High String Instructor (Middle School), Sistema Ravinia

Ravinia Festival; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 56,826 - 80,934; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Paid leave in accordance with Chicago's Paid Leave Ordinance

Accrued sick leave

Workers Compensation Coverage

Unemployment Benefits

Job summary

The Ravinia Festival in Waukegan is seeking a High String Instructor for its Sistema Ravinia program. This position focuses on social development and musical excellence for middle school students through after-school programs. The instructor will lead violin and viola classes while fostering student engagement and collaboration with a diverse community.

Ideal candidates will possess strong knowledge of pedagogical practices and a passion for teaching. This position offers an hourly compensation of $50 for instruction time and $25 for non-instruction time.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching beginners to intermediate string students in a group setting.
• Desire to work with diverse children and adults.
• Background in music education.

Responsibilities

• Lead violin and viola studio classes for 6th-8th grade.
• Teach repertoire and develop students' musicality.
• Assess student progress and maintain attendance records.

Skills

Strong knowledge of beginning/intermediate level violin and viola pedagogical practices

Ability to build and maintain a rehearsal culture

Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students

Superior interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Music Education or equivalent

Job description

At Ravinia, we believe in the transformative power of shared, live‑music moments and their ability to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world.

Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, our mission as a not‑for‑profit organization is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry with our Reach Teach Play® community engagement and education programs, our Steans Institute’s collaborative and experiential artistic training programs, and more. Together, Ravinia’s initiatives serve tens of thousands of students, families, and emerging professional musicians.

Our 36‑acre park is home to North America’s longest‑running outdoor music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events, featuring a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers, make up a typical summer season across our open‑air and indoor stages, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Position Summary

A flagship Reach Teach Play program, Sistema Ravinia emphasizes social development, community building, and musical excellence through intensive, after‑school orchestral music education. Sistema Ravinia programming reaches over 300 3rd‑12th grade students in 15 Chicago and Lake County public schools utilizing an El Sistema‑inspired model of daily ensemble based instruction.

The High String Instructor (Middle School) leads violin and/or viola studio classes, teaches high string sectionals, and supervises students during all on‑site program activities for middle school aged children participating in the Sistema Ravinia Lake County nucleo.

The High String Instructor (Middle School) reports to the Program Manager; will receive direction and feedback from the Artistic Manager, and works with a team of instructors that are responsible for maintaining a standard of musical excellence and uploading the values and mission of Reach Teach Play. The ideal candidate will be an extraordinary teacher, artist, mentor, and model for Sistema Ravinia students and uphold the belief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.

This position is compensated at $50/hour for instruction time and $25/hour for non‑instruction time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead violin and viola studios and/or high string sectional rehearsals for beginning and intermediate level students in grades 6‑8
• Teach repertoire and develop student technical facility and musicianship in alignment with the Sistema Ravinia curriculum and Artistic Manager
• Active participation in instructor and conductor meetings, professional learning, and student/parent meetings as needed
• Assess student progress on an ongoing basis
• Facilitate and supervise all on‑site activities including snack, restroom breaks, transitions, dismissal
• Work in partnership with Sistema Ravinia Lake County administration to track and maintain student attendance records, supports, and interventions
• Cultivate a community environment that contributes to the well‑being and agency of every student

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong knowledge of beginning/intermediate level violin and viola pedagogical practices
• Ability to build and maintain a rehearsal culture that sets high expectations with warmth and care for each student
• Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students
• Superior interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with parents, students, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds

Education and Experience

• Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginners – intermediate string students and teaching in a group setting
• Experience and desire to work with children and adults from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
• Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent job experience

Success Factors

• High levels of student engagement, participation, and retention
• High quality student outcomes, growth, and development
• Representation of Ravinia’s mission and vision, positive collaboration with Ravinia Reach Teach Play administrators, teachers, and community

Tuesdays from 1:45‑5:45 pm at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park (time is inclusive of a weekly instructor curriculum planning meeting), Wednesdays from 2:45‑5:45 pm at John Lewis Middle School in Waukegan, and Thursdays from 2:45‑5:45 pm at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. School year runs from mid‑September through mid‑May; summer programming runs for three weeks in June.

Interaction with young students, adult students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount.

Travel to Ravinia is required occasionally for performances and field trips.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential resources that support mental health, well‑being, and work‑life balance.
• Chicago Paid Leave: Eligibility for paid time off in accordance with the City of Chicago’s Paid Leave Ordinance.
• Chicago Sick Leave: Accrued sick leave in compliance with Chicago Sick Leave requirements, available for personal illness or to care for eligible family members.
• Workers Comp Coverage: If you are hurt while working, workers compensation will cover the costs of injury and recovery.
• Unemployment Benefits: Eligible to File for Unemployment.

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 and 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.