Federal Work Study Teaching Artists @ BSO OrchKids (2022-23 school year)
Title: OrchKids Teaching Artist, 2022-23 School Year
Reports to: OrchKids Site Manager and Director of Education
Classification: Contracted
Compensation: $35/hr
Location: Various school sites across Baltimore, MD
Hours: Varies depending on employee availability and school schedule
Between the days and hours of Monday-Friday 8:00am-3:00pm
Organizational Summary:
OrchKids uses music as a vehicle for students to develop 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, leadership, etc.) that are transferable to all areas of their lives. Marin Alsop, Music Director Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids Founding Director, shaped OrchKids into the cornerstone of the BSO’s community engagement efforts across the city with her artistic leadership and direction. OrchKids was founded in 2008 with 30 students at one elementary school with seed funding from Marin Alsop and Founding Donors Rheda Becker and Robert E. Meyerhoff.
OrchKids now works with seven schools in Baltimore City, serving over 1,800 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school, after school, and in weeklong workshops.
In collaboration with several community partners OrchKids provides music education, instruments, academic assistance, meals, mental health resources, connection to social services, as well as performance and mentorship opportunities at no cost to students and families. OrchKids is an acknowledged leader in the El Sistema and social-change through music movement throughout the world.
Job Summary:
Our Federal Work Study Teaching Artists are young educators dedicated to supporting our students and their musical progress through small group (no more than 3 students) and pull-out private lessons. The OrchKids educational philosophy focuses on student-centered learning, holistic and evidence-based teaching practices relevant to our students’ lives, creation and improvisation, inclusion, student voice and agency, and ensemble music-making. Embracing OrchKids educational philosophy, FWS Teaching Artists help guide the musical development of the program’s students, supporting lead teachers or in-school music directors. This methodology aims to promote synchronicity and community as well as simultaneously cultivating high artistic instrumental skills (i.e. technique, learning challenging repertoire) and fostering creativity (e.g. improvisation and composition).
Responsibilities:
- Provide small-group or private lessons for OrchKids students
- Follow curriculum standards and repertoire set by the OrchKids program and/or the in-school music director, supporting the musical progress of students, incorporating suggestions and repertoire assigned by students’ lead or in-school teachers
- Embrace OrchKids’ mission, goals, and guiding principles
- Commit to learning about and becoming a dedicated member of the Baltimore community
- Serve as a consistent and compassionate mentor to OrchKids students
- Embracing OrchKids’ educational philosophy and incorporate these principles into your lessons
- Provide feedback/program evaluation as requested
- Whenever possible, attend professional development workshops and meetings offered by OrchKids that cover a variety of educational, community engagement and social justice topics
Qualifications:
- Must be approved as a Federal Work Study Employee by Peabody Institute
- Passion for working with youth and desire to serve as a role model to students
- Some experience working with students one-on-one or in small groups
- Working toward or completion of Bachelor’s, Master's or Doctoral degree
- Completed Baltimore City Background Check (cost reimbursed)
- Knowledge of instrument-specific pedagogy and repertoire
- Willingness to jump in and embrace OrchKids’ practices of music-making through creative composition, improvisation and playing a variety of musical genres
- Flexibility and ability to work collaboratively
- Punctuality, professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills
The Baltimore Symphony is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The BSO is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, sexual orientation, or national origin is prohibited.
OrchKids Principles of Inclusion:
OrchKids believes in the principles of diversity and inclusion for students and all parties involved in the program regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status. We are proud to serve students of all backgrounds and abilities and our expectation is that all students will be treated equally, nurtured to ensure their success and we will meet them where they are. As a team, we expect and are prepared to make reasonable accommodations to address and support differences in learning styles, behaviors and cultural differences. Our expectation is also that we treat all parties involved in OrchKids (teaching artists, staff, school staff, families, community members, etc.) with respect and in accordance with our principles of inclusion.
We recognize that we have a diverse community made up of individuals with a myriad of backgrounds and we treat everyone with respect. We respect each other’s cultural, religious, and racial, gender identity, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.
As it relates to gender inclusivity, the following include strategies for all of us to follow to ensure that we are living up to our principles of inclusion –
● Use the correct name which is the name that someone chooses to refer to themselves
● Use the correct pronoun with our team members
● Use inclusive language like everyone and people instead of ladies and gentlemen
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume through Handshake. Applications are due September 19th, 2022 and candidates will be contacted and interviewed based on openings and qualifications.