Teaching Artist, Chorus & General Music

Job Type: Part-Time

Pay Rate: $50 per hour

Location: Various

About Harmony Program

At the Harmony Program, music changes lives every day. Through collective music-making, children from under-served communities explore new avenues and realize their full potential.

For over 15 years, the Harmony Program has distinguished itself by serving children in need, reaching them within their own communities, providing them with instruments and intensive, high quality musical training, and helping to develop in them the life skills that support their healthy development -- musically, academically, and socially. The Harmony Program also recruits and trains accomplished musicians as its teaching artists and provides them with formal professional development training, observation and evaluation, access to a network of their peers, and competitive compensation for their services, with the goal of instilling in them a long-term commitment to community outreach and education.

The Harmony Program is inspired by Venezuela's national youth orchestra system, "El Sistema." Committed to improving society through music, El Sistema has gained international acclaim for the breadth of its reach, the quality of its musicians, and the power of its positive influence on the young lives it touches. In the spirit of El Sistema, the Harmony Program emphasizes the influence of music-making on social development, encourages learning through ensemble playing, fosters a supportive community for program participants and families, and requires of all involved a high degree of commitment to daily music study.

Jobs, duties, and responsibilities

● Lead group music classes and/or ensemble rehearsals for elementary and middle school students;

● Prepare lesson plans that align with our curriculum and promote social and musical growth;

● Teach in an engaging and holistic manner that prioritizes social-emotional learning;

● Utilize classroom management skills to create a safe, energetic, inclusive and positive learning environment;

● Manage classroom logistics, including taking regular attendance and facilitating student transitions;

● Provide regular communication of student behavioral, musical, and social challenges to Harmony Program administration;

● Conduct regular and timely assessments of students’ musical progress and social development;

● Attend required professional development workshops;

● Participate in select organization-wide events, including performances and meetings, as necessary.

Required Qualifications

● Minimum of 2 years teaching experience with children in grades K-8;

● Undergraduate degree in music education or vocal/instrumental performance;

● Energetic teaching style with strong classroom management skills;

● Ability to commute between Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx;

● High degree of professionalism, including punctuality, reliability, and respectful collaboration;

● Must be able to clear background check for work with the Department of Education;

● Experience with Orff & Kodaly methods, preferred;

● Must be authorized to work legally in the United States.

Application Materials

● Resume

● Cover letter

● Teaching philosophy statement (250-500 words)

● Sample lesson plan(s) for elementary choir and/or general music

● Two professional references

Candidates should submit their completed applications via this form (https://harmonyprogram.org/teaching-artist-application/). If you have any questions, please contact us at programs@harmonyprogram.org.

Pay: $50.00 per hour

Work Location: In person