Teaching Artist

The People's Music School; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

El Sistema Lehigh Valley is hiring Teaching Artist for violin, viola, cello, bass, and choir in Allentown, PA. The role involves teaching strings, running ensembles, and supporting orchestral activities for underserved youth within ESLV’s mission.

Responsibilities include classroom management, collaboration with staff and parents, and mentoring students. Immediate start with 16–20 hours per week and $35/hour pay rate.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer.
• Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy (Suzuki) with certification preferred.
• Experience teaching strings and leading ensembles.
• Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds in underserved communities.
• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain strong communication with staff and parents.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Teach string classes, group lessons, and/or sectionals.
• Team teach and operate ensembles with up to 100 children.
• Assist with full orchestra rehearsal of up to 70 children; tuning strings, playing in the section.
• Attend music pedagogy and professional development sessions.
• Prepare and communicate with teachers, program manager, ASA staff, and parents.
• Assist the ESLV Program Manager with classroom management logistics.
• Attend required concerts, meetings, events, and professional development sessions.
• Serve as a mentor to ESLV students.
• Assist with implementation of systems, standards, and evaluations related to student progress.
• Perform administrative duties essential to running one’s own classroom.
• Supervise students during transitions and breaks.
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with ESLV and ASA staff.

Skills

Youth mentorship

Musicianship

Pedagogy knowledge

Strings teaching

Ensemble leadership

Diversity experience

Communication skills

Transportation

Team player

Music arranging

Bilingual EN/ES (plus)

Job description

Title: Teaching Artist (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Choir)

Location: Allentown, PA

Reports to: El Sistema Lehigh Valley Program Director, El Sistema Lehigh Valley Program Manager

Hours: Approximately 16-20 hours per week – 90 day probation period

Pay: $35/hour

Start Date: Immediately

MISSION

El Sistema Lehigh Valley, a program of the Allentown Symphony Association, brings underserved youth a free opportunity to develop life skills learned by participating in high-quality daily music instruction, large ensemble experience and performances, and academic tutoring within a safe and nurturing environment. Participants will develop discipline, the ability to set and achieve long-term goals, and a sense of social responsibility inside a community that cherishes creativity, imagination, and music. This will empower the Lehigh Valley community when their young artists, respective families, and community members come together to celebrate the achievement of their youths.

El Sistema Lehigh Valley (ESLV) is an initiative of the Allentown Symphony Association (ASA), supported by the Allentown School District, to provide access to exceptional instrumental and orchestral education in order to promote youth development. Central to ESLV is the ASA’s plan to build, with community partners, youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Essential Functions:

As an ESLV faculty member, responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Teach string classes, group lessons, and/or sectionals
• Team teach and operate ensembles with up to 100 children
• Assist with full orchestra rehearsal of up to 70 children; tuning strings, playing in the section
• Attend music pedagogy and professional development sessions
• Prepare and communicate with teachers, program manager, ASA staff, and parents
• Assist the ESLV Program Manager with classroom management logistics: classroom setup and breakdown, instrument tracking, supplies tracking etc.
• Attend required concerts, meetings, events, and professional development sessions.
• Serve as a consistent and compassionate mentor to ESLV students.
• Assist with the implementation of systems, standards, and evaluations related to student progress.
• Perform administrative duties essential to running one’s own classroom, including photocopying, room setup/breakdown, lesson planning, etc.
• Supervise students during transitions and breaks.
• Maintain professional, prompt lines of communication with ESLV and ASA staff.

Qualifications:

• Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students.
• Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer
• Strong commitment to El Sistema’s philosophy of social change through music and the missions of ESLV
• Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy (Suzuki, etc.) with certification preferred
• Experience teaching strings
• Experience leading and conducting ensembles
• Strong knowledge of string repertoire, curriculum and pedagogy
• Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds; experience working in underserved communities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students, parents, and peers as an artist, teacher and citizen
• Must have independent means of transportation
• Must be able to work as a member of a team
• Ability to work under frequent observation
• Ability to arrange music a plus
• Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus

The Allentown Symphony Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. No one will be discriminated against, or receive preferential treatment because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, non-job-related disability, social class, status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.