Youth Ballet Instructor (Early Childhood & Elementary)

Job Summary: 

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a creative, patient, and inspiring Youth Ballet Instructor to join our Dance Department. We are looking for an educator who specializes in teaching ballet to children, ranging from early childhood (creative movement) through elementary and teen levels. The ideal candidate is passionate about introducing young movers to the fundamentals of ballet through a lens of joy, musicality, and storytelling. Utilizing the Old Town School’s community-focused model, this position relies on a teacher’s ability to foster a non-competitive, imaginative, and nurturing environment that builds both technical foundations and a lifelong love for dance.

Essential Functions:

• Teach group ballet classes for children and teens, including mini-dancers, creative movement, pre-ballet, and leveled technique classes.




• Develop age-appropriate lesson plans that balance foundational ballet technique (alignment, turnout, positions) with imaginative play and creative expression.




• Adapt teaching styles to meet the developmental milestones of various age groups, ensuring classes are engaging, safe, and physically appropriate.




• Incorporate musicality and rhythmic awareness into instruction, utilizing a variety of global music traditions in alignment with the Old Town School’s mission.




• Manage classroom dynamics effectively, ensuring a supportive and inclusive space for children of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles.




• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding student progress, class expectations, and school traditions.




• Participate in and prepare students for Old Town School community events, such as informal class sharings and seasonal performances.




• Available to teach weekend mornings and/or weekday afternoons/evenings.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Strong proficiency in ballet technique and a deep understanding of pediatric dance pedagogy.




• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into "kid-friendly" imagery and cues.




• High level of energy, patience, and enthusiasm for working with young children and families.




• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build a sense of community and belonging within a youth cohort.




• Ability to demonstrate movements clearly and safely while maintaining constant supervision and engagement with the class.

Required Education and Experience:

• Relevant training or certification in Ballet (e.g., ABT Certified Teacher, Cecchetti, or equivalent professional dance background).




• Proven experience leading dance or movement classes specifically for children under the age of 12.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Dance, Dance Education, Early Childhood Education, or equivalent professional experience.




• Minimum of two years of teaching experience in a youth-focused dance studio or community arts setting.




• Experience in "Creative Movement" curriculum development for toddlers and preschoolers.




• Bilingual Spanish is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Ability to teach in person at both Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square locations.




• Saturday and/or Sunday morning availability is highly preferred.




• Must pass a standard background check for working with minors.

Physical Requirements:

• The position requires the ability to see, hear, and perform sustained physical activity including jumping, stretching, and floor work.




• Must be able to physically demonstrate ballet positions and movements repeatedly for the duration of the class (45–60 minutes).




• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds (e.g., assisting a small child or moving dance props/mats).

Work is performed in a dance studio or multi-purpose classroom with exposure to music, children, parents, and fluorescent lighting.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: $37.00/hourly

To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

About Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (“OTSFM”) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non-profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides various music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, including world-class concert halls, classrooms, an award-winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated throughout the pandemic. Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available at oldtownschool.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that reflects the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community-focused organization.

EEO statement

Old Town School is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. Old Town School strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community focused organization.