Job Opening: Early Childhood Teaching Artist (PT)
Reports to: Early Childhood Program Manager
Employment Status: Part-time, non-exempt

About this Position: The San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) is seeking a
part-time Teaching Artist for its ChIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles)
program. Teaching Artists teach classes for children 0-5 years old and their parents/caregivers, as
well as to groups of preschool, TK (transitional kindergarten) or kindergarten students at
contracted sites. Our team begins to build musical skills, creativity, movement, and
social-emotional skills for young children. They also build healthy attachments between children
and parents/caregivers or teachers. The interactive classes incorporate singing, dancing,
movement and hands-on play with instruments, all while paving the way for future musical
development and participation in ensemble experiences.

All SDYS Teaching Artists serve as mentors and role models, while building a place and sense of
community. We do not hire Teaching Artists just to teach music. They demonstrate respect for
young children and are committed to our core values of commitment, creativity, equity,
collaboration, and service. Click here for a video of the ChIMES experience.

Artistic Responsibilities:

● Teach and lead ChIMES music classes (parent/child, preschool and/or T/K, or kindergarten).
● Implement, teach, and develop appropriate pedagogy aligned with SDYS’ early
childhood curriculum while pacing classes to meet student needs.
● Inspire those in the classes to incorporate music into their everyday lives.
● Create a consistent, positive environment with procedures and expectations.

Administrative Responsibilities:

● Learn and use the first names of your students and their families.
● Actively communicate with parents, preschool/TK staff and teachers.
● Arrive on time and prepared. Traveling to various sites is required. Some sites may be outdoors
or remote.
● Attend ChIMES team meetings and actively participate in curriculum development, lesson
planning, and program development with supervisor and other teaching artists.
● Go through proper protocol for CPR/First Aid, fingerprinting, and/or TB testing as needed for
various contracted schools and partners.

Citizenship Responsibilities:

● Keep the “Artist” in the title “Teaching Artist” by maintaining and growing your own personal
performance skills and taking advantage of performance opportunities.
● Foster student involvement, participation, or attendance at different musical performances or
opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
● Strong musical skills on an instrument (such as guitar or ukulele) and vocally.
● Culturally sensitive.
● Flexibility and problem solving skills for situations that change.
● Familiarity and expertise of child developmental stages.
● Ability to confidently and enthusiastically lead groups of 10-25 children, with or without
parents/caregivers.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience teaching early childhood music (preferably in a group setting with caregivers)
and/or experience teaching preschool or other early childhood groups.
● Bilingual
● Knowledge of, or ability to play/demonstrate, other instruments.
● Familiarity with musical concepts, notation, and classical music.
● Experience working in a music therapy setting; working with children with special needs;
and/or working with other disadvantaged communities.

Additional
This is a part-time position with work responsibilities on weekdays, weekends and/or evenings
according to the class or lesson schedule. Depending on health guidelines related to Covid-19,
Teaching Artist responsibilities may take place in person and/or through live or pre-recorded video.

This position requires sitting, walking, standing, climbing stairs, hearing, speaking, playing an
instrument, using technology, being able to lift up to 25 lb., and driving to locations pertaining to
organizational operations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to
verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment
eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Hours of Employment: Part-time, varies. Approximately 2-5 teaching hours/week, plus some
hours of prep/meeting time. Most teaching hours are weekday mornings or Saturday
mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm. Locations could include Balboa Park, Liberty
Station, Chula Vista, and/or other locations yet to be contracted.

Does this sound like you? If so, we’d love to meet you. Email your resume and a thoughtful
cover letter to hr@sdys.org.

About the San Diego Youth Symphony
SDYS’ mission is to instill excellence in musical achievement and personal growth through rigorous
and inspiring music education experiences. We do this through both our traditional youth
symphony programming (Conservatory Programs), our neighborhood-centered programming
(Community Programs) and early childhood music education (ChIMES) classes. We know
firsthand that education, social, community, and personal transformations happen when music is
taught collaboratively and with excellence