Status: Part-time
Reports to:  Music Director
Date: August, 2022

For over four decades, National Dance Institute has been delivering its award-winning arts and learning programs to public school children throughout New York City and around the world in the belief that the arts, and dance and music in particular, have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence.

National Dance Institute (NDI) seeks dynamic musicians to join our team in 2022-2023!

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

  • Has command of the technical aspects of their instrument (piano, percussion, guitar preferred)
  • Has a varied repertoire (pop, classical, funk, jazz, etc.)
  • Plays dynamically, expressively, energetically and with a sense of theater
  • Can Improvise
  • Is able to read music (a plus)
  • Has experience accompanying dance and/or teaching music to children
  • Is flexible and able to adapt to the needs of different school communities
  • Is committed to anti-racist education and culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices
  • Is collaborative; thrives in a team dynamic in which power and responsibility are shared

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Accompany in-person dance classes in NDI partner schools
  • Arrange, compose, and serve as music director for mid-year and culminating performances
  • Participate in required professional development, including a fall retreat, bi-monthly workshops, and all-staff equity trainings
  • Maintain an NDI email account and communicate promptly and professionally with NDI administrative staff, teaching artist teams, and school partners
  • Complete an annual performance review and meet with the NDI music leadership 
  • Submit bi-weekly digital timesheets, adhering to deadlines communicated by NDI

COMPENSATION

Musicians:

  •  are hired on a part-time basis starting at  $40/class, dependent upon experience 
    • Classes typically run for 45 to 50 minutes, and we generally schedule no fewer than three classes per day in succession at any partner school
  • are required to attend paid professional development sessions, including an intensive, multi-day “retreat” at the start of the school year; bi-monthly, all-staff workshops; and specialized trainings for new musicians
  • will receive a  stipend for out-of-school time planning for every residency
  • will receive additional compensation for evening performances and special projects
  • Will receive paid sick and bereavement leave
  • Eligibility for a pay increase following one year of continuous employment

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

  • Ability to travel within NYC’s boroughs.
  • Candidates are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Offers for employment are contingent upon the candidate having successfully completed a background check and fingerprinting with the NYC Department of Education (DOE).
  • Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

To apply, please CLICK HERE.

WHAT’S NEXT?

  • NDI will invite selected candidates for an in-person audition.  
  • Hired musicians are required to participate in a paid  musician training on September 9th.
  • Hired musicians are required to participate in NDI’s paid Teaching Artist Retreat on September 21st -23rd.

MORE ABOUT NDI

About NDI

National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded by New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. Through our award-winning, multidisciplinary arts education programs, we strive to reach every child, transcending barriers of language, culture, and physical and cognitive challenges. In the process, our professional teaching artists foster in students a love of the arts and curiosity about the world, and help our young dancers learn to work together, develop personal standards of excellence, and cultivate a confidence in themselves that supports their success in school and in life. Since its founding in 1976, NDI has impacted the lives of over 2 million children.

In-School Program

NDI reaches thousands of students annually through in-school residencies, advanced scholarship programs, inclusive programming for children with disabilities, teaching artist trainings, and public performances. The centerpiece of NDI’s programming is the In-School Program. This inclusive program is delivered by teams of three teaching artists—two dance teaching artists and a music teaching artist—who teach collaboratively, to ensure deep and authentic learning in the art form and success for every child.

NDI classes take place during the school day and are integrated into the curriculum, ensuring that the arts are an essential component of learning in our partner school communities. NDI primarily serves elementary (K-5) schools; all students in a selected grade or grades participate in the program. In the 2022-23 school year, NDI expects to work with over 6,500 students every week in partnership with close to 50 schools across the New York City region. Students learn fundamentals of dance and music, as well as a range of critical life and social-emotional skills. Every NDI class includes live music, a crucial piece of our unique methodology. NDI’s programs culminate in celebratory performances of artistic quality in which students take the stage to share their achievements with their peers, their families, and the larger community.

NDI Method

NDI teaching artists utilize the NDI Method, which embodies the philosophy of joyful and rigorous learning, the importance of teamwork and respect for others, and the power of performance. These effective teaching techniques, developed and tested over 46 years, equip professional artists to engage and motivate students of all abilities in school settings.

Please contact Sofia Baeta at sbaeta@nationaldance.org with any questions. Thank you for your interest in teaching with NDI

NDI is an equal employment opportunity employer. Our policy is to select, place, train and promote the best-qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude, and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local law.