Job Description

Ravinia is contracting working professional musicians to provide musical residencies in schools. The ideal Teaching Artist will be comfortable collaborating with classroom teachers in designing, planning and implementing creative music residencies for K-3rd grade students. Teaching artists are responsible for ensuring that basic music concepts are taught through song and musical activities. Teaching Artists visit each classroom once a week during the 15, 10 or 5 week residencies. Contracted hours vary, depending on length of school residencies and number of classrooms assigned. Teaching Artists report to Associate Directors and are paid for classroom visits at an hourly rate: rehearsals, performances and meetings are paid at different flat rates. During the year, Teaching Artists are required to attend the Teacher and Artist Professional Development Institute (August 2 & 3, 2022), September 10, 2 after-school follow up workshops (fall and spring) and 2 artist meetings (fall and spring).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Introduce musical concepts in weekly lessons by integrating them into classroom curriculum once a week through 15, 10 & 5 week residencies

• Teach students to sing songs and play simple rhythm instruments

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to design, plan and implement residency unit and musical lessons

• Work with the classroom teachers to create weekly lesson plans in accordance to the overall theme of their residency

• Present  a culminating performance at school and at Ravinia featuring students singing and playing classroom instruments 

• Attend and participate in the Teacher and Artist Professional Development Institute (August 2 & 3, September 10, 2022) and workshops during the school year, as well as any additional Teaching Artist meetings,  activities and rehearsals

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong background in music education and music performance Passionate about working with Kindergarten-3rd grade students and classroom teachers in under resourced communities 
• Comfortable collaborating with classroom teachers, students and other musicians
• Understanding of large city public school environment 
• Basic understanding of K-3 children’s developmental levels
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with educators, school administrators, students and Ravinia Associate Directors
• Creative thinker, flexible and adaptive, able to learn and incorporate new strategies
• Reliable and punctual
• Must have transportation

Qualifications

• Professional performing musician (All genres welcome)
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent field experience in  music education or performance 
• Ability to read music 
• Experience teaching music or performing for young children
• Experience working in public school elementary classroom setting is a plus

Additional Information

Interested applicants must attach a cover letter with resume in one document/file

No phone calls please