly addresses how a graduate assistantship would support personal academic and career objectives
- Provide a selection of your employment and performance history
- Upload your CV
- Upload a headshot or professional photo
Composition or Theory GTA Applicants
In addition to the above materials, GTA applicants in Composition or Theory should provide the following:
- Submit a 10-minute (approximately) teaching demonstration video on melodic dictation for a beginning aural skills class. You do not have to finish the whole example.
- If you can get a friend or two to sit in as mock students in the video, this might help but is not required.
- Faculty encourage GTA applicants to include some singing in the teaching. Use any technology and techniques preferred; any creative teaching ideas with technology is appreciated.
Available Assistantships: 2026 – 2027
Each academic year, the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music offers a range of Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) positions. Duties vary depending on the position and area of study – some GTAs may assist with classroom instruction, ensemble coordination, research support, or administrative tasks.
Each GTA is assigned a primary professor within their area, who provides guidance and supervision throughout the appointment. See below for a list of assistantships available for the upcoming academic year.
If you have any general inquiries about the graduate programs within our college, please connect with Professor Angela Batey, Director of Graduate Studies.
Choral Conducting
Primary Professor: Professor Angela Batey
Duties: Assist with the conducting and administration of the University of Tennessee choral ensembles.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Deadlines:
- Pre-Screening Deadline: December 16
- Application: February 1
Collaborative Piano
Primary Professor: Professor Kevin Class
Duties: Accompanying assignments tailored to the particular abilities of the graduate student. They may include playing for recitals, lessons and juries; coaching opera; and serving as a rehearsal pianist.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Jazz
Primary Professor: Professor Keith Brown
Duties: Coach small jazz ensembles. Other duties, based on candidate’s qualifications,
may include performing in the large jazz ensemble, teaching applied music, and
assisting in Jazz area administrative work.
Stipend: Up to $27,820 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Music Education – Instrumental
Primary Professor: To be announced
Duties: Assist the Music Education faculty with instrumental music education courses and
other duties as needed.
Stipend: Up to $18,361 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Music Education – Vocal/General
Primary Professor: To be announced
Duties: Assist the Music Education faculty with instrumental music education courses and
other duties as needed.
Stipend: Up to $18,361 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Musicology
Primary Professor: Professor Rachel Golden
Duties: Assist musicology faculty with teaching and research within an integrated program in historical musicology and ethnomusicology.
Stipend: Up to $27,820 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Piano
Primary Professor: Professor Chih-Long Hu
Duties: Duties to include teaching private/group piano and/or accompanying, per the needs of the College.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Saxophone
Primary Professor: Professor Allison Adams
Duties: Assist in the University of Tennessee Saxophone Studio.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Strings (2 available)
GTA – Strings (50%)
Primary Professor: Professor Miroslav Hristov
Duties: Assist with the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra and Graduate String
Quartet.
Stipend: Up to $27,820 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
GTA – Strings (25%)
Primary Professor: Professor Miroslav Hristov
Duties: Assist with the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra and Graduate String
Quartet.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Strings in Schools
Primary Professor: To be announced
Duties: Teach string classes in Knox County Public Schools. Perform in the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra. Candidate must have licensure to teach music in public schools. Potential per-service employment with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra subject to audition.
Stipend: Up to $18,361 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Theory, Composition & Technology
Primary Professor: Professor Andrew Sigler
Duties: Teach oral and written music theory courses, teach composition lessons, and assist professors.
Stipend: Up to $27,820 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Trumpet
Primary Professor: Professor Arthur Zanin
Duties: Perform with faculty brass quintet. Assist in trumpet studio.
Stipend: Up to $27,820 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Tuba/Euphonium
Primary Professor: Professor Alexander Lapins
Duties: Assist in tuba/euphonium studio.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Voice & Opera
Primary Professor: Professor Andrew Skoog
Duties: GTAs may participate in the Knoxville Opera Studio professional training program partnered with the Knoxville Opera Company. Additional responsibilities include private
and/or class voice teaching, voice area support, and assisting with opera administration as determined by the candidate’s abilities and interests, and the needs of the program.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
Wind/Band Conducting
Primary Professor: Professor John Zastoupil
Duties: Assist in the conducting and administration of the
University of Tennessee concert and athletic bands. Assist in the teaching of undergraduate conducting and courses in music education. Perform in either Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band as assigned.
Stipend: Up to $13,910 plus tuition waiver and medical coverage.
Application Deadline: February 1
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