Opera Philadelphia Teaching Artist Application Sounds of Learning™ Project Overview
Opera Philadelphia’s education program, Sounds of Learning™, strengthens students’ understanding of curricular concepts by correlating those ideas to elements of singing, opera, and music. The program is used as a tool to not only enhance the existing classroom curriculum, but also as an opportunity to expose students to the arts, especially as music curriculum has been dropped by many school districts in the region. Each season Opera Philadelphia’s Community Programs reaches over 4,000 students through Opera in the Classroom, a teaching artist-led program offering six different in-class lessons during a standard 40-45 minute class period. These free lessons concentrate on a variety of topics from anatomy and biology, critical thinking and creative exercises, history and culture, with relevant connections to current events, and more. This extremely popular program, which continues to reach more students in grades K-12 each year, is targeted to public, charter, and parochial schools within Philadelphia. The six different in-class programs which are offered through Opera in the Classroom cater to students’ abilities and grade levels.
Teaching Artist Job Description Opera Philadelphia seeks classically trained singers and instrumentalists to teach in-class curriculum through its education program Sounds of Learning™. These 45 minute classes, created by Opera Philadelphia, foster creative writing and critical thinking, emphasize the anatomy and physiology connected to classical singing technique, introduce elements of opera and classical music, and more. The ideal candidate should have experience in a classroom setting and be adaptable to students’ needs while exhibiting good classroom management skills. Teaching artists should have both teaching and performing experience, preferably in classical voice. All teaching artists should have reliable transportation and a flexible schedule. Type of Employment: Contract Reports to:
Vice President of Community Programs Education Coordinator
Important Staff Relationships: Vice President of Community Programs, Education Coordinator Central Role:
To teach Opera Philadelphia Sounds of Learning™ Opera in the Classroom lessons to students in grades K-12 throughout Philadelphia and to act as a representative for the company at those schools.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Teach interactive 45-minute Sounds of Learning™ arts-integrated program in a classroom setting to students from grades K – 12 • Develop original lessons plans in a team collaborative • Teach students about various aspects of opera, opera production, music and music appreciation, classical vocal technique, and the basics of rhythm and meter • Communicate regularly with Education Coordinator
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Attend mandatory professional development sessions Collaborate with classroom teacher via email and/or phone Independently maintain schedule of classes using scheduling software Update timesheets and travel logs on a weekly basis Regularly submit journal entries Provide Education Coordinator with supply requests when needed Obtain all federal, state and local background clearances Support classroom and school-wide norms Maintain a safe learning environment by partnering with teacher to manage classroom
SKILLS REQUIRED: • Trained in classical vocal technique or classical instrumental technique • Good organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail • Responsible, self-motivated, and able to work with little supervision independently and as a valuable member of a team • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills • Experience teaching in voice, opera, and/or classical music • An interest in working with a culturally diverse inner city school population • Good classroom management skills JOB REQUIREMENTS: • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in music, opera, voice, or music education • Previous experience teaching opera, music, or voice, or working with an outreach program • Must have a flexible work schedule and a reliable mode of transportation To Apply: Candidates must submit: • A cover letter • A résumé or curriculum vitae • A performance sample via audio download or video * • At least two professional references as a teacher or teaching artist, not as a performer *If possible, provide video footage or web links of a performance or demonstration of your artistic practice of or your teaching. Application materials should be sent by email to: Michael Bolton, Vice President of Community Programs at education@operaphila.org. Subject line should read “Teaching Artist Search.” Deadline to submit materials is May 16, 2016. After applications are reviewed, selected applicants will be contacted for phone interviews. Please do not call. Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted. Opera Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer.