Music Moves Instructor; PT - Youth Teaching Assistant

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Part Time Chicago, IL, US

30+ days ago Requisition

Summary:

The Old Town School of Folk Music is seeking part-time youth teaching assistants for its Music Moves programs. This position serves as a mentoring opportunity for young folks (ages 16-24) aspiring to further develop their music and/or dance teaching skills. The Music Moves Youth Teaching Assistant collaborates with the Music Moves Manager and faculty to co‑develop and co‑deliver music and/or dance programming to elementary and high school students, and occasionally adults, primarily at community partner sites.

Schedule:

Typically 2-3 days per week;
Approximately 5-6 hours/week.

Location:

Music Moves community partner sites located in south and west side neighborhoods.

• Co‑designs and co‑implements a sequenced and developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet the goals and desired outcomes of the program in coordination with the Music Moves Manager.
• Builds relationships with students and community partner staff and administrators.
• Works with the Music Moves Manager to communicate the vision and impact of the program for funding purposes.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with Music Moves community partner organizations.
• Documents weekly attendance and other metrics to demonstrate program impact.
• Supports various instructional needs, including classroom preparation, leading warm‑up, and providing hospitality as requested.
• Prepares students for end‑of‑session performance, if needed.

• Background in West African and/or African diasporic cultural traditions.
• 2 years of performance experience preferred.
• Successful candidates must be motivated, collaborative, and committed to youth and intergenerational exchanges.
• At least one year of experience teaching in a large classroom setting preferred.
• Can easily work in history and social context into instrument or dance instruction.
• Experience with administrative/organizational tasks including scheduling, tracking activities and reporting is helpful as well as familiarity with Google Suite.

Instructor Hourly Pay Rates: $30/hour teaching rate and $20/hour training rate

To be considered for this role, please apply through our Career Center.

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (OTSFM) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non‑profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides various music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, including world‑class concert halls, classrooms, an award‑winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated throughout the pandemic.

Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available .

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that reflects the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community‑focused organization.