High String Instructor (Middle School), Sistema Ravinia

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Sick leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Ravinia Brewing Company is looking for a High String Instructor for Middle School at Sistema Ravinia in Waukegan, Illinois. This role involves teaching violin and/or viola to middle school students and leading musical development through ensemble-based instruction.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about music education, with a strong background in teaching, capable of engaging students of diverse backgrounds. The position is particularly focused on social development through music and includes various educational and community engagement activities.

Qualifications

• Experience teaching beginners to intermediate string students.
• Strong background in music education.
• Desire to work with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead violin and viola studios for students in grades 6-8.
• Teach repertoire and develop technical facility.
• Facilitate on-site activities including transitions and dismissals.

Skills

Violin pedagogical practices

Viola pedagogical practices

Interpersonal skills

Teaching diverse backgrounds

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music or Education

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

High String Instructor (Middle School), Sistema Ravinia

14 days ago Requisition ID: 1128

Salary Range: $50.00 To $50.00 Hourly

Company 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 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 upholds 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 set 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 1:45-5:45pm at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park (time is inclusive of a weekly instructor curriculum planning meeting), Wednesdays from 2:45-5:45pm at John Lewis Middle School in Waukegan, and Thursdays from 2:45-5:45pm 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

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.