Dance Instructor

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal YMCA membership

YMCA360 access

Paid sick leave

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Wellness program

LifeMart discounts

Professional training & certification

20% program/merchandise discount

Job summary

YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking a part-time Dance Instructor at Mel Korum Family YMCA in Puyallup, WA. The role involves leading beginner through advanced dance cohorts, developing progression-based lesson plans, and guiding students toward confidence and skill growth.

The position emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and collaboration with the arts director, parents, and staff to deliver engaging experiences and seasonal performances.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 16 years or older.
• 5+ years formal dance training or comparable experience.
• 1–2 years experience as a dance teacher or teaching assistant.
• Ability to create engaging lesson plans reflecting age, ability, and YMCA curricula.

Responsibilities

• Lead dance technique classes and demonstrate positive dance principles.
• Create progressive lesson plans aligned with ages and YMCA curricula.
• Choreograph and contribute to recitals and YMCA events.
• Communicate student progress to youth/arts director and members.

Skills

Dance experience

Teaching

Child & youth work

Background checks

Education

Minimum age 16

Job description

Position: Dance Instructor

Wage: $17.13 to $18.63 per hour (Compensation is determined based on relevant experience, skills, and qualifications, with most new hires starting between the minimum and midpoint of the posted wage range)

Hours: Part-Time, Up to 25 hours per week

Location: Mel Korum Family YMCA, Puyallup, WA

As a Dance Instructor, you’ll lead energetic and engaging classes that help students build confidence, technique, and a love for dance. You’ll teach and demonstrate choreography and motivate dancers of all skill levels to grow and express themselves. If hired, you will create a positive, organized, and safe class environment while communicating with parents and celebrating student progress, you’ll help deliver a memorable and inspiring dance experience for everyone involved.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 16 years of age or older.
• 5+ years of formal dance training or comparable experience (preferred).
• 1-2 years of experience as a Dance teacher and/or teaching assistant (preferred).
• Positive attitude and previous experience with varying ages and diverse populations.
• Possess the knowledge and skills to teach preschool and beginning-level dance classes. Multiple disciplines preferred.
• Ability to create engaging lesson plans that reflect appropriate level, ability, classroom management, and the YMCA dance curricula.
• Performance and dance production experience preferred.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).
• Committed to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead dance technique classes and demonstrate positive dance principles.
• Create class lesson plans with a natural progression that relates to the abilities and ages of the classes being taught, reflecting YMCA dance curricula and core values.
• Choreograph and contribute to annual dance recitals, dance performances, and other YMCA events as assigned.
• Effectively communicate program information and student progress to the youth and/or arts director and members at each session.
• Attend center and association dance staff training and meetings as required.
• Assist the youth and/or arts director in reaching campaign goals by telling the Y story, making personal asks, and supporting center events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

All YMCA Employees receive the below benefits:

• A Personal YMCA membership and YMCA360 virtual streaming membership
• Flexible scheduling around school and extracurricular activities Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked per year
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Digital mental health counseling platform, Wellness program, and LifeMart employee discount center
• Professional training, education, and certification opportunities
• 20% discount on YMCA programs, childcare services and merchandise

Part-Time employees who work more than 20 hrs./week are eligible for the below voluntary benefit options:

• HealthiestYou: by Teladoc (24/7 virtual general medical care access for non-emergency conditions)
• Willamette Dental Plan
• VSP Vision Plan

At the Y, we’re all about empowering people, inspiring action, and strengthening the communities we call home. Join our team and support our vision of creating opportunity so all can thrive in every season of life.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Qualifications

Dance Instructor Job Description

Position Summary

Provides leadership, instruction and motivation for dance program participants. Provides a quality experience to students and parents focused on YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring.

Key Responsibilities

• Follow/Implement our Association Quality Standards and 9 Dimensions of Well Being into Youth Programming and Staff Development.
• Participate in annual dance recitals, dance performances, Y Arts Week events and other YMCA events as assigned.
• Create class lesson plans with a natural progression that relate to the abilities and ages of the classes being taught as well as reflect YMCA dance curricula and YMCA core values.
• Choreograph dances for end of year performances.
• Effectively communicate program information and student progress as needed.
• Monitor student attendance and development in all dance classes. Report back to Arts Director frequently around class updates, staff development and member experience.
• Attend branch and association dance staff trainings and meetings as required.
• Lead dance technique classes to YMCA members.
• Teach and demonstrate positive dance principles.
• Assist with annual dance recital production, including dress rehearsals and performances.
• Effectively engage and lead volunteers, including Dance Teachers in Training, to provide quality programming for participants and positive volunteer experiences.
• Meet performance measurement through annual giving, major gifts, and/or endowment by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of 16 years of age or older.
• 5-10 years of formal dance training or comparable experience.
• 3-5 years of experience as a dance teacher and/or teaching assistant.
• Preferred: Experience teaching classes, beginning through advanced levels.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with varying ages and diverse populations
• Possess the knowledge and skills to teach classes, pre-school through adult, beginning through advanced levels. Multiple disciplines preferred.
• Ability to create comprehensive lesson plans that reflect students' level and ability.
• Demonstrated ability to choreograph beginning and advanced level pieces for dance recitals.
• First-hand knowledge of performance and dance production.
• Preferred: Knowledge of safety procedures and dance and office equipment set-up.
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications.
• Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day. Complete other online and in-person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally may need to plan and participate in programming outdoors.
• Ability to lead dance/various arts classes.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.