Website Ravinia Festival
Ravinia enriches lives through the transformative power of music
Position Title: High String Instructor(s), Sistema Ravinia
Department: Reach Teach Play
Reports To: Program Manager, Sistema Ravinia
Range: $25/hour for non-instruction time – $50/hour for instruction time, non-exempt
Company Description
At Ravinia, we believe in the transformative power of shared, live-music moments and their ability to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world.
Beyond presenting outstanding performances by the world’s greatest musicians, our mission as a not-for-profit organization is to develop broader, more diverse audiences and performers in the music industry with our Reach Teach Play® community engagement and education programs, our Steans Institute’s collaborative and experiential artistic training programs, and more. Together, Ravinia’s initiatives serve tens of thousands of students, families, and emerging professional musicians.
Our 36-acre park is home to North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events, featuring a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers, make up a typical summer season across our open-air and indoor stages, including the annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Position Summary
A flagship Reach Teach Play program, Sistema Ravinia emphasizes social development, community building, and musical excellence through intensive, after-school orchestral music education. Sistema Ravinia programming reaches over 300 3rd-12th grade students in 15 Chicago and Lake County public schools utilizing an El Sistema-inspired model of daily ensemble based instruction.
The High String Instructor(s) leads violin and/or viola studio classes, teaches high string sectionals, and supervises students during all on site program activities for school aged children participating in the Sistema Ravinia Lake County nucleo.
There are two (2) available High String Instructor positions.
The High String Instructor(s) reports to the Program Manager Program Manager, will receive direction and feedback from the Artistic Manager, and works with a team of instructors that are responsible for maintaining a standard of musical excellence and uploading the values and mission of Reach Teach Play. The ideal candidate will be an extraordinary teacher, artist, mentor, and model for Sistema Ravinia students and upholds the belief that every student can succeed in music with access to high quality music instruction and support from their instructor, family, and community.
Key Responsibilities
Lead violin and viola studios and/or high string sectional rehearsals for beginning and intermediate level students
Teach repertoire and develop student technical facility and musicianship in alignment with the Sistema Ravinia curriculum and Artistic Manager
Active participation in instructor and conductor meetings, professional learning, and student/parent meetings as needed
Assess student progress on an ongoing basis
Facilitate and supervise all on site activities including snack, restroom breaks, transitions, dismissal
Work in partnership with Sistema Ravinia Lake County administration to track and maintain student attendance records, supports, and interventions
Cultivate a community environment that contributes to the well-being and agency of every student
Knowledge and Skills Required
Strong knowledge of beginning/intermediate level violin and viola pedagogical practices
Ability to build and maintain a rehearsal culture that set high expectations with warmth and care for each student
Ability to be a motivational mentor and role model for students
Superior interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with parents, students, administrators, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds
Education and Experience
Strong background in music education with experience teaching beginners – intermediate string students and teaching in a group setting
Experience and desire to work with children and adults from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds
Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education preferred) or equivalent job experience
Success Factors
High levels of student engagement, participation, and retention
High quality student outcomes, growth, and development
Representation of Ravinia’s mission and vision, positive collaboration with Ravinia Reach Teach Play administrators, teachers, and community
Work Environment
The schedule for the Elementary School Instructor is: Mondays from 1:45-5:45pm (time is inclusive of a weekly instructor curriculum planning meeting) and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 2:45-5:45pm at Glen Flora Elementary School in Waukegan. The school year runs from mid-September through mid-May; summer programming runs for three weeks in June.
The schedule for the Middle School Instructor is: Tuesdays from 1:45-5:45pm at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park (time is inclusive of a weekly instructor curriculum planning meeting), Wednesdays from 2:45-5:45pm at John Lewis Middle School in Waukegan, and Thursdays from 2:45-5:45pm at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. School year runs from mid-September through mid-May; summer programming runs for three weeks in June
Interaction with young students, adult students, parents and administrators where the safety of the students is paramount
Travel to Ravinia is required occasionally for performances and field trips
Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer
To apply for this job please visit workforcenow.adp.com.
