Youth Dance Instructor - Fairfield YMCA

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic nonprofit organization as a Dance Instructor, where you will lead advanced classes and inspire students with your expertise in various dance styles. This role emphasizes creating a welcoming and nurturing environment while ensuring student well-being and adherence to YMCA guidelines. You will be responsible for developing lesson plans that engage students, monitoring their progress, and communicating effectively with parents. If you are passionate about dance and education, and possess strong interpersonal skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive impact in the community through dance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of dance teaching or related experience required.
• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Prepare engaging lesson plans and monitor student performance.
• Manage special dance events and enforce YMCA policies.

Skills

Dance Teaching

Communication Skills

Customer Service

Organization

Problem Solving

Multi-tasking

Team Focus

Critical Thinking

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

CPR Certification

AED Certification

First Aid Certification

Job description

This position supports the mission and work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization. The Dance Instructor provides a professional dance experience leading advanced classes and demonstrating a strong technique in various dance styles for students to replicate. The Dance Instructor assures the well-being for each participant while using YMCA of the USA guidelines and association policies in accordance with their training. This results in a cause-centered culture that is welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Demonstrate the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in relationships with colleagues, members, volunteers, vendors and guests.
2. Prepare effective lesson plans and teaching methods that can be adaptive to a variety of students to keep dancers motivated and engaged.
3. Monitor students’ performance level and create achievable goals to be reached over a period of time.
4. Interact with parents in a positive and professional manner, when necessary, to update families on class and event schedule changes, makeup class information, upcoming dance events, performances, and/or new programs.
5. Select appropriate music and playlists that best reflect the age range, dance style, and genre being taught.
6. Follow proper opening and closing procedures of the dance studio before and after class, including taking weekly attendance, relaying all important announcements and information to each student before class, turning off sound system, and returning all equipment that may be used during class to their designated space.
7. Assist and manage special dance events such as workshops, clinics, camps, dress rehearsals, class costume days, holiday shows, community performances and/or other outreach or promotional events pertaining to the dance program.
8. Know, follow, and enforce all YMCA policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including emergency and safety procedures, and those for the prevention of child abuse.
9. Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
10. All other duties that may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Minimum 5 years of previous dance teaching or related experience.
2. High school diploma or equivalent required.
3. Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required.
4. Must be able to work independently without supervision of another instructor.
5. Possess a varied and successful record in teaching dance.
6. Must be detail-oriented, confidentiality-conscious, and organized.
7. Willingness to seek advanced training and added responsibilities.
8. Able to apply common sense and understanding to carry out position responsibilities.
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are critical to the success of this position.
10. Demonstrated ability to multi-task and handle multiple demands simultaneously with minimal direction.
11. Possess and demonstrate excellent customer service, decision-making, problem solving, team focus, critical thinking, and personal leadership skills.
12. Knowledge of nonprofit and/or YMCA operations.
13. Possess a general knowledge and understanding of the YMCA, its goals, and its mission.
14. Able to work a flexible work schedule if needed with advanced notice.