Music Teacher CV examples

This guide will take you step-by-step through writing a CV as a music teacher. From presenting your teaching experience to emphasising your musical qualifications and classroom skills, you’ll learn how to hit every key area recruiters want to see.

Whether you’re teaching in primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, or private academies, this guide will help you showcase your range as both an educator and a musician.

A good CV, much like a great lesson plan, needs rhythm, structure, and a clear sense of flow. Think of your CV like a musical score – if it’s hard to follow and full of mistakes, the reader will struggle to stay in tune with your message. Recruiters should be able to scan it quickly and get a clear sense of your teaching experience and musical strengths.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your personal details at the top so employers can get in touch easily.
• Profile – Kick things off with a concise overview of what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight those qualities which make you the best candidate.
• Work experience – List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent first.
• Education – Go through the academic history which underpins your expertise.
• Additional info – This optional section can include professional memberships, awards, or hobbies and interests that showcase your suitability for the role.
  

Use bullet points to break down your experience into digestible highlights, and bold section headings to make each area distinct and easy to find. Choose a clean, legible font – not a jazzy one – and make sure your CV length doesn’t exceed two pages. A neat format not only shows professionalism, but also reflects the same structure and clarity you bring to your classroom and lesson delivery.

Your CV profile is your opening number – the moment to captivate the audience and give them a reason to keep reading. This short paragraph should strike the right balance between teacher and performer, showing how you blend subject expertise with an ability to inspire.

It’s not just about what you’ve taught – it’s about how you’ve built students’ confidence, created memorable performances, and turned musical theory into something students genuinely care about.

Make sure to include:

• Where you worked – Note whether you’ve taught in primary schools, secondary schools, academies, or private tuition
• Your top qualifications – Include your QTS status, PGCE, degree in Music, or specialist teaching certificates
• Essential skills – Classroom management, lesson planning, instrumental instruction, exam prep (e.g. ABRSM, Trinity)
• Musical focus – Highlight genres, instruments taught, or ensemble experience (choirs, bands, orchestras)
• Teaching strengths – Mention things like creating inclusive lessons, improving student performance, or running extracurriculars
  
  

This section gives hiring managers a quick look at your strongest teaching and musical abilities. List CV skills which highlight both your classroom strengths and your musical expertise.

Tailor this section to each role – one school might prioritise performance coaching, another might want curriculum planning or experience with SEND students.

Focus on specific teaching-related skills and avoid vague claims like “enthusiastic” or “passionate” – let your skills do the talking.

This is where you demonstrate how you’ve inspired students, managed lessons, and delivered music education that sticks. Whether you’ve taught in a formal classroom or run private music lessons, each entry should clearly explain your role and the impact you had.

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Use bullet points under each job to make it easy to scan and focus on outcomes – not just responsibilities.

And don’t forget: running choirs, arranging performances, or even leading school productions all count as experience worth sharing.

• Outline – Describe the school, age group taught, and your role within the department – for example, “Music Teacher at a secondary academy teaching KS3 to KS5 and leading GCSE prep.”
• Responsibilities – Use action verbs like “delivered” and “arranged.” For example: “delivered curriculum-based lessons across KS3–KS4” or “arranged end-of-year concerts and ensemble performances.” Mention classroom management, teaching tools, or exam boards used.
• Achievements – Highlight your achievements and impact with specific results: improved student grades, successful concert performances, or high ABRSM pass rates. Where possible, use numbers or outcomes (e.g. “raised GCSE music pass rate from 68% to 89%”).

Your education section should include your academic qualifications, teacher training, and any musical certifications. Schools want to see a blend of subject knowledge and teaching ability, so make sure both sides are represented.

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order. If you’re early in your career, you can also mention relevant modules or placements.