Vocal Performance Major with Music Education Minor?

Question

If you major in vocal performance and minor in music education, can you still get jobs as a music teacher if you ever decide to stop being a performer?

Answer 1

You can still get it, but you may have to comply with your states' certification laws. It may involve a series of classes involving certification.

Don't rule out giving private lessons. You don't need any certification, and can make a lot more money on an hourly basis.

Answer 2

I would think so, absolutely. Since your performance credit wouldn't qualify you in any way for a teaching position (take it from someone who has one!), your qualification would rest solely on your minor degree, and I think you could probably get a teaching job even without that.

Here in Florida, there'll take anyone with a college degree and a clean record who wants to be a teacher, and certify them while they're teaching. No special education degree required. With the teacher shortage in this country, you should be fine. Just don't expect to just teach music; you'll most likely have to teach several subjects, and you'll be lucky to find a school that still offers a music program.