Head of Keyboard: Lead the piano department at the ORC, shaping the future of keyboard education, performance and community impact in regional NSW.
About the ORC
The Orange Regional Conservatorium (ORC) has been a leading regional music education organisation for over three decades. It provides high-quality, inclusive, and diverse opportunities for all who seek to learn, perform, and experience music.
The ORC delivers structured, consistent, and engaging music programs to individual students, classes, ensembles, and schools—reaching over 1,200 students each week. These programs are taught by a faculty of more than 40 teachers from a wide variety of professional teaching and performance backgrounds. In 2026, the ORC will move into a purpose-built facility that will provide students and staff with the highest quality education and performance spaces in regional Australia.
People and culture are at the centre of life at the ORC. Our staff are engaged, dynamic, highly skilled, and cooperative. They work side by side to empower students, grow as performers and educators, and fulfil the artistic vision and goals of the organisation.
ORC staff are guided by strong administrative policies and processes, and supported by a dedicated and focused administration team. Because of this streamlined approach, staff are empowered to focus on teaching, conducting, performance, and professional development.
About Orange
Orange is a regional city of 45,000 on Wiradjuri Country, just 3.5 hours west of Sydney, offering a rich blend of cultural depth, natural beauty and an enviable quality of life. Known nationally for its cool-climate wine region, Orange hosts hallmark events such as Orange FOOD Week and the Orange Wine Festival, alongside an expanding calendar of arts and cultural festivals that attract audiences from across NSW.
The city’s growing cultural precinct — encompassing the Civic Theatre, Museum, Regional Gallery, Library and soon the new Conservatorium and Planetarium — creates an inspiring environment for collaboration and creative exchange. Audiences here value live performance, and musicians benefit from genuine engagement and community support.
Orange also offers a lifestyle that appeals to both individuals and families. Housing is more affordable, commutes are short, and the city provides excellent schools, specialist medical services and a welcoming community. Singles enjoy a lively café, dining and entertainment scene, while outdoor enthusiasts have easy access to hiking trails, parks and sporting opportunities.
Professionally, educators and artists thrive in a collegial, supportive environment with strong opportunities for growth, networking and community impact. Moving to Orange means joining a vibrant, connected city where a sustainable, fulfilling life in music is truly possible.
About the role
The Head of Keyboard will lead a vibrant, collegial, and growing piano department — shaping piano pedagogy, department culture, and piano performance outcomes across the Conservatorium. A major focus of this role is the ability to confidently and artistically accompany students at AMEB, HSC and tertiary-preparation level — as well as colleagues, visiting artists and ORC ensembles.
You’ll be responsible for developing your department, supporting enrolment growth, and ensuring accompaniment requirements are met for exams, concerts, assessments, events and rehearsals. You will have scope to perform, collaborate, mentor, work directly with primary and secondary school programs throughout the region, and contribute to a new era of artistic possibility in our brand new recital hall.
This role aligns strongly with the ORC Strategic Directions 2025–2031 — growing quality, innovating pedagogy and performance practice, building community and ensuring inclusion, and creating sustainable pathways for regional musicians.
This position is full-time.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the piano department — curriculum development, pedagogy direction, studio standards, repertoire development, strategic growth.
- Deliver high-quality individual and group tuition for students from beginner through advanced and tertiary-prep levels.
- Provide high-level accompaniment for instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles, auditions, exams and major Conservatorium events.
- Develop innovative and contemporary teaching initiatives that expand access, support multiple learning styles and foster artistic confidence.
- Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate concerts, performance classes, workshops, interdisciplinary projects and community partnerships.
- Contribute to ORC’s commitment to quality music education, inclusion, community connection, and artistic excellence.
Benefits & Perks
- Join a professional team of 40+ musicians and educators
- Strong career growth and performance opportunities within a thriving regional arts culture
- Chamber music, faculty recital and visiting artist performance opportunities
- Professional development support
- Highly desirable regional lifestyle with growing cultural infrastructure and liveability
- Job security in full-time position
Skills & Experience
Required
- Australian work rights and NSW Working with Children Check
- Bachelor of Music / Music Education or minimum 5+ years music teaching/industry experience
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in either music teaching or broader music industry roles
- Demonstrated excellence in piano performance and pedagogy
- Strong collaborative pianist / accompaniment experience and skill
- Clear history of preparing students successfully for AMEB and HSC exams
Highly desirable
- AMEB teaching experience to A.Mus.A level
- Experience in recruitment, studio growth and student retention
- Ability to contribute to innovative program development aligned with ORC Strategic Directions (quality, inclusion, innovation, community impact, sustainability)
Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your teaching, performance and accompaniment experience to:
Mr David Shaw — Executive Director**********@orangecon.org.au(02) 6361 7***
Applications close Friday December 5, 5pm.
Contact for more info : **********@orangecon.org.au