String Teaching Artists: Cello, Violin, or Violin/Viola (multiple positions)

Seeking: Teaching Artists for Cello and Violin, (Violin/Viola)

Position Summary:

ELM is expanding our programs, and we are seeking more teaching artists on orchestral instruments: Cello, Violin, or Violin-Viola.

Teaching Artist (TA) is responsible for teaching ELM students and ensuring the highest quality of ensemble experiences for our students through classes and ensembles. TA will follow ELM curriculum and pedagogy in collaboration with other ELM music faculty and uphold ELM’s philosophy to support each child holistically and help facilitate community and family engagement. 

Hours:  After school hours are Tuesday-Friday, and some group levels meet Saturday mornings. Approximately 6-14 hours a week from late August through early June. After school hours are from 4:00-8:00pm. There is potential for additional teaching hours and subbing as needed. 

Wage:  $65+/hour depends on experience (teaching and prep time); $28/hour for faculty meetings, training and administrative work, professional development workshops. 

Benefits:  Commuter compensation provided if you cross a bridge, paid sick days, 2 floating holidays, and a health insurance reimbursement benefit after 1 year of service.

Dates:  Orientation August 18-20, 2025; Classes start August 26, 2025 - June 9, 2026

Enriching Lives through Music (ELM) is a full scholarship, multi-year, intensive music program located in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, California and serving an immigrant community primarily from Mexico and Central America. We are dedicated to social change through music and to promoting excellent music artistry while supporting our students’ social and emotional growth through music education and community building. ELM is a full scholarship, intensive, multi-year El Sistema-inspired program that empowers under-resourced children ages 7 through 18 from San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically through music education and performance. Started in 2008 with 15 students, ELM now has close to 150 students and four ensemble levels.

Required Skills & Experience

Teaching Artists will have either a Bachelor or Advanced Degree in Music or the Fine Arts and specialize in one or more instruments and/or pedagogy (such as Orff, Suzuki or Kodaly). TAs will have experience teaching individual and ensemble music to young children and a strong commitment to offering high quality music education in a context that prioritizes the social and emotional context of the children and their families. 

• Experience teaching group classes working with students ages 9-12 years old, or ages 13-18 for our middle school and high school levels

Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellent musicianship and artistry as a teacher/performer 
• Adherence to ELM’s commitment to the social and emotional well-being of our students 
• Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent experience; post-graduate degree or equivalent experience a plus 
• Experience teaching group string classes to youth/children
• Suzuki Training and Certification is highly desired for teachers of our beginning string classes (especially for Suzuki Levels 1 & 2) 
• Strong knowledge of ensemble repertoire, curriculum, pedagogy 
• Experience working with children from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community 
• Interest in and ability to be a motivational mentor/role model for students, parents, interns and peers as an artist, citizen and teacher 
• Ability to work under frequent observation; collaborate with peers and both give and receive constructive feedback when needed 
• Experience leading and conducting ensembles is a plus
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus 

Expectations: 

• Hold yourself and your students to the highest possible standards as a role model of professionalism, focus and organization 
• Be organized and punctual, come early enough to be prepared to start each class on time 
• Be prepared before each class with music, materials and teaching intent 
• Be collaborative, open to new ideas, flexible, inclusive, and good humored 
• Be open to feedback and the artistic development process. 
• Respond to phone calls and emails within 24-48 hours as appropriate

Please send a cover letter and resumé to [email protected]

Visit our website www.elmprogram.org to learn more about our program.