High String Instructor (Violin/Viola), Sistema Ravinia West Side

Ravinia Festival; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,440 - 68,880; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Chicago Paid Leave

Chicago Sick Leave

Job summary

Ravinia Festival seeks a High String Instructor (Violin/Viola) to lead studio classes and high string sectionals for elementary and middle school students at the Sistema Ravinia West Side nucleo in Chicago. The role emphasizes engaging teaching, mentorship, and maintaining musical excellence in a community-based setting.

The candidate will work with a team to implement the Sistema Ravinia curriculum, attend meetings, and support student growth while partnering with families and administrators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music or equivalent experience.
• Experience teaching beginners to intermediate string students.

Responsibilities

• Lead violin/viola studios for grades 4-8.
• Teach repertoire and develop student technique.
• Supervise on-site activities and student transitions.
• Track attendance and provide interventions as needed.
• Collaborate with West Side administration and staff.

Skills

Violin pedagogy

Viola pedagogy

Student mentorship

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Music

Teacher certification preferred

Job description

Position Title:High String Instructor (Violin), Sistema Ravinia West Side

Reports To:Program Manager, Sistema Ravinia West Side

Range:$50/hour for instruction time - $25/hour for non-instruction time, non-exempt

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 (Violin/Viola) leads violin/viola studio classes, teaches high string sectionals, and supervises students during all on site program activities for elementary and middle school aged children participating in the Sistema Ravinia West Side nucleo in Chicago.

The High String Instructor (Violin/Viola) 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 upholding 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 thebelief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.

Key Responsibilities

Lead violin/viola studios and/or high string sectional rehearsals for beginning and intermediate level students in grades 4-8

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 West Side 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/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

Specific teaching hours vary by program site. Sistema Ravinia programming is held Monday - Thursday between 1:00-5:30pm. School year programming runs from mid-September through mid-May; summer programming runs for three weeks in August.

The location for this position may include GR Clark Elementary School (1045 S Monitor Ave, Chicago, IL 60644), Frazier International Magnet School (4027 W Grenshaw St., Chicago, IL 60624), or Washington Irving Elementary School (749 S Oakley Blvd. Chicago, IL, 60612).Instructors are assigned to ONE primary work location.

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

Compensation

Instruction: $50/hour

Non-instruction: $25/hour

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.

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.