Artistic Director - Childrens & Youth

Artistic Director – Children & Youth

Joffrey Ballet School

The Artistic Director of the Children and Youth Division provides visionary leadership, artistic excellence, and educational oversight for one of the School’s most foundational programs. Working in close collaboration with the Dean and Artistic Team, the Director will uphold and refine the existing vision that nurtures young dancers’ creativity, technique, and love of dance.

Overseeing artistic operations, curriculum design, faculty leadership, and performance programming for students ages 3 through 18, the role ensures alignment with the Joffrey Ballet School’s mission of providing exceptional, inclusive, and comprehensive dance education.

• Collaborate with the Dean and the School’s Artistic Team to develop and articulate a vision for the Children and Youth Program that complements the goals and mission of the Joffrey Ballet School.
• Celebrate the diverse makeup of the student body by integrating dance history and cultural experiences into the curriculum.
• Manage the program’s artistic operations and refine and implement dance curricula for various age groups, ensuring they are age-appropriate and aligned with the school’s artistic vision.
• Oversee curriculum creation and class scheduling, ensuring compliance with the National Association of Schools of Dance Education and relevant state standards.
• Refine, implement, and manage the curriculum for the Arts in Education Outreach Program, ensuring alignment with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Dance standards.
• Maintain and expand a collection of children’s books, props, and classroom materials, researching and purchasing new resources as needed.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning for the school’s growth and artistic development.
• Build and maintain relationships with local schools, organizations, and cultural institutions to increase visibility and foster collaboration.
• Create and maintain a structured class framework that accommodates multiple skill levels, from beginners to advanced students.
• Mentor students by holding scheduled parent–teacher–student meetings to motivate and communicate based on individual personalities and progress.
• Provide access to support services for students facing challenges that affect health, learning, or attendance.
• Establish consistent on-site and virtual office hours for drop-in availability to students and parents.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Directors and Associate Artistic Director of Trainee Programs to establish clear pathways into the Trainee level.
• Curate themes for performances and educational initiatives that reflect the school’s mission and community interests.
• Organize and oversee student participation in performances, ensuring meaningful stage experience.
• Communicate consistent communication with parents and guardians to support each student’s artistic journey.
• In collaboration with the Dean, hire and manage all faculty and choreographers for the program.
• Lead faculty and program staff to ensure adherence to school policies and artistic standards.
• Conduct faculty training, evaluations, and feedback sessions each term.
• Schedule regular faculty meetings and coordinate with support staff, including the Health and Wellness Officer.
• Provide mentorship and support for faculty facing professional challenges.
• Communicate clear expectations to families and faculty, enforcing adherence to Joffrey Ballet School’s policies and holding all parties accountable for maintaining artistic and professional standards.
• Organize and oversee all aspects of program performances, including direction of choreographers and production crew.
• Choreograph or restage choreography and rehearse pieces for program performances.
• Collaborate with administrative staff on rehearsal, technical, and performance schedules.
• Design and purchase costumes, props, and production materials consistent with each performance’s vision.
• Build and maintain relationships with performance vendors to ensure quality and consistency.
• Actively participate in student recruitment and retention efforts, organizing recruitment activities in collaboration with administrative staff, training…