Percussion Instructor - West African​/Afro Caribbean Percussion

Public School Teaching Artist
- West African/Afro-Caribbean Percussion

Department: Third Street Partners Program – Position

Reports To:

Third Street Partners Program Manager

Compensation: $51.00 / per session

Music instructor needed for African/Afro-Caribbean group classes in a public school located in the Bronx. The ideal candidate is a dedicated educator and musician who has 2+ years of experience teaching students aged 7 to 9. Classes are scheduled weekly on Mondays between 2:45 and 4:15pm.

Third Street began providing music instruction to public school students in 1959. Today, Third Street partners with 25+ public schools across NYC. The goal of these partnerships is to improve the lives of students through music and dance. Third Street curriculum promotes positive social and emotional outcomes, especially focusing on body awareness, communication development, community‑building, and executive functioning skills. Using instruments, children discover their creative abilities in music and improvisation.

Third Street also promotes an inclusive classroom, making accommodations where needed, while holding all students to high expectations for achievement and fostering caring teacher‑student relationships.

• Teach group classes in NYC public schools of ~20‑25 students (~45 minutes in length)
• Develop and teach ~24 weeks of curriculum that develops students’ ability to understand basic rhythmic notation, play instruments, enhance music vocabulary, and promote social emotional learning
• Foster a love of music through the development of artistic expression, song, and instrumental exploration
• Celebrate diverse cultures through music
• Prepare students for informal or formal performances, depending on school needs
• Support and encourage students to continue their music education in the future

• 2+ years’ experience teaching Percussion in group settings, public schools, or community music schools
• Facility on hand percussion instruments (specifically the Djembe)
• Attention to punctuality, attendance records, and reports
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with students and classroom teachers
• Record of ongoing professional development and activity in professional organizations
  
  Ability to work effectively with a variety of colleagues, including Third Street faculty and staff members

As the nation’s longest-running community music school, Third Street Music School has been transforming lives through the arts for 131 years. In 1894, Third Street was founded by Emilie Wagner, an arts education pioneer who made music education the cornerstone of a settlement house that welcomed immigrants to NYC and provided families with housing support, food, and medical care alongside arts enrichment.

Today, Third Street is committed to leveraging arts education to empower youth to reach their fullest potential and to unite the diverse communities of NYC. Third Street serves 5,000+ students annually, enriching their lives and communities.

Third Street’s core programs include:
1) music and dance instruction for people of all ages, offered seven days a week;
2) public school, public housing, and community partnerships (Third Street Partners) providing instruction in 30+ underserved schools and community centers;
3) a music‑infused preschool for students 6 months to five years; and
4) a performance program with over 250 live and virtual concerts annually for more than 10,000 audience members at Third Street and celebrated venues across NYC.

We are committed to diversity, fostering a collegial community where faculty and staff of every racial identity feel a sense of belonging, supported and valued without feeling tokenized.