Music Facilitator

Position: Music Facilitator

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Salary: $35/hr

About El Puente

Founded in 1982, El Puente is a youth-centered organization that uses the arts and education to advance social and environmental justice. Its mission is to inspire and nurture leadership for peace and justice, working as a human rights institution in New York City and Puerto Rico with national and international impact. El Puente creates community-led movements of self-determination through a holistic leadership and membership program model, serving as a high-impact youth and community development organization.

The El Puente Leadership Centers are dynamic after-school youth and community development programs serving young people ages 6–21 through arts for social change, academic enrichment, leadership development, health and wellness, and community organizing. At El Puente, the arts are more than creative expression—they are a vehicle for education, healing, advocacy, and action.

Our programs are membership-based, not drop-in programs. Through our Membership Model, young people commit to a developmental journey that nurtures leadership, builds community, and empowers them to become agents of change.

Position Overview:

El Puente is seeking a passionate, collaborative, and community-centered Music Facilitator to inspire young people through music while integrating social justice, cultural identity, and creative expression into every lesson.

This facilitator will design and lead engaging music instruction focused on instrumental performance (preferably guitar and percussion), music composition, and music theory while creating opportunities for youth to explore their voices as artists and community leaders.

As part of El Puente's Arts and Cultural Organizing Collective (EPACOC), the Music Facilitator collaborates with artists across disciplines to develop multidisciplinary arts initiatives, community performances, and organization-wide projects that connect artistic practice with movements for peace, justice, and community healing.

The ideal candidate believes in the transformative power of the arts, values youth leadership, and enjoys building meaningful relationships with young people and families.

What You’ll Do:

• Inspire young people through engaging music instruction focused on instrumental performance (preferably guitar and percussion), music composition, music theory, and creative expression.
• Design culturally responsive lesson plans that connect music with social justice, cultural identity, and community issues, helping youth see the arts as a tool for leadership and change.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and energetic classroom where every young person feels encouraged to explore, collaborate, and build confidence through music.
• Guide youth through progressive skill development that culminates in performances, showcases, and community-centered artistic experiences.
• Collaborate with fellow Arts Facilitators through the El Puente Arts and Cultural Organizing Collective (EPACOC) to develop multidisciplinary arts projects, performances, and organization-wide cultural events.
• Contribute to large-scale arts initiatives, community activations, exhibitions, and immersive experiences that bring El Puente's mission to life.
• Adapt teaching strategies to meet the diverse learning styles, interests, and developmental needs of all participants.
• Encourage creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while fostering artistic growth and positive youth development.
• Create meaningful opportunities for youth to share their talents with families and the broader community through performances and special events.
• Maintain an organized inventory of instruments, supplies, and classroom materials while helping create an engaging and inspiring creative space.
• Build strong relationships with youth, families, colleagues, and site leadership through clear, consistent, and compassionate communication.
• Model leadership, accountability, collaboration, and respect while serving as a positive mentor and role model for young people.
• Support classroom assistants and volunteers by providing guidance and delegating responsibilities when appropriate.
• Ensure a safe, welcoming, and well-managed classroom environment where creativity can thrive.
• Complete program responsibilities including attendance, behavior documentation, supply requests, and other administrative reports that support program quality and compliance.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and organization-wide initiatives that strengthen El Puente's Membership Model and mission.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience teaching or facilitating music instruction with youth.
• Experience working with young people of diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities.
• Strong instrumental knowledge, preferably in guitar and percussion.
• Experience with music composition, music theory, and/or ensemble instruction.
• Passion for integrating music with youth development, cultural identity, and social justice education.
• Ability to build positive relationships with youth, families, and colleagues.
• Excellent communication, classroom management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary artistic teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music, Music Education, Arts Education, Youth Development, or a related field preferred.
• Experience facilitating community arts programming or arts-based youth development initiatives.
• Familiarity with restorative practices and culturally responsive teaching.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Experience performing or teaching multiple musical genres and traditions is a plus.

Schedule

This is a part-time, in-person position based in Brooklyn, NY.

• Mondays & Wednesdays
• Approximately 10 hours per week
• Additional hours may be available for performances, planning meetings, professional development, and special events.

Salary : $35