JOB TITLE: Dance in Schools & Communities (DISC) Accompanist

DEPARTMENT: Education & Training

REPORTS TO: Education Programs Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Part-time, non-exempt, non-benefited

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled. Review of applications will begin on 9/30/21 and will continue until the position is filled.

HOURS AND LOCATION: Approximately 3-6 hours per school week, on-site at SFUSD schools during the 2021-22 school year.

JOB SUMMARY 

Under supervision of the Education Programs Manager and the Associate Director of Education, this position provides musical accompaniment that elevates and supports the dance curriculum for SF Ballet’s Dance in Schools and Communities (DISC) youth education programs. DISC Accompanists are committed to working with DISC Dance Teaching Artists to deliver engaging age appropriate accompaniment that enhances the DISC Residency Program and other classes and workshops for K-12 students. DISC Accompanists are professional percussionists with experience drumming for dance classes in diverse educational settings for K-12 students.

SF Ballet’s Education & Training Department is currently seeking qualified and versatile percussionists to join the education team for the 2021-2022 school year. Teaching assignments will be in-person at SFUSD elementary school sites. We are looking for dedicated accompanists and teaching artists specializing in various styles of drumming. To better reflect the community we serve, we strive for diversity in our teaching staff. Interested applicants should visit the SF Ballet website to become familiar with the various DISC programs https://www.sfballet.org/celebrating-40-years-of-dance-in-schools-and-communities/. Submit resume and cover letter at http://sfballet.snaphire.com/. Cover letter should include a statement about the candidate’s experience in the field of arts education working with students of various ages and abilities in diverse K-12 educational settings.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides musical accompaniment that elevates and supports the Dance in Schools and Communities (DISC) curriculum and class content. Under supervision of the Education Programs Manager and Associate Director Education, and in collaboration with the DISC Dance Teaching Artists, provides appropriate accompaniment using diverse percussion instruments to enhance the dance education DISC residency program customized to the needs of the youth participants, cooperating K-12 teachers, partner site, and culturally-responsive curricular content. Accompanies dance classes with a range of music traditions in diverse educational settings. Percussionists are responsible for their own instruments, including set up, take down, transportation, and storage of all instruments.
• Participates in ongoing DISC professional development activities, orientations, workshops, and meetings held in-person and on Zoom.
• Performs required administrative duties such as submitting weekly time sheets, lesson plans, school site residency reports, and evaluations. Regular communication with SFB staff regarding all aspects of the DISC Program and timely response to communications from supervisors.
• Presentation of a professional demeanor that appropriately represents DISC and SF Ballet. As a productive member of the DISC team, forms positive relationships with youth participants, classroom teachers, school site administration, teaching artists, and accompanists.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Related Experience Required: 

• Experienced musician/teaching artist in percussion and world music.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a teaching artist or musician working in collaborative educational K-12 environments with diverse student populations, from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, age groups, and abilities. Experience working in SFUSD schools with ELL, Special Education, Special Day Classes, and/or Bilingual classes preferred.
• Professional level skills and previous experience accompanying dance classes for youth in diverse educational settings.
• Ability to play a wide range of styles with an ability to improvise and provide excellent musical accompaniment as requested by the dance teaching artist.
• Knowledge of musical forms from a variety of cultures; skilled in the musical styles and instruments that supports DISC classes.
• Knowledge of California VAPA Learning Standards, Common Core State Standards, and national standards.
• Strong oral communication skills.
• The ideal candidate is someone who is an experienced arts educator, who is able to work a varied part-time schedule approximately 3-6 hours per week and is able to commit to the duration of the program through June 1, 2022.

Technical and Professional Competencies: 

• Ability to share age appropriate musical concepts through culturally responsive practices and anti-racist teaching.
• Willingness to learn and teach the required DISC curriculum and lesson plans.
• Ability to support a safe classroom environment that allows students to explore movement and learn dances. Demonstrates proven classroom management skills
• Demonstrates ability to work successfully in a team environment by establishing and maintaining effective relationships with colleagues.
• Applies reflective practices that develop greater self-awareness regarding the impact of one’s teaching, providing opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Actively participates in professional development by attending trainings, educational activities, seminars, and staff meetings.
• Applies creativity and innovation to work processes.
• Effectively communicates on a regular basis with the supervisor and provides key information regarding school site issues to ensure a successful residency. Effectively communicates with teaching artists, K-12 school staff, and K-12 students.
• Organizes and prioritizes tasks to meet required deadlines and promote a successful residency.

Physical Demands: 

• Plays musical instruments for extended periods and transports musical instruments to and from program sites.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.

Other requirements:

• Must be fully vaccination for COVID-19 per SFUSD guidelines.
• Must have availability to work during school hours and/or after-school hours for a time block of 2-3 hours, at least 2 days per week, on Monday-Friday between 8 am – 5 pm.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to assigned schools in SF.
• CPR and First Aid certification (paid for by SFB).
• LiveScan background clearance required for employment (paid for by SFB)

Education Level: 

• High School Diploma

Internal Contacts: 

• Education and Training department staff, DISC Accompanists and Teaching Artists.

External Contacts:

• San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) public school Students, Teachers, Principals, Arts Coordinators, and other SFUSD School Administrators and School Site Liaisons.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

As America’s oldest professional ballet company and one of the three largest ballet companies in the United States, San Francisco Ballet has enjoyed a long and rich tradition of artistic “firsts” since it was founded in 1933. SF Ballet performed the first American productions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker, as well as the first production of Coppelia, choreographed by an American choreographer. Guided in its early years by American dance pioneers and brothers Lew, Willam, and Harold Christensen, San Francisco Ballet currently presents more than 100 performances a year locally, nationally, and abroad. Under the direction of Helgi Tomasson, the Company has achieved an international reputation as one of the preeminent ballet companies in the world.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

We prefer you apply online

http://sfballet.snaphire.com

NO CALLS, PLEASE

San Francisco Ballet Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to employing a diverse staff.

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with the Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO).