DALE Intern - Class Saxophone Instruction

DALE Internship Opportunity – Fall 2025
Focus Area: Class Saxophone Instruction & Community Music School Leadership

The DALE Internship Program is a partnership between the MSU College of Music and the Community Music School–Detroit (CMS-D). This funded internship offers MSU music majors the opportunity to develop their pedagogical, leadership, and arts administration skills in a real-world community music setting.

Position Title: DALE Intern – Class Saxophone Instruction
Semester: Fall 2025
Location: Community Music School – Detroit
Hours: Approx. 8.5 hours per week | 8–10 Saturdays per semester
Pay: $15/hr + up to $500 travel stipend (Zipcar or personal mileage)

Start Date: Saturday, September 13th 

About the Role:
This internship blends 70% in-class instruction and 30% leadership/administrative learning. The intern will assist with and eventually lead saxophone instruction in a class setting for youth participants. They will also gain direct experience with operations, youth safety, and community engagement through CMS-D’s leadership model.

Weekly Schedule Overview:
Saturdays at CMS-D:

8:30–9:00AM: Setup and classroom prep

9:00–11:00AM: Saxophone class instruction (Observation → Assistance → Teaching)

11:00AM–12:00PM: Youth safety and arts administration responsibilities

12:00–1:00PM: Lunch

1:00–3:00PM: Youth safety and customer service desk responsibilities

Weekday Components:

1-hour weekly leadership/advisory meeting with Paola Smith (via Zoom)

1-hour assigned reading or reflection related to music education or nonprofit leadership

Intern Onboarding:
All interns are required to attend an in-person orientation on the first Saturday of the semester. This session includes training in policies, youth safety, classroom observation, and introduction to CMS-D staff and spaces.

Eligibility and Selection:

Open to undergraduate or graduate music majors at MSU

Candidates must have completed relevant saxophone pedagogy coursework

Students currently in their student teaching semester are ineligible

Finalists will be interviewed by CMS-D staff and MSU faculty

Learning Outcomes:

Gain hands-on experience designing and delivering class saxophone instruction

Understand curriculum planning in a community-based music program

Develop leadership and administrative skills in a nonprofit arts setting

Strengthen professional communication with families, staff, and students

Important Notes:

Interns will complete a learning contract, mid-semester evaluation, and final evaluation

Regular weekly check-ins with CMS-D supervisors are expected

Weather flexibility is built into the schedule; students may reschedule travel due to inclement conditions with 24-hour notice

Questions?
Contact Nicholas Dold, Running Start Assistant Director
Email: doldnich@msu.edu