West African Musician

DEPARTMENT: Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (AAIE)

REPORTS TO: Director, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs

COMPENSATION: Per-class basis; travel within the NYC metro area is reimbursed

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. (AILEY) seeks part‑time West African musicians to accompany dance residencies through its Arts In Education & Community Programs (AAIE), including Ailey Dance Kids, Ailey Camp, Ailey Dance for Active Aging, and National Outreach. AAIE musicians serve as accompanists to teaching artists during dance residencies, support the goals of each residency, and serve as role models for students.

Residencies take place off‑site at Pre‑K – 12 public, charter, and private schools during the school day and in after‑school programs; at community centers, hospitals, and other community‑based organizations; and on‑site at The Joan Weill Center for Dance. Assignments vary in length and class frequency, from a 1‑hour workshop to a multi‑week residency with 2–5 classes per day. This position reports directly to the Director, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accompany AAIE teaching artists during dance residencies and support the goals of each residency.
• Join teaching artists in planning meetings with the school or organizational liaison and participating teachers.
• Serve as a role model for students.
• Respond promptly to all work offers.
• Submit a signed time sheet for each instructional session.
• Submit required evaluation surveys.
• Attend an annual meeting for AAIE artists each fall.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated expertise with West African percussion, as a professional musician and educator.
• A passion for working with youth and adults, and a commitment to inspiring an appreciation for the joy of dance.
• Availability during school hours, after‑school hours, and occasional evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel to schools and organizations within the five NYC boroughs and the greater NYC metro area; occasional national or international travel may be required.
• Proof of fingerprinting clearance through the NYC Department of Education (DOE) is required for employment; additional clearance may be required for work outside NYC DOE.

Note:

Fingerprinting clearance is a condition of employment. Applicants flagged as "ineligible" by the NYC DOE or any other clearance system will not be hired until the matter is resolved. Artists flagged as "ineligible" at any point during employment will be temporarily removed from their assignment(s) and may be terminated if the matter is not resolved.

SCHEDULE:

• This is a part‑time role; hours vary by residency assignment, from a 1‑hour workshop to a multi‑week residency with 2–5 classes per day.
• Availability is needed during school hours, after‑school hours, and occasional evenings and weekends.

AAIE musicians are part‑time employees, compensated on a per‑class basis for local work. Travel to sites within the NYC metro area is reimbursed.

The advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

ABOUT ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is hailed as “cultural ambassador to the world” by the US Congress and is renowned for its stellar performances, high‑caliber dance training, and innovative educational initiatives which reach nearly 500,000 people around the globe each year. Alicia Graf Mack, Artistic Director, continues the pioneering work of Alvin Ailey and furthers the development of a cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

AILEY has a rich and inspiring history rooted in African American traditions and provides young people with a range of role models within its group of experienced instructors. Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (AAIE) employs teaching artists and musicians part‑time to instruct and accompany dance residencies in a variety of dance…