YOLA at Heart of LA Cello Teaching Artist

HEART OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH INC•Los Angeles, CA

31d•$45 - $45

About The Position

Heart of Los Angeles provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities. Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Inclusion and Support. Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) is the Los Angeles Philharmonic's initiative, supported by a network of stakeholders, to provide access to exceptional instrumental and orchestral education in order to promote youth development. Central to YOLA is the LA Phil's plan to build youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles with community partners. YOLA at Heart of LA is the second site of Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program Youth Orchestra LA, inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that provides a quarter million children with free musical instruments and music instruction. Over the last thirty years, Heart of Los Angeles has become a home-away-from-home for countless numbers of inner-city youth. With YOLA, this vibrant community center has become a hub of intensive and joyful music making. Each participant receives a rich music curriculum focused on cultivating a caring, cooperative, and fun community. The instruments and the program are free to all participating students as long as they uphold their contract to take care of the instrument, practice, and participate in YOLA at Heart of LA music programming. Participating students come from within a five-mile radius of Heart of LA community center, located in and around Lafayette Park, Los Angeles. POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for leading cello and string sectionals for YOLA at Heart of LA, a joint venture of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Heart of Los Angeles. He/she/they will ensure the highest musical experience for YOLA at Heart of LA, create curriculum and pedagogy in collaboration with other YOLA at Heart of LA music faculty, and support each child holistically. He/she/they will support the Heart of LA philosophy and community as a part of YOLA at Heart of LA and help facilitate community and family involvement.

Requirements

Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer.
Strong background in music education required.
Experience teaching cello classes to children.
Experience leading, conducting, or supporting ensembles.
Strong knowledge of cello repertoire, curriculum, and pedagogy.
Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds; experience working in underserved communities.
Resourceful, creative, takes initiative
Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced environment
Strong commitment to El Sistema’s philosophy of social change through music, the mission of Heart of LA, including embedding of Heart of LA’s Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Inclusion, and Support) in all aspects of artistic direction/work
Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Interest and ability to be a motivational mentor/role model for students, parents, graduate students, and peers as an artist, teacher, and citizen.
Ability to work under frequent observation, collaborate with peers and to both give and receive constructive and helpful feedback when needed.
Must pass CA DOJ Background check.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish/Korean a plus.
Sense of humor also a plus

Responsibilities

Collaborating with YOLA at Heart of LA faculty to create a shared curriculum, pedagogy and culture inspired by the ideals of El Sistema.
Teaching cello for beginning, intermediate, and advanced YOLA at Heart of LA students.
Lesson planning for the groups and sessions that are taught.
Team teaching with other strings when necessary.
Leading ensembles/conducting as assigned.
Assisting with full orchestra rehearsals; playing in the section, helping students individually, classroom management, collaborating with the YOLA conductors.
Assisting with concerts and special events.
Communicating with the YOLA at Heart of LA director, associate director, program coordinators, and tutor, in order to understand each child holistically.
Attending music pedagogy and tutoring professional development sessions.
Supporting youth development in individual and collective agency and expression through artistry and citizenship.
Preparation and communication with music teachers, YOLA conductors, program director, program managers, LA Phil staff, parents, and the Heart of LA team.
Arranging orchestra parts to suit strings (or other) instruments if needed.
Embodying the El Sistema ideals of mentorship, team teaching and experiential learning by being a role model and mentor to those entering the classroom to learn, such as YOLA students, or volunteers.
Representing the YOLA at Heart of LA program by embodying the Heart of LA core values, and welcoming visitors into the collaborative teaching space.
Other duties as assigned.