Description

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has several opportunities available for Seasonal Part-Time Contract Teaching Artists in our Kim Noltemy Young Musicians summer camp. One of many educational programs offered through the Dallas Symphony, Young Musicians is a music program designed to nurture and empower youth in southern Dallas and beyond. This position is ideal for music educators with experience in classroom management, music education students looking for teaching experience as well as performers with a passion for teaching.

The ideal Young Musicians Teaching Artist candidate is an expert on their instrument, has experience in classroom management, embraces challenges with creative problem-solving skills, and can communicate effectively and professionally with students, parents, school administration, other teachers, and Dallas Symphony staff. This position carries great responsibility as it influences and changes lives, promoting the power of music as a vehicle for social change in students’ lives. 

The selected candidate is assigned as the specialist in their instrument family (high strings, low strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion) Flexibility and a “can do” spirit are musts. Students will often be separated by instrument family for sectional rehearsals, but teachers are expected to be prepared to lead all instruments in an orchestral setting in an as needed basis in accordance with the Young Musicians/El Sistema educational philosophy. 

ABOUT THE KIM NOLTEMY YOUNG MUSICIANS PROGRAM

The teaching approach for this position is based in El Sistema, a Venezuelan philosophy and program that uses music as the vehicle for social change. El Sistema was created in the 1970s by Antonio Abreu, who revolutionized music education in Venezuela, and later around the world. Core principles of El Sistema music education include accessibility, collaboration, high musical standards, and community building. In collaboration with community partners, including Dallas ISD and Trinity Basin Preparatory, Young Musicians provides music education, instruments, and performance and mentorship opportunities at no cost to students and their families. Young Musicians is offered at five schools in southern Dallas, serving children from 1st through 8th grade.

The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians program offers recorder, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. Classes are divided into sectionals and orchestra with a focus on music theory and social/emotional learning. This methodology aims to simultaneously foster both students’ instrumental skills and creativity, as well as provide a caring, cooperative community with positive role models and high expectations. 

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

EOE- Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements

The qualified candidate will have: 

• A passion for working with youth and a desire to serve as a role model to students.
• Basic classroom management skills.
• Experience teaching beginners and intermediate to advanced level string students in a group setting.
• In-depth knowledge of intermediate- advanced music pedagogy and chamber music repertoire.
• Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills (required).
• Ability to speak positively about the DSO and the DSO's music education programs.
• Ability to positively represent the DSO education programs in the community.
• A degree in music or music education and bilingual is a plus.
• Legal authorization to provide services to the Dallas Symphony without sponsorship or employment verification for visa purposes.

This contract position pays $50 per hour. Time commitment and consistency are of the essence. Summer camp is three weeks from July 9 through July 26 or 27. You may be hired for one, two, or three of the sessions listed below:

1. July 9-26, Tuesdays-Fridays 9am-12:15pm
2. July 9-26, Tuesdays-Fridays 1-4:15pm
3. July 9, 15, 27 Saturdays 9am-12:15pm

Teachers are expected to arrive at least 10 minutes early to prepare their classrooms for an appropriate teaching environment.