Employer: Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)
Position: Cello Instructor for Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)
Hours: approximately 4 hours per week for 48 weeks
Salary: $30 dollars per hour
Start Date: September 2011
How to Apply: send resumes and cover letters by August 28, 2011 to cwitkowski@heartofla.org
Job Summary:
Responsible for teaching beginning cello at YOLA at HOLA, the El Sistema-inspired program that is a joint venture of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA). He or she will ensure the highest quality cello instruction and work closely with the YOLA at HOLA Strings Specialist to create curriculum specific to YOLA at HOLA programming. He or she will also work in close collaboration with other YOLA at HOLA faculty, supporting YOLA at HOLA's philosophy to teach each child holistically and helping to facilitate community and family involvement.
YOLA at HOLA is the second site of Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), Gustavo Dudamel's signature program at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. YOLA is inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that provides a quarter million children with free musical instruments and music instruction. In its second year, YOLA at HOLA will serve 180 students between grades 1-6. Over the last twenty years, Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) 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 has a rich music curriculum focused on cultivating a caring, cooperative and fun community. Curriculum includes: full orchestra, ensembles, early childhood music pedagogy, choir, music language and instrumental instruction. Students also benefit from HOLA's exceptional academic support, creative outlets and social services. 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 HOLA music programming and academic tutoring Monday-Thursday and Saturdays. Participating students come from within a five-mile radius of HOLA, located in and around Lafayette Park, Los Angeles.
Essential Functions:
As a YOLA at HOLA Cello Instructor and faculty member, responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
* Collaborating with YOLA at HOLA Strings Specialist and music faculty to create a shared curriculum, pedagogy, and culture inspired by the ideals of El Sistema
* Teaching beginning cello classes of 20 second and third graders
* Team teaching and running string ensemble rehearsals with 70+ first, second, and third graders
* Assisting with full orchestra rehearsal of 120 children by tuning instruments, playing in the section, and collaborating with the YOLA Conductor
* Communicating with YOLA at HOLA's academic tutors in order to understand each child holistically
* Attending music pedagogy and tutoring professional development sessions
* Preparing and communicating with music teachers, YOLA Conductor, Program Director, LA Phil staff, parents and the HOLA team
Qualifications:
* Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer
* Strong commitment to El Sistema's philosophy of social change through music and the missions of YOLA and HOLA
* Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus
* Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy (Suzuki, etc.)
* Experience teaching beginning strings
* Experience leading and conducting ensembles
* Strong knowledge of string repertoire, curriculum and pedagogy
* Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds; experience working in underserved communities
* 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 and role model for students, parents, and peers as an artist, teacher and citizen
* Ability to work under frequent observation and with a flexible mindset
* Bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Korean a plus
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) 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.
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, with community partners, youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles.
