Cello Instructor, SR Lake County

Ravinia Festival; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Cello Instructor to join their innovative music education program. This role involves teaching and mentoring elementary students in cello techniques and music theory, fostering a love for music while promoting social change through education. The ideal candidate will inspire students and collaborate with a team to create engaging lesson plans that support holistic development. This part-time position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of young musicians in a vibrant community setting.

Qualifications

• Experience working with youth orchestras or in El Sistema music education.
• Ability to motivate and mentor students from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Teach cello repertoire and technique through sectionals and studios.
• Engage students with creative lesson plans for social and musical growth.
• Assess student progress and ensure curriculum alignment.

Skills

Enthusiasm for El Sistema

Interpersonal skills

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in music

2-3 years related work experience

Job description

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Company Description

Ravinia embraces diversity in all forms and is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff, musicians, guest artists, audiences, and community members. Ravinia is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.

Job Description

About the Program:

Sistema Ravinia is an intensive orchestral music education program that provides daily music training for students at several schools in the Lake County area. Participating students meet after school throughout the year at their nucleo (program site) and are taught in sectionals and full orchestra. Shaped by the philosophy of the noted El Sistema model, Ravinia has embraced the notion of transforming groups of children into communities of musicians who in turn transform their communities. Students receive mentorship from teachers and administrators that make them feel loved and valued as an asset to their nucleo community.

Launched in 2012 at Catalyst Circle Rock School in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood (now multiple schools in the area), Sistema Ravinia expanded to serve Lake County and other Ravinia-neighboring schools in 2015—hosting rehearsals in Bennett Gordon Hall—as well as Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood in 2020.

Position Summary

The Cello Instructor will teach students in small (cello studios) and large groups (low string sectionals) of elementary students participating in the Sistema Ravinia Lake County nucleo. The Cello Instructor reports to the Program Manager and will be part of a team of instructors that will inspire all participating students and be responsible for maintaining a standard of excellence and upholding the values and mission for Sistema Ravinia. The ideal candidate will be an extraordinary teacher, artist, mentor, and model for Sistema Ravinia students. This role is a part-time, hourly instructional seasonal employee position.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach repertoire, technique and music theory through cello sectionals and cello studios
• Assist with large ensemble rehearsals as needed
• Facilitate with a team of teachers daily transitions on site including student movement between snack time, rehearsals, and dismissal
• Record attendance with a team of teachers and report community attendance concerns to the Site Coordinator
• Communicate student behavioral, musical, and social challenges with administration
• Foster student empowerment and focus on the holistic education of each child
• Engage students through the development and implementation of creative lesson plans that foster social and musical growth
• Active participation and collaboration in term planning and professional learning sessions to help create and implement an innovative curriculum and pedagogy that supports each child holistically
• Assess student progress and ensure curriculum alignment on an ongoing basis

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Enthusiasm for El Sistema and its philosophy of social change through music
• Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and community
• Superior interpersonal skills

Education and Experience

• Experience working with groups of children, youth orchestras, or in the El Sistema music education model
• Experience and desire to work with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
• Bachelor’s degree in music or 2-3 years related work experience

Work Environment

• The regular teaching schedule for this position is as follows: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 2:45-5:45pm at Glen Flora Elementary School (1110 Chestnut St., Waukegan, IL), Mondays 2:45-5:45pm at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. Some evenings and weekends may be required for concerts and special events; these dates will be communicated at the start of each program term.
• Sistema Ravinia programming runs throughout the school year and 3 weeks during the summer.
• Interaction with young students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount

Compensation

$50 per hour for instructional time and $25 per hour for non-instructional time (meetings, professional development, and curriculum development).

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. We strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level

Employment Type: Part-time

Job Function: Education and Training

Industries: Music