HMS Piano Teaching Artist

Title: HMS Piano Teaching Artist

Department: Music

Reports to: YOLA at HOLA and Music Program Director

FLSA: Non-exempt 

Hours: On an as-needed basis. Hours are subject to change with academic calendar and/or program needs. 

Start Date: ASAP

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.

 Our core values are: Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Support & Inclusion.

HOLA Music Studios (HMS) is a free music education program made possible through HOLA – Heart of Los Angeles Youth. HOLA has been serving the Rampart District of Los Angeles for over 30 years.  The program currently services over 60 students living in and around the Rampart District. 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 HOLA music programming and academic tutoring. HOLA Music embodies the core values of all HOLA programs. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for teaching in the HMS program at HOLA as a piano Teaching Artist and team-teaching the jazz/rock bands as necessary. They will ensure the highest quality instruction for HOLA students, working in close collaboration with other HOLA Music faculty in order to teach each child holistically. They will work with the HOLA HMS teaching artists, the Associate Music Program Director, YOLA at HOLA, and the Music Program Director closely to provide logistical and administrative support for the HMS Bands and instrument classes.. They will support the HOLA philosophy and community and help facilitate community and family involvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

As the HMS Piano TA, responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 

Teach beginning and intermediate jazz piano classes
Support in jazz/rock band rehearsals
Facilitate a safe space for students to share their work together 
Communication with the YOLA at HOLA and Music Department Director and Associate Director regarding student needs 
Preparation and communication with Teaching Artists, Program Director, parents and the HOLA team 
Attending music pedagogy and tutoring professional development sessions 
Assisting with concerts and special events.  
Have ability to re-work arrangements to fit the instrumentation of the band.
Knowledge of teaching jazz/rock bands within a supportive culture. 
Supporting youth development in individual and collective agency and expression through artistry and citizenship
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 HOLA students, Masters of Arts in Teaching Graduate students or volunteers.
Representing the HOLA program by embodying the HOLA core values, and welcoming visitors into the collaborative learning space. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer 

Commitment to youth development in individual and collective agency and expression through artistry and citizenship

Strong commitment to El Sistema’s philosophy of social change through music, the mission of HOLA, including embedding of HOLA’s Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Positive Communication, Support) in all aspects of artistic direction/work

Resourceful, creative, takes initiative
Ability to be flexible in a fast paced environment
Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required, Fine Arts degree and/or post-graduate degree preferred
Strong knowledge of standard music pedagogy 
Knowledge of restorative justice practices 
Experience teaching piano required
Experience teaching beginning to advanced jazz & rock band
Strong knowledge of  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, collaborate with peers, and to both give and receive constructive and helpful feedback when needed
Bilingual (English, Spanish or Korean a plus)
May perform other duties as assigned.
Must pass CA Background check
VACCINATION POLICY

Heart of Los Angeles requires its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to certain exemptions as required by law. New hires working at Heart of Los Angeles must be fully vaccinated no later than 60 days after hire and submit to additional masking and social distancing requirements.  Employees must also receive an updated COVID-Bivalent booster shot after becoming eligible for it. Please contact HOLA’s Human Resources Department for a copy of the vaccination policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The building environment may not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas.  Outdoor work is expected in some cases.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

As an equal opportunity employer, HOLA values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace.  We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.  We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Salary: $45/hour

Benefits: EAP through The Hartford

Education requirements: None.

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2024

Documents required to apply: Resume, cover letter

How to apply: Apply here