Description
Summer Festival Assistant Sitka Music Festival Sitka, Alaska
Seasonal Full-Time Position Position open until filled
About the Sitka Music Festival
The Sitka Music Festival is Alaska’s premier chamber music presenter and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1972 by violinist Paul Rosenthal, the Festival is now celebrating its 55th Summer Music Festival in 2026. For over five decades, the Festival has brought world-class chamber music to over 40 communities across Alaska—including remote villages off the road system—while fostering deep cultural exchange between visiting artists and Alaskans.
Our Mission: The Sitka Music Festival inspires audiences, sparks creativity, and strengthens community across Alaska through live chamber music performances, music education, and training by artists of the highest caliber.
Under the leadership of Grammy-winning Artistic Director Zuill Bailey, the Festival presents a four-week summer season in Sitka anchored at the Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall, along with year-round programming that reaches Anchorage, Ketchikan, Wasilla, Fairbanks and many other communities.
Position Overview
The Sitka Music Festival is seeking a Summer Festival Assistant to support the 55th Summer Music Festival (June 1–28, 2026) and related activities. This is a seasonal, full-time, non-exempt position that runs through July 3, 2026. The role is based in Sitka, Alaska, and reports to the Executive Director.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Summer Festival Assistant is responsible for:
- Working closely with the Artistic Director and visiting artists to coordinate rehearsal needs and stage needs for all performance spaces.
- Helping to set up and tear down for donor events and post-concert receptions.
- Maintaining a clean and fully operational facility, with assistance from the housekeeping staff.
- Picking up and dropping off artists at the Sitka airport (valid driver’s license required).
- Distributing flyers and promotional materials around town.
- Drafting correspondence and assisting with ticket sales as needed.
- Additional duties may be assigned to support the successful execution of the Festival.
Qualifications
Required:
Frequent lifting and moving of objects weighing 25 lbs or more.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Preferred:
Experience with performing arts and stage management is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
Hourly rate: $20.00 per hour.
Overtime: Eligible for overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a workweek, in accordance with Alaska wage and hour law.
Transportation: Round-trip flights (if necessary) and local transportation to Sitka, Alaska, will be provided.
Housing: On-site housing at the Miner Music Center / Stevenson Hall will be provided at no cost during the employment period.
This position is subject to all applicable federal and Alaska labor laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and record-keeping requirements.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Sitka Music Festival is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis in compliance with the Alaska Human Rights Act and all other applicable statutes.
Employment with the Sitka Music Festival is at-will, meaning either the employee or the employer may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, except as otherwise required by law.
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Festival reserves the right to revise this document or the actual duties of the position as needed.
How to Apply
Please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and three references to Alexander Serio at Alex@sitkamusicfestival.org with “Summer Festival Assistant” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
