Violin Teaching Artist Job Description
Title: Violin Teaching Artist
Reports to: Director of Education
Start date: October 10th, 2023
Hours: Appx. 5-6 hours/week
Teaching hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:45-3:15pm (includes set-up & tear down time)
1 hr of Bi-weekly team meetings
1 hr of weekly lesson planning and communication
1 hr of full staff/faculty monthly meetings
Additional concert hours pending performance schedule
Pay Rate: $35/hour
Review process: The Violin Teaching Artist will participate in an in-depth annual review with the Director of Education.
Buffalo String Works’ Mission
Buffalo String Works mission is to ignite personal and community leadership through accessible, youth-centered music education.
BSW aims to cultivate a positive and safe culture that supports students’ development into curious, confident, and committed individuals who make a difference in their city: exemplary musicians who are also exemplary citizens. Our program is offered tuition-free and currently serves 100 students. We operate during the academic school year and provide summer programming.
Our vision: Neighborhoods united by empowered young musicians.
Job Description
The Violin Teaching Artist teaches beginner to intermediate level bass classes in semi-private and group class settings. Teaching Artists work collaboratively with Faculty Coordinators and colleagues to plan and execute daily lessons that support and advance the program goals articulated in the Buffalo String Works curriculum. Teaching Artists encourage and inspire students on the path of musical and personal growth, reflecting the core values of BSW: citizenship, rigor, inclusion, and empowerment. Reporting to the Director of Education, the Bass Teaching Artist role is a part-time, year-round position.
Responsibilities
- Setting up a new class of violin students, which would include starting a class of up to 5 students on the violin and helping them prepare music for concerts and in-school performances.
- Implement the violin curriculum as articulated by the BSW curriculum
- Complete weekly lesson plans and class reports
- Encourage learning in a positive environment that builds students’ self-esteem and confidence
- Participate in weekly team meetings and monthly faculty meetings
- Participate in ongoing professional development workshops pertaining to pedagogy, cultural humility, and other related topics
- Communicate and build rapport with parents and students in the class
- Supervise students at concerts
- Participation in approximately 2 concerts per semester, including playing/assisting/planning etc as needed, with the potential for more as scheduling allows.
Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)
- Demonstrate excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher and performer
- 4-year degree in Music or Fine Arts with specialization in stringed instruments, preferably violin
- Group class teaching experience preferred
- Ability to be a strong role model for youth during all working hours
- Strong commitment to the ideals and mission of El Sistema and Buffalo String Works
- Ability to communicate and work with multiple constituencies, diverse personalities, and populations
- Demonstrated experience working with communities of color
- Ability to work well on a team and in a high-pressure, multi-tasking environment, with strong communication skills
- Strong desktop computer skills (business professional level) and excellent time management and organizational skills
- Must pass background check
To apply: Please send a current resume and a short paragraph outlining your teaching philosophy to Andrew Borkowski: andrew@buffalostringworks.org
Buffalo String Works is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
