Executive Artistic Director

Lead the Louisville Youth Choir Into Its Next Chapter!

The Louisville Youth Choir (LYC) is seeking an engaging, collaborative, and highly organized Executive Artistic Director to serve as the organization’s artistic and operational leader. LYC is beginning its search now to identify its next leader with the goal of beginning onboarding and transition activities in spring 2027 and fully assuming the Executive Artistic Director role on July 1, 2027. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented choral conductor and music educator who is also motivated by building relationships, growing programs, and helping the arts thrive.

The Executive Artistic Director provides artistic vision and youth music education while leading LYC's day-to-day operations. This is a hands-on position in a small nonprofit environment. The successful candidate will move comfortably between leading rehearsals, planning concert seasons, communicating with families, recruiting singers, managing a budget, preparing grants, supporting donors, and meeting with community partners.

About Louisville Youth Choir

Founded in 1967, LYC provides young singers from across the Louisville region with high-quality choral music education and performance opportunities. Through diverse programs and concert selections, LYC helps students grow as musicians, performers, leaders, and community members. The organization serves singers from kindergarten through high school through multiple ensembles and also supports an adult summer choir.

What You Will Lead

· Artistic and educational leadership: Set artistic direction, plan seasons and age-appropriate repertoire, conduct designated ensembles, and support the musical and personal growth of young singers.

· Organizational leadership: Oversee day-to-day administration, calendars, auditions, performances, staff, contractors, systems, records, and program logistics.

· Enrollment and community engagement: Retain and recruit singers, build relationships with schools and music educators, and strengthen LYC's visibility throughout the Louisville region.

· Financial management and development: Build and manage the budget with the Board; prepare and manage grants; support donors, fundraising, and sustainable revenue.

· Communications and relationships: Communicate clearly with families and the Board while cultivating trusted relationships across the arts, education, nonprofit, and civic communities.

· Strategy and Board partnership: Work with the Board to establish priorities, improve systems, and shape LYC's next chapter.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in music, music education, conducting, or a closely related field.

· Demonstrated success in choral conducting and music education, with substantial experience working with children and adolescents across stages of vocal development.

· Strong knowledge of choral repertoire, age-appropriate programming, diction, culturally informed practice, and vocal development.

· Ability to conduct and lead singers effectively, plus piano proficiency for score preparation and open-score reading.

· Excellent organization, prioritization, project-management, and communication skills.

· Ability to build and manage a budget and demonstrated capacity to prepare or manage grants.

· Ability to work independently, shift between artistic and executive responsibilities, and build trusted relationships with varied stakeholders.

· Commitment to inclusive, accessible, mission-driven, and student-centered music education.

Preferred Qualifications

· Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent advanced experience.

· Experience with nonprofit operations, budgeting, staff supervision, grant writing, fundraising, donor relations, enrollment growth, or Board partnership.

· Established Louisville or Kentucky arts and education relationships, or a demonstrated ability to build comparable networks quickly.

· Experience with digital communications and common nonprofit tools such as WordPress, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, QuickBooks Online, Canva, and donor or ticketing platforms.

What Success Looks Like

During the first year, the Executive Artistic Director will focus on building trust, maintaining artistic and operational continuity, retaining and growing enrollment, continuing critical funding relationships, operating within the approved budget, strengthening LYC's community visibility, and partnering with the Board on a sustainable strategic direction.

Schedule and Work Environment

This is a full-time, exempt role with a flexible and seasonally variable office/remote schedule and substantial in-person responsibilities. Tuesday evening rehearsals are regular during the performance season. Evening and weekend work is required for concerts, auditions, meetings, fundraising activities, and community events. Local travel is expected, particularly for school outreach and recruitment.

Compensation and Benefits

The Executive Artistic Director position offers a starting salary of at least $50,000, with final compensation based on experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, LYC provides health insurance and retirement savings stipends. The EAD is also provided with a work phone and benefits from a flexible work schedule that reflects the needs and seasonality of the organization.

Paid time off is offered with flexibility and coordinated in partnership with the Board to support both the Executive Artistic Director and the organization’s programming and operational needs.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume by 10/03/2026 .

The Louisville Youth Choir is committed to an inclusive workplace and to providing equal employment opportunity.

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Youth Chorus: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Louisville, KY 40206 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Louisville, KY 40206