Class Instructor - Orange County, CA

Down For Dance (DFD) is growing & seeking passionate experienced instructors & substitutes so that we can continue to expand our commUNITY & make this program as accessible as possible. We look forward to meeting you! 

Title: Instructor & Substitute Instructors for Immediate Hire

In-Person Locations: Throughout Orange County, CA

Online Location: Zoom 

Classes are conducted in-studio with a set-up provided by DFD, with all students & tech support participating remotely.

Our Mission: To empower individuals of all abilities to build a stronger sense of self through dance & the arts. 

Our Vision: To spread DFD across the globe so that all abilities have access to high quality dance & arts programming. 

DFD is seeking innovative, professional teaching artists that bring creativity to the forefront & offer students the space & freedom to fly, for the following styles:

• Hip Hop
• Musical Theater
• Jazz Contemporary
• Ballet
• Yoga

If you specialize in additional styles, we’d love to hear about them!  

Classes run Mondays through Thursdays, approximately 12:45 - 6:45pm & we offer sessions year-round. Hired instructors & substitutes will not work all days & times. The hours listed are our general hours of operation. This position could range anywhere from 2 - 8 hours per week & may increase with desired/interested commitment level, experience & time.

• Winter / Spring session: January - June (20 week session)
• Summer session: July - August (6 week session)
• Fall session: September - December (12 week session)

Your Impact: DFD’s In-Person & Online Class Instructors will teach year-round classes. 

Specific activities/tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Lead & instruct class(es)
• Prepare for class(es)
• Develop curriculum & create class content/choreography that  inspires & challenges students (alongside Artistic Director) 
• Provide instruction of classes & support to students while encouraging them to grow
• Proactively & consistently research music for class use
• Review class profiles & student lists prior to the start of every session
• Arrive to each class 20 minutes early & remain engaged for the duration of the class
• Record attendance for each class
• Reach out to parent(s)/guardian(s),when needed
• Communicate with volunteers to get to know, include, integrate, educate, train, lead & evaluate their experience
• Consistently attend designated class(es) outside of your own as a way to continue training & professional development
• Attend performances & events relevant to your specific classes
• Additional class-related administrative tasks
• Consistently check emails & respond in a timely manner
• Maintain open communication with Executive Director & Artistic Director
• Increased responsibility may come with experience & time

What We're Looking For: 

• Personable, enthusiastic, patient, comfortable speaking in a group environment & a deep passion for working with the disability community
• Has the knowledge to provide technical training in a safe way that protects bodies, muscles, joints, etc., & understands the need to demonstrate strong big dynamic movement, positions, pictures, poses, etc. 
• Leans into thinking outside of the box in terms of teaching approach generally & with customized plans for each student
• Committed & dedicated to cultivating their own unique place within the organization
• Punctual
• MUST be based in Southern California & have reliable transportation for easy travel to DFD rental studios
• MUST have own laptop computer, music & any supplies needed
• Experience teaching in an online environment, preferred but not required
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Previous dance instruction required
• 5 years of dance instruction, preferred

Salary Range: $35.00 - $45.00 per hour, DOE

Who We Are: DFD is driven by a deep passion to develop high quality arts programming to those populations where it is not always accessible. In the summer of 2017, DFD became a nonprofit organization, with 2 weekly in-person dance classes serving about 20 dancers total. We are humbled by the growth that would not have been possible without the support of our DFD commUNITY.

DFD currently serves over 215 students across 23 states, with both an in-person & online program. With the launch of our online program in summer 2020, we were able to expand beyond dance & now also offer art & yoga.

With a global vision, we stand strong in our commitment to continue to expand this program in order to achieve even greater accessibility. 

Core Values

Connection:

• We connect the Down syndrome commUNITY & all abilities through movement & art.
• We advocate for inclusion and celebrate diversity by fostering a sense of belonging.
• We strive to make our programming accessible to all.

Expansion:

• We are shifting the community’s perspective at large as to what IS possible when you have a different ability.
• We use creativity & collaboration to guide us through all our work, as it can illuminate infinite possibilities and ideas.

Heart:

• We practice & preach kindness, empathy & compassion.
• We cultivate an environment where artists feel safe to take risks & express what is truly in their hearts.
• We believe in celebrating hard work & accomplishments of all sizes.
• We encourage everyone to TRY, while highlighting the importance of FUN! 

Commitment:

• To self: We value self-care & cultivate an environment where this is a priority.
• To others: We lead with integrity, which in turn nurtures the gift of deep mutual respect. 

Interested in working with us? Send your resume to info@downfordance.org.