The ELM Teaching Artist Assistantship is for violinists who have a passion for not only performing, but for education and to inspire the next generation of students to learn to love and appreciate music, while upholding ELM’s philosophy and mission of music for all.
Position Summary
The Assistant Teaching Artist (TA) is responsible for attending assigned class hours each week to shadow and learn from our lead teacher at ELM. The TA will learn how to teach beginning group violin classes and ensure the highest quality of class experiences for our students. TA will follow ELM curriculum and pedagogy in collaboration with other ELM music faculty and uphold ELM’s philosophy to support each child holistically and help facilitate community and family engagement.
After successful completion of the year apprenticeship, we are looking for the participant to consider working with us as a Teaching Artist for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Hours of the Apprenticeship: Approximately 3-10 hours weekdays: Tuesdays 3:30-6:30pm, Wednesdays 2:15-5:00pm, Thursdays 3:30-6:30pm. Potential for additional teaching hours and subbing as needed. If you are a current college graduate student or in your final year or semester of school, we can work with your schedule if you can’t make all of the class days.
Paid training compensation: $60/hour for teaching, depends on experience; $25/hour for meetings, other training or administrative work if applicable.
Dates: Starting now, upon hire
Location: San Rafael, California. In person teaching and training.
Skills & Experience
Teaching Artists will have either a Bachelor or Advanced Degree in Music or the Fine Arts (or will be close to completion) and specialize in one or more instruments and/or pedagogy (such as Orff, Suzuki or Kodaly). TAs will have experience or will gain experience through the ELM Apprenticeship for teaching individual and/or ensemble music to young children and a strong commitment to offering high quality music education in a context that prioritizes the social and emotional context of the children and their families.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
As an ELM Teaching Artist, responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Teaching group violin classes with main focus of working with students ages 8-12 years old, in group violin classes of 12 or less students
- Collaborating with ELM faculty to create a shared curriculum, pedagogy and culture inspired by the ideals of El Sistema and to support students holistically
- Attending periodic check-ins with the String Teaching Team led by Lead Teaching Artist and/or Music Program Director
- Assisting as needed with the full orchestra rehearsals; playing in the section, help students individually, collaborate with the ELM conductor
- Participating in major concerts and dress rehearsals and other events as requested
- Being present for any parent/teacher meetings necessary to resolve behavior issues
- Developing and maintaining method of assessing student musical progress
- Lesson planning for the groups and sessions for which you are responsible
- Teaching general musicianship and theory as part of the group classes
- Arranging music parts for your classes as needed
- Overseeing the violins on loan to our students. Helping them to learn and continue good care habits for their violin, recommending size changes as needed, keeping an eye out for damage and maintenance issues, and bringing needs to the attention of Lead Teachers and the ELM Music Program Director
Qualifications
- Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer
- Adherence to ELM’s commitment to the social and emotional well-being of our students
- Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus
- Experience teaching group string classes to youth/children
- Suzuki Training and Certification is highly desired for teachers of our beginning string classes (especially for Suzuki Levels 1 & 2)
- Strong knowledge of ensemble repertoire, curriculum, pedagogy
- Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
- Interest in and ability to be a motivational mentor/role model for students, parents, interns and peers as an artist, citizen and teacher
- Ability to work under frequent observation; collaborate with peers and both give and receive constructive feedback when needed
- Experience leading and conducting ensembles is a plus
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
Expectations:
- Hold yourself and your students to the highest possible standards as a role model of professionalism, focus and organization
- Be organized and punctual, come early enough to be prepared to start each class on time
- Be prepared before each class with music, materials and teaching intent
- Be collaborative, open to new ideas, flexible, inclusive, and good humored
- Be open to feedback and the artistic development process.
- Respond to phone calls and emails within 24-48 hours as appropriate
Visit our website www.elmprogram.org to learn more about our program.
Please send a cover letter and resumé to christina@elmprogram.org
