Position: Low Strings Teaching Artist (1 position)
Site: Carver Elementary School
Status: Part-Time
Pay: Salaried, starting at $9498, private lessons opportunities and summer pay may be available; yearly step raises
Employment Period: 8 teaching hrs. per week (September-June)
Start Date: September (Summer work may be available)
Benefits: Paid personal days, paid dental insurance, Simple IRA with employer match
Reports to: Carver Program Manager
Close Date: Until Filled
About Soundscapes at Carver Elementary:
Carver is Soundscapes’ first Daily Program site, established in 2009. The site focuses on helping students build their musical and social skills through a nine-dimension developmental rubric. Carver focuses mainly on the Classical genre and has four programmatic levels: Level 1 – Music Readiness; Level 2 – Instrument Readiness; Level 3 – Ensemble Readiness; Level 4 – Individual Readiness.
Position Summary:
The String Teaching Artist’s primary responsibility is to teach proper instrument technique to our Level 2 (beginner), Level 3 (intermediate), and Level 4 (intermediate/advanced) cello and string bass students. The Strings Teaching Artist should be available Mondays and Fridays from 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm and Tuesday through Thursday from 3:45 pm to 6:15 pm. The Low Strings Teaching Artist will be expected to pass company background checks and company training. There is a minimum of 12 hours of initial orientation and ongoing meetings.
Carver Elementary School is at 6160 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA. This position would be joining a team of teaching artists whose passions lie in building a more robust framework for student lives through the study of music.
Responsibilities:
- Act as a role model for students
- Consistently hold high standards for student musicians
- Teach proper instrument technique
- Prepare appropriate pieces for performance
- Perform for students regularly
- Assist during snack time
- Assist between session transitions
- Attend field trips when required
- Keep a record of student progress
- Communicate student’s progress to parents/guardians
- Attend professional development sessions and organizational meetings
- Attend required performances
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Minimum four years experience in string pedagogy and performance
- Desire to work within a social change environment
- Classroom management skills using patience and understanding
- Ability to interact and communicate clearly with a variety of ages (1st grade through Adults)
- Great interpersonal skills
- Highly Organized
- Self-starter
- Punctual
- Familiarity with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Classroom
- Reliable Transportation
- Employment is contingent upon a background check
- Must be able to work some nights and weekends due to performances or trips
- Finalists will teach and perform on their principal instrument at the interview.
Application Procedure:
To apply, please email a resume/curriculum vita and a letter of interest to:
Rebecca Kim, Carver Program Manager
rkim@soundscapeshr.org
Mission:
To invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging music-making and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills.
Our Values:
Impact: At the heart of Soundscapes’ success is the strong belief in the power of music education to change lives and the understanding that all children have valuable contributions to make both musically and to our community.
Community: Soundscapes relies on a strong public-private partnership with Newport News Public Schools, as well as individual and business supporters, to give back to the community by reaching individual students in a way that they grow not only in musical quality but in positive behavior, civic leadership, and academic curiosity.
Equity: Soundscapes believes all students have the right to reach their full potential.
Excellence: Soundscapes holds our staff, our teachers, our board, the schools, our students, and our educational values to the highest standards.
Sustainability: Soundscapes is committed to sustaining free musical instruction and performance opportunities for all youth in first grade through age twenty-five through sound fiscal responsibility; dedicated teachers, families, staff, and school leaders; and cherished partnerships with our kind donors, political leaders, business leaders, and community friends.
Fun: Soundscapes believes in giving our students an exciting and engaging experience while increasing their exposure to the world and music education in a safe, inspiring environment.
El Sistema:
Soundscapes is inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in over 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to build skills young people need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest organization in the United States, inspired by El Sistema, the first in Virginia, and a leader among American programs.
Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA, and several staff members have served on the ESUSA Board of Directors. This national alliance provides opportunities for members to share resources, values, aspirations, and advocacy efforts.
For more information about Soundscapes, please visit our website at www.soundscapeshr.org