Choreographer​/Dance Educator

Choreographer/Dance Educator

• Type: Part-time contract (August-June)
• Reports to: Junior Program Manager, with creative direction from the Director, Creative and Community Engagement
• Travel: Frequent in-community travel September-April, plus camp & show in May.
• Compensation: Choreography work is paid at teaching day rates based on years of experience; coordination work is paid hourly (hours vary seasonally).
• Location: Remote and in-community. Canada-wide hiring.

Outside Looking In (OLI) is a national non-profit organization offering transformative dance and arts-based education programs to Indigenous youth across Canada, from urban centres to fly-in communities. OLI uses dance to empower students to stay in school, build confidence, and celebrate cultural expression.

The Choreographer/Dance Educator is OLI's part-time community-based dance educator: a hybrid role that pairs choreography and dance instruction with hands-on community dance program coordination. Roughly 75% of the role is artistic: teaching, creating, and preparing youth for dance performance; and 25% is program-related administration carried out while in community, so time on the ground is spent with youth and community rather than on paperwork.

Through mentorship, relationship-building, and creative leadership, this role empowers youth participants to develop confidence, leadership skills, cultural connection, and artistic expression, while ensuring high-quality program delivery and meaningful community impact.

• Participate in Choreographer training summits alongside the full choreography team.
• Plan and facilitate engaging dance classes for participants of varying ages and skill levels, including assignment sheets.
• Create original, age-appropriate, culturally-responsive choreography aligned with the creative vision and theme of OLI’s Annual Showcase.
• Conduct performance assessments and lead rehearsal processes toward performance readiness.
• Produce tutorial videos to support youth learning between visits.
• Collaborate with OLI’s creative leadership on production needs, including input on costume and music selection.
• Mentor junior choreographers and OLI Future Leaders high school participants.

• Attend and supervise rehearsals while in community.
• Complete teacher-facing and youth-facing assessments.
• Set up meetings with volunteers, education leadership, and parent/guardian information sessions.
• Troubleshoot day-of needs on the ground, such as space, tech, supervision, and transportation.
• Handle light remote coordination directly related to upcoming trips, such as confirming rehearsal space, accommodations, or transportation.

Because programming spans many communities, two simple deliverables keep the whole team aligned:

• A weekly check-in with your Junior Program Manager during each community trip.
• A short end-of-trip summary of what happened and what needs follow-up.

• Act as a positive role model and mentor; support participant wellbeing, engagement, and personal growth.
• Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally safe environment for all participants.
• Raise participant wellbeing concerns with your Junior Program Manager, with training and clear protocols provided.

• Strong background in dance performance, instruction, and choreography.
• Experience working with youth and diverse communities.
• Committed, reliable, organized, and adaptable, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently in community and collaboratively with a remote team.
• Proficiency with basic administrative and digital tools; access to stable internet and a private workspace.
• Ability to travel frequently to remote communities.
• Clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

• Post-secondary education in dance, performing arts, recreation, education, or community development, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with Indigenous youth and communities; knowledge of trauma-informed, youth-centred, and culturally responsive practices.
• First Aid / CPR,mental health awareness training.
• Valid driver's licence.