Young Musicians Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

Since 1955, The Young Musicians Foundation’s (YMF) mission is to empower under-served, frequently marginalized students to find creativity, connection and joy through music. YMF’s Teaching Artists are at the heart of our organization’s mission by providing tuition-free weekly music instruction to students and community members. Our accessible and responsive approach to vocal, instrumental, music technology, and general music instruction reaches students ages 4 to adult across Los Angeles through partnerships with under-resourced schools and community programs covering a 195-square-mile area in greater Los Angeles.

Position Summary:

The Teaching Artist, reporting to the Program Manager is responsible for music instruction for their assigned school site(s). The Teaching Artist will ensure the highest quality learning experience for students participating in YMF programs by creating group lesson plans that: Address and integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) learning standards; are highly engaging, build skills, are culturally affirming; and create a safe classroom environment that cultivates the holistic growth of students. This position will also collaborate with classroom teachers, administrators, staff, students, parents, and community.

Location:

As of March 16th, 2020, and until further notice, all YMF programming will be conducted via remote-learning through either video-based instruction and/or through the implementation of asynchronous materials. All concerts, events, and professional development opportunities will also be held virtually until further notice.

YMF is working closely with our partners to evaluate if and when we can resume in-person programming, pending guidance from healthcare professionals and the LA county Department of Public Health. This will be on a site-by-site basis, however all applicants should plan to accommodate resumption of in-person programming for the 2021-2022 school year.

Hours: 

We are currently hiring for the 2021-2022 school year programming. Hours and placements vary depending on the location of site(s) assigned. 

Instructional Areas:

We’re currently looking for Teaching Artists who specialize in the following areas: 

• Vocal Music & Chorus
• Music Technology & Production
• General Music (K-5)
• Guitar, Ukulele, and/or Songwriting
• Keyboard/Piano

If you are interested in applying but are unable to teach in one of these areas, you may still submit an application for us to keep on file.

Compensation: 

• $60 per hour for in-person or video/remote based live instruction
• $20 per hour for professional development
• $35 per hour for concerts and program events as required

You are:

• Experienced working with students from diverse and/or underserved communities in a classroom or group setting
• Able to challenge Euro-centric structures inherent in the music education system and actively explore traditional and modern intersections of music across diverse cultural perspectives
• Knowledgeable of a variety of diverse and culturally responsive repertoire, curriculum, and pedagogy as related to specialty instrument(s) (if applying to teach instrumental/vocal music)
• Experienced with classroom management and organizational techniques that emphasize a positive, anti-bias approach to supporting students 
• Comfortable teaching both in-person and via remote, video instruction
• Punctual, organized, and able to provide a consistent, dedicated, and responsive music instruction 
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) and have ability to excel as part of a team

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a safe and nurturing environment for students
• Develop and facilitate music lessons either in-person or via video-based instruction 
• Track and maintain student attendance as required
• Create detailed substitute lesson plans and arrange for substitute coverage as needed
• Additional duties as required

Desired Qualifications:

• Interest in personal growth as an artist educator within a community of like-minded, talented individuals
• Experience with a restorative justice approach to discipline and classroom management
• Ability to differentiate instruction to address a variety of unique student learning styles
• Collaborative and flexible approach to teaching
• A four-year undergraduate degree holder in music/music education and/or equivalent experience; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus 
• Bilingual in Spanish

Physical and Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds
• Must be able to climb 4 flights of stairs
• Must have reliable transportation

We highly value a diverse team and an equitable work environment where every member of our team is set up to thrive. We have taken steps to nurture this environment including an Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion Committee that leads work to transform injustice within the organization. We expect all team members to take responsibility for co-creating an equitable work community where everyone is able to do impactful, world-changing work. We review our policies and practices for equity frequently. 

We encourage you to apply if this job sounds like a good fit for you and vice versa, even if you don’t feel as if you meet all the qualifications/requirements. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, people of color, parents, are/have been system impacted, have different abilities, are immigrants and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and gender-based violence is encouraged to apply. We also encourage you to apply if this job sounds like a good fit for you and vice versa, even if you don’t feel as if you meet all the qualifications/requirements.”

How to Apply:

Please complete your application by using the Teaching Artist Application form.

Application Deadline: Friday, August 13th, 2021